Choosing a Trustee: Navigating the Complexities and Key Considerations
Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 509: Listen and Learn -- Third-Party Rights in Contracts (Part 2 - Beneficiaries)
Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 508: Listen and Learn -- Third-Party Rights in Contracts (Part 1 - Rules)
Mamma Mia!: Common Estate Planning Issues for Blended Families
Once Removed Episode 38: The Legacy Mindset: What It Is and How to Build It
John Wick - What You Need To Know about the Corporate Transparency Act
Once Removed Episode 24: Expressing Goals and Intent for the Trust
Once Removed Episode 23: Naming Guardians for Minor Children
Once Removed Episode 22: Building Flexibility into the Estate Plan
Once Removed Episode 20: Helping a Beneficiary Purchase a Home
Life After Love Gone Wrong Podcast: Season 3, Episode 6 - Reshaping Your Legacy: Estate Planning After Your Divorce
Charitable Planning With Guest Stephanie Hood: Navigating Complex Rules and Traps for the Unwary
A Primer On Trusts - A Podcast with Janathan Allen
Once Removed Episode 13: It’s 5 o’Clock: Do You Know Where Your Will Is? A Lesson From Aretha Franklin
Once Removed Episode 12: SLATs and the Case of McKim vs. McKim
Once Removed Episode 11: Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts, or SLATs
Digital Planning Podcast Episode: Family Office Technology Solutions
Digital Planning Podcast Episode: The Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act
What is a self-proving affidavit?
The Importance of Beneficiary Designations
Speaking about death can be difficult but planning ahead brings peace of mind and protects loved ones from unnecessary stress. Having a professionally drafted will ensures your wishes are followed and your estate is handled...more
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is devastating, particularly when their death results from someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions. Financial hardships, including medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income, often...more
An estate plan allows a person to direct where their assets go on their death—having your estate planning in order allows your voice and your wishes to be heard. If you die without an estate plan, your wishes may not be...more
Everyone should have an estate plan. Your estate plan is the roadmap in a crisis, providing guidance to loved ones on how to proceed and ensuring your wishes and goals are met. For those with young children or children with...more
Heirs, Assets, and Arguments: Why Elder Law Attorneys Are Key in Probate Litigation - Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed to heirs or beneficiaries and debts are settled....more
Liam Payne’s sudden and tragic death shocked the world—but what followed should concern anyone without an estate plan. Despite a $32 million fortune, the former One Direction star left no will, leaving behind a young son, an...more
The United States is on the brink of the largest transition of wealth in its history, known as the “Great Wealth Transfer.” By 2045, an estimated $84 trillion in assets will be transferred from baby-boomers to their heirs. In...more
Divorce is a major life change that affects far more than just your relationship status. One crucial—but often overlooked—aspect that needs immediate attention after a divorce is your estate plan. Failing to update your...more
Unintended consequences often occur without proper estate planning. This is common when minor children receive an inheritance. Since minors cannot possess assets directly, the inheritance must be held on behalf of the minor...more
People often assume that if their estate isn’t taxable, they don’t need to have an estate plan. In 2024, a Massachusetts estate tax return must be filed if the value of the deceased person’s gross estate exceeds $2 million. A...more
In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in 2018, I wrote this article to help individuals and families navigate the legal and financial issues that often follow a devastating storm. I remember the incredible outpouring of...more
Can a person claiming to be the decedent’s biological child out of wedlock obtain a court order directing DNA testing of the decedent’s acknowledged children, in order to verify her claim? In Matter of Estate of McGuire, 203...more
One of the most common questions raised by clients is: how often should I update my Will? The answer to this question must be examined on a case-by-case basis and is heavily dependent on each client’s ever-changing present...more
People often assume that if their estate isn’t taxable, they don’t need to have an estate plan. In 2023, a Massachusetts estate tax return must be filed if the value of the deceased person’s gross estate exceeds $1 million. A...more
The position of illegitimate versus legitimate children is often considered consigned to history but for those dealing with trusts on a day-to-day basis, the distinction may remain a live issue. This is illustrated by a...more
When a child is born to parents who are not married, the child oftentimes must satisfy Estates, Powers and Trusts Law (“EPTL”) § 4-1.2 (which requires, among other things, an order of filiation, an acknowledgement of...more
Last Sunday I learned that my mother’s dear friend who is very active, hikes daily, gardens daily, does senior yoga weekly, eats a healthy diet, and has many volunteer and social commitments that keep her happy, went on a...more
• In Laborers' Pension Fund v. Miscevic, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that the Illinois slayer statute is one state statute that is not pre-empted by ERISA. A slayer statute is a law that prevents an...more
An interesting Will interpretation question arose in Matras Estate, 2016 ABQB 728 regarding the meaning of the word “children”. It mattered because the testator's Will left her personal effects and the residue of her estate...more