Familias multiespecie: ¿Una nueva realidad?
Pets and Divorce
It is easy to mistakenly assume that naming a guardian in estate planning documents is only critical for individuals with minor children. In reality, however, appointing a guardian is just as important for parents as it is...more
To many of us, our pets are members of the family. However, they are often overlooked in putting together an estate plan, where the traditional focus is on the disposition of a client’s assets and naming guardians for his or...more
Betty White wasn’t just America’s beloved “Golden Girl”—she was also a passionate, lifelong advocate for animal welfare. As a longtime trustee of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) and a dedicated supporter of...more
Whether you’re a dog lover, a cat person, or a caretaker for another kind of feathered, scaly, or furry friend, pets are an important part of our lives. Yet when individuals are creating their estate plan, their pet’s future...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
Fortunately, your worry was solved by the Massachusetts Pet Trust Law, M.G.L.A. 203E § 408, which allows the creation of a trust during the settlor/owner’s lifetime for the continuing care of a pet or other animal should the...more
Many of us consider our pets an important part of our family and worry about their care and well-being when we are no longer able to make decisions about their care. As animal lovers ourselves, we have worked with many...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 Grinch lives alone in a mountaintop cave with his dog, Max, and no medical attention for his undersized heart and oversized unpleasantness. The Grinch observes the noisy holiday festivities of Whoville from afar. The...more
When my kids started to feel isolated and bored spending so much time at home due to the pandemic, we volunteered to be foster parents for a sweet four-week old kitty, Marigold. She was a fuzzball so tiny that I could hold...more
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are taking action to make sure that their affairs are in order – reviewing guardian nominations for their minor children, funding their revocable trusts and, in some cases, making...more
The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has sparked an interest in people all over the world to make sure their affairs are in order in case of sudden death or incapacitation. Many pet owners consider their...more
Beezer the cat can be a member of the family, but what happens to Beezer or [insert your pet's name] after you are gone? How can you ensure your pet will be cared for? One option is to create a pet trust. While you can give...more
In my senior year of high school, my great aunt had chest pains and went to the ER. Unfortunately, she died that same night, and my dad and his cousin were left with the task of finding a new home for Sherman, her beloved...more
Have you considered your pet or pets when planning your estate? If not, you should, according to The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization....more
Most people remember the late Leona Helmsley as the convicted tax felon famous for uttering the words “only little people pay taxes”, but she is also remembered for having a will that left a $12 million trust fund for her...more
Generally, trusts must have one or more human beneficiaries, but there’s an exception for certain “purpose” trusts. One popular type of purpose trust is a charitable trust. But don’t overlook the noncharitable purpose (NCP)...more