If someone without a Will passes away in Massachusetts, the law states how their property is distributed. When that person is married, but has no children, many people think that all property would pass to their spouse. But that’s not actually what the law says. Let’s say for example we have a couple named Carrie… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Parents of Minor Children
How Property Is Distributed Without A Will
Many people pass away without a will in place. When meeting with clients who have no Will I like to let them know how their property would pass if they died without a Will in place. This way, even if they decide not to proceed they will at least know what will happen, and explaining… Continue Reading
Quick Tip – Nominating A Couple To Serve As Guardians
Many times when people are choosing potential guardians for their minor children they will choose a couple. “My sister and her husband will be our primary guardians, and my husband’s brother and his wife will be our alternates.” I always ask another questions after this – if only one person in the couple was available… Continue Reading
How Should I Divide My Assets?
A lot of times when I’m meeting with clients they will ask me “how should we leave our stuff?” They have children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, charities they like to support and they are having trouble figuring out what to leave to whom. Obviously, I can’t answer it for them so I give the… Continue Reading
Changing Guardianship Nominations
If you find yourself need to change the guardianship nominations for your children, there are some steps you need to take. All parents of minor children (and parents of special needs children) should nominate guardians in legal documents so that if the parents become unable to care for their children, temporarily or permanently, someone has… Continue Reading
What Does My Lawyer Need to Know?
Before I meet with clients, I send them questionnaire so they can gather information that will help us both be more productive in our meeting. In general, clients bring this paper work back in one of three ways: 1. Completely filled out with attachments and tabs, 2. Partially filled out (meaning they put their name… Continue Reading
Summer Trip Checklist
This will not be one of those thrilling posts from a fashion magazine about the latest resort wear to bring on a trip. Nor will it be like the articles I read on the 10 things to pack for a successful triathlon. No, this is just your standard (but important) estate planning check list. It’s… Continue Reading
“My friends asked me to be named guardian of their child.”
There are sensitive issues to deal with here, but since it involves the possibility of raising someone else’s children it’s important to be open and honest when talking to your friends or siblings. Continue Reading
Talking to Your Child’s Prospective Guardians
Once you have narrowed down your choices for a prospective guardian to take care of your children if something happened to both parents, it’s important to talk to those people to make sure they want to serve, and understand what it means. Some of the things you will want to talk about: Whether the prospective… Continue Reading
Myths About Choosing Guardians for Your Children
The Huffington Post had a recent article on 4 dangerous myths about choose guardians for your children. The myths in the article are: 1. That there is a perfect match for your children, you just have to figure out who that is and then you’ll get the Will in order . The truth is, there… Continue Reading