A colleague recently had a new client come to see them. The man's father had passed away, and the son had found the Will…the Will that his father had purchased online and signed, thinking his wishes would then be honored. Sadly, they won't be.
The form Will that the father had filled out had spaces [...]
Estate planning, elder law, special needs, probate, guardianship. Leanna Hamill, Hingham
Category Archives: Wills
The Dangers of Do It Yourself, A Cautionary Tale
Do You Need to Change Your Will When Your Finances Change?
As you read about the state of finances in the world, and look at your own financial situation – you may be wondering if you need to change your Will or Trust to account for the change in your finances. As is often the answer, it depends.
It depends on how the document is written, [...]
Should You Put Burial Instructions in Your Will?
I often have clients ask me if they should include their burial wishes in their Wills. I always tell them "no." Your Will is the document that outlines how you want your property divided after your death, and hopefully it will not be the first thing people are reaching for when you pass away.
Your [...]
The Importance of Naming an Alternate Beneficiary in Your Will
I have posted before about the importance of naming an alternate beneficiary on your life insurance policies, so that the proceeds can be distributed to someone else in the event that the primary beneficiary predeceases you. However, it is likewise important to name alternate beneficiaries in your Will.
For example, if you have one child, [...]
Do you know where your Will is?
I often meet with clients who have Wills that were drawn up 20, or more, years ago. Usually the clients have copies of the Will and the originals are with the attorney who drafted the Will. And many times the clients have moved around since the original drafting, and many more times the attorney has [...]
Charitable Giving – Being Specific with Your Wishes
Many of my clients want to remember certain charities in their Wills or Trusts. They may say "I want to leave money to my church" or "I’d like to set aside some funds for the Salvation Army" or perhaps another charity that has local and national branches. One thing to keep in mind when thinking [...]
ABA Guide to Wills and Estates
The American Bar Association has book called the Guide to Wills and Estates available for downloading from their website. The book guides you through the different estate planning tools, and talks about how planning now makes things easier for your family later.
While advice from a book does not replace a relationship with an attorney, [...]
Should You Discuss Your Plans with Your Children?
Clients often wonder if they should share their estate plans with their children. Now, these are not clients who are setting up elaborate trusts with millions of dollars that will flow down to future generations, these are just regular people who worked hard all of their lives and are now trying to figure out how [...]
Changed your mind? Make sure you change your will.
The Boston Globe had an article today about a Rhode Island man who had disinherited his two young children, and their mother’s fight in court to obtain some of the estate for their use.
What struck me about the article were the last few paragraphs:
Family members on both sides of the dispute agree on [...]
When Do you Buckle Your Seat-Belt?
Do you buckle your seat belt when you get in the car? It’s easy, doesn’t take much time, and you know you’ll be protected in the event of an accident.
Do you figure that since things are fine now, you’ll wait to fasten your seat belt until you feel the car start spinning out of [...]
Leanna@HamillLawOffice.com | 160 Old Derby St., Suite 456 | Hingham, Ma 02043 | Phone: 781.749.2284 | Fax: 866.573.6429
Advertising. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this web site must be labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general information for clients and friends of the firm and should not be construed as legal advice, or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. By using this site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Leanna Hamill is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only.
Advertising. In accordance with rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this web site must be labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general information for clients and friends of the firm and should not be construed as legal advice, or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. By using this site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the attorney. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state. Leanna Hamill is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only.