Blog
Plain-language estate planning.
Real questions Ralph hears from Massachusetts families, answered the way they come up at the kitchen table.
- Wills7 min read
Massachusetts Guns and Wills: Why Your LTC Can't Be Inherited
Your guns can be left to a loved one in your will, but only if your estate plan accounts for Massachusetts firearms law. Here's what actually works.
Trusts4 min readSpecial Needs Trusts in Massachusetts: Keep Benefits Intact
A direct inheritance can disqualify your disabled family member from SSI and MassHealth. Here's how a special needs trust protects both the money and the benefits.
Firearms & Probate4 min readWhat to Do if You Find a Parent's Gun After They Have Passed, and How to Avoid This Mess
Your parents have just passed away, and you must now, as so many had before, clean out and organize their house of all of their tangible personal property. One of your children, here to help, but caus...
Health Care Proxy4 min readHealth Care Proxy vs. Living Will in Massachusetts
Confused about the difference between a Health Care Proxy and a living will? Here's what Massachusetts law actually says, and what you need to have in place before you end up at Salem Hospital or Beverly Hospital.
General3 min readStop Waiting: Why Estate Planning Can't Be Put Off
Most people mean to do their estate planning. They just haven't gotten around to it yet. Here's why that gap between intention and action can cost your family dearly.
Beverly Farms1 min readWest Beach Stickers: Common Question
Here's a common question I get from Beverly Farms Residents: Can I put my West Beach Sticker into a Trust or pass it on using a will? No. No you cannot. Your Will and your Trust are capable generally ...
Real Estate3 min readUse and Occupancy Clauses: Controlling Homes After Death
Family situations are different and fluid. For many, protecting and transferring the use and ownership of Real Estate is a major concern. When families have multiple children, homes tend to be a point...
Tax Planning2 min readPortability in Estate Planning: Maximizing Your Estate Tax Exemption
Portability can effectively double your estate tax exemption if you're married. Here's how it works and what you need to file to preserve it.
Foundations1 min readFirst Post: Time for the Basics
Estate planning ensures proper asset management and distribution after death, allowing you to protect loved ones and minimize complications. The process involves creating documents outlining how asset...
Digital Assets1 min readPasswords Passwords Passwords
One often overlooked aspect of Estate Planning involves managing your "Digital Assets," spanning from emails to various online accounts. Despite its seeming triviality, the devil lies in the details. ...
Wills2 min readUnderstanding the Last Will and Testament
Sitting on the beach in Beverly, whenever someone asks what I do, and they hear I am an Attorney focusing on Estate Planning, I hear the same general answer. "Oh, I need a Will". Everyone deems their ...