You’ve spent decades building wealth worth keeping. The question nobody wants to ask is whether the people you’re leaving it to are ready for it. Not ready in a legal sense. Not “is the will signed” ready. Ready in the way that matters: Do your kids understand money? Do they know what you’ve built and […]
Trusts
Crypto and Your Estate Plan: Protecting Digital Assets from Probate
As more wealth is held online, many investors now own cryptocurrency, exchange-based digital assets, non-custodial wallets, and NFTs alongside traditional accounts. These holdings can create estate-planning issues that do not exist with conventional assets, because legal authority alone may not be enough if no one can identify the asset, satisfy a platform’s procedures, or access the wallet […]
What Happens to a Trust After Death? It Depends on the Trust’s Terms
When someone dies with assets held in a trust, the successor trustee steps in to administer them under the document’s terms. For beneficiaries, the practical questions are often immediate: Will assets be distributed outright or remain in trust? Who will manage them? And what tax rules may apply? What Determines Whether Trust Assets Receive a […]
Should You Leave Your Children an Inheritance Outright or in Trust?
Parents often want to help their children while also reducing the risk that an inheritance could be affected by divorce, creditor claims, bankruptcy, lawsuits, or a period of poor judgment. Framed that way, the real decision is not only what age a child should inherit, but whether and when the inheritance should pass into the […]
Massachusetts Professional Corporation Shares: Probate, Trusts, and the 12-Month Rule
The Unique Challenge of Massachusetts Professional Corporation Shares In Massachusetts, professional corporation (PC) shares, such as those in a medical, legal, or dental practice, are subject to special ownership and transfer rules. Chapter 156A generally limits ownership and transfers to people or entities that qualify under the statute, and the applicable professional licensing board may […]
Estate Planning for Physicians and Dentists: Protecting Your Professional Corporation (PCs) in Massachusetts
Owners of professional corporations (PCs), such as physicians, dentists, and other licensed professionals, face specific estate planning challenges in Massachusetts. The law restricts ownership of PC shares to licensed individuals, so a thoughtful plan is essential to ensure that your heirs receive the value of your business, even if they cannot legally own the shares […]
Family Meetings: How to Talk About Estate Planning, Wealth, and Legacy
A family meeting is a chance to talk through estate planning, who may serve as trustee or personal representative, long-term care plans, and how the family handles money and wealth together, before a crisis forces those conversations. With a financial advisor there to help guide the discussion, these meetings may help reduce misunderstandings, create opportunities […]