Summer Auto Accidents in Massachusetts Summer is a time of sunshine, beach days, and barbecues. Unfortunately, it is also a time of increased auto accidents in Massachusetts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, August is the peak month every year for car accidents in the United States. While it may seem strange that the seemingly carefree days of this season come with such a high collision count, this is the result of a number of factors that summer itself brings. 1. An Increase in Traffic Volume Summer is the vacation season and with that comes a far greater numbe ..read more

What to Put in a Trust As you build assets, it is important that you make sure that you manage them responsibly. An excellent way to protect many forms of property is by putting them into a trust. What is a trust? A trust is a legal arrangement that allows a third party, known as the trustee, to control and direct assets on behalf of beneficiaries. A person would open a trust to ensure that ownership of their property is transferred to the proper recipients. It is an excellent way to both protect your property and help your loved ones to avoid a long probate process after you pass away. A trus ..read more

Power of Attorney Protects Servicemembers There are a lot of loose ends to tie up before being shipped overseas. Storing belongings, canceling memberships, saying goodbye to loved ones. While many of the preparations one makes before being deployed will ensure that nothing will arise while they are away, there is always the chance that something will. It is for this reason that, before they’re shipped off, more and more servicepersons choose to sign a Power of Attorney. What is a Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney is a document that assigns a family member or a friend as your attorney-in-f ..read more

What is Included in a Typical Revocable Trust Estate Plan? Pourover Will – This is a will that leaves everything to your trust. Theoretically, if you properly fund (put all of your assets into) the trust, there should be no need for a will. However, there are certain circumstances under which it is possible for you to die with assets that are still in your name personally. Through this type of will, you would leave everything in such a class of property (“probate assets”) to your trust, because if this property had been in the trust, it would have been distributed as per the terms of the trust ..read more

The Four Types of Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney allows you, known as the principal, to appoint someone to make financial and other decisions on your behalf if you no longer can due to illness or diminished mental capacity. There are four types of Power of Attorney designed for specific situations. Let’s look at each one. General Power of Attorney General – A General Power of Attorney provides broad powers to your agent or “attorney-in-fact” – the person you appoint to manage your affairs. This person is your legal representative who can pay your bills, make financial transactions, and ..read more

Buying or selling a house in Massachusetts is complicated and things don’t always go as they should. While a real estate agent may typically handle the process, a real estate attorney can make the transaction go smoothly should any legal issues arise, either during the process or long afterwards. Reasons You Need a Real Estate Attorney Do I Need a Real Estate Lawyer? Unlike a realtor, real estate attorneys can advise buyers and sellers on legal matters regarding selling or buying property, and offer advice to assure that if there is a problem after the closings, rights are protected. The attor ..read more

Did you know that half of Americans do not have a Will? Most people think when they pass away their estate and assets automatically go to their family. This is not always true. Not having an Estate Plan can lead to heartache, litigation, and hefty costs. Here are some of the most common Estate Planning mistakes people make according to the National Law Review.  1. Not Having an Estate Plan When a person dies without a Will in place, the door is open for the state to step in and decide how to distribute the estate and assets. A Will, just one part of an effective Estate Plan, spells out on ..read more

Hitting the lottery is a life-changing event – a dream come true. Managing your lottery winnings the right way can prevent that dream from becoming a nightmare.  Handled properly, you, your family, and your heirs can live in financial bliss for many years. Here are some suggestions to enjoy your new lifestyle. In the Public Eye Winners of major Massachusetts Lottery prizes are required to have their picture taken by lottery officials. The picture, along with the winner’s name and hometown, will appear in local newspapers – in print and on their websites – as well as the lottery’s website ..read more

What happens if you can’t make your own medical decisions? That’s where a Health Care Proxy comes in. This legal document allows you to nominate someone to make medical treatment decisions for you. How Health Care Proxy Works The Health Care Proxy names a person you nominate to act on your behalf and provides explicit instructions about your medical care wishes. This ensures that your health care choices regarding treatment are made in accordance with your requests. The proxy goes into effect only when you become incapacitated and cannot make medical decisions on your own. Should you become co ..read more

When someone dies without a Will in place, it is known as intestate. In this case, the state steps in and decides how that person’s estate and assets will be distributed. Dying without a Will can create a family feud where heirs and relatives could get locked into a legal battle seeking their share. Intestate Succession This is the legal procedure where the probate court would take charge of a decedent’s assets and decides who gets what pursuant to a statutory scheme. Typically, the assets – real property, money, investments – are divvied up and distributed in “succession,” by default: first t ..read more