Definitions of a "good Massachusetts father" are as varied as there are goodfathers, but one thing everyone agrees with is that a good father is a responsible person. A father takes care of his children and keeps, to the best of his abilities, the world around his...
Estate Planning
How to Avoid the High Cost of a Guardianship or Conservatorship in Massachusetts
It doesn't matter how young or healthy you are. Bad things sometimes happen to good people. Whatever your age or health, for example, you might be only one car accident away from ending up mentally incapacitated. Have you prepared to make the legal burden on your...
Special Needs Trust Fairness Act Enacted in Massachusetts
A new estate planning tool - The Special Needs Trust Fairness Act was recently enacted into law. This law permits an individual in Massachusetts with a disability to create his or her own special needs trust under the Social Security Act.Under prior law, only parents,...
Why Does a Massachusetts Divorce Require Estate Plan Changes?
Given the amount of time, energy and money that is typically expended in a divorce, the last thing many people want to hear is that they need to add something else to their already full plates. Sadly though, those in the midst of a divorce would be well served to...
How to Avoid a Guardianship or Conservatorship in Massachusetts
Let's start off by saying that not all guardianships and conservatorships are bad. Guardianships and Conservatorships play a vital role in Massachusetts by allowing caretakers the means to make financial (Conservator of the Property) and health (Guardian of the...
Who Will Care for My Child After I Die?
When one of the parties of a divorce decree in Massachusetts dies, custody usually reverts to the surviving parent. An exception to this is when one of the parent's rights to the children has been terminated. If this is the case, third-parties, such as grandparents,...