A comprehensive planning process to keep your loved ones out of court & out of conflict.
Our 4-Meeting Process
1
What happens if something happens?
We’ll start with a 2-hour Planning Session to show you what would happen to your assets and loved ones if something happened to you, and then we’ll design a plan that addresses your concerns and accomplishes your planning goals.
You are in the driver’s seat. Your plan is always personalized and designed to meet the unique needs of your family.
2
Cross the t’s, dot the i’s.
A shorter follow-up to our Planning Session, this 1-hour Design Meeting is intended to make any remaining plan decisions and answer questions that may have come up after we last spoke — trust us, it happens every time!
3
Let’s make it official.
Join us at our conveniently located and family-friendly Main Street Melrose office, where we’ll sign-seal (but not deliver!) your documents.
Why not deliver?! Because we thrive on organization, so we’ll get your binder of documents in order and scan everything you signed to provide you with easy-to-send or -print digital copies.
4
It’s a family affair.
Join us back in the office to review and pick up your binder, or we’ll ship it to your door and review it with you virtually.
We welcome your family to join us virtually, in the office, or a combo of both. Our Family Meeting is designed not only to explain the legalese of your docs, but also to start the often-difficult conversation about money, death, and legacies.
Is that all?
Definitely not.
We know from experience that your plan only works if it keeps up with changes in your life and changes in the law. That’s why we invite you back every 3 years to review your plan.
We feel so strongly about the importance of these regular check-ins that we include them as part of your planning fee at no added cost.
FAQs
What is estate planning, and why is it important?
Estate planning is the process of creating a comprehensive legal strategy to manage your assets, both during your lifetime and after your passing. In Massachusetts, estate planning is crucial for several reasons. First, it allows you to specify how your assets will be distributed among your heirs and beneficiaries, ensuring your wishes are honored. Second, it helps minimize estate taxes and administrative costs, potentially saving your loved ones a significant financial burden. Finally, it allows you to appoint trusted individuals to make medical and financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Proper estate planning ensures peace of mind for you and your family
What are the key elements of an estate plan?
Our personalized estate plans include the following planning tools:
Last Will: A will outlines how you want your assets to be distributed after your death. It also allows you to name guardians for minor children and specify an executor to manage the estate.
Trust: Trusts can be used to protect assets, avoid probate, and provide for specific needs of beneficiaries. Common types include revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and special needs trusts.
Healthcare Proxy and Power of Attorney: These documents appoint individuals to make healthcare and financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
Beneficiary Designations: Ensuring that your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets have up-to-date beneficiary designations can streamline the transfer of these assets.
Estate Tax Planning: In Massachusetts, estate tax laws may apply to estates over a certain threshold. Estate planning can help minimize the impact of estate taxes through strategies such as gifting and trusts.