Estate Planning Services
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We focus on assisting people with trust and estate issues.
Unlike many other attorneys, Joel Bernstein, the principal, chose about 30 years ago to focus on one area. He wanted to be, as his father used the word, 'competent.' We want to make the process of asset transfer more streamlined. Both upon incapacity and death. To make it more understandable. And to keep an eye on reducing taxes and administration delay and costs. We want to make the entire area less stressful. Estate planning without post death knowledge is not enough. The two areas of law are connected. Each is important. Daily we draft complete estate plans. This involves speaking with people about their family and assets. After a written fee agreement is signed, we prepare documents for review. After review, any small alterations are made and final signing of documents is usually in about 4 weeks of initial meeting. We provide Estate Planning Services in the following areas:
Massachusetts Trusts Trusts are developed in many alternative formats. They are used in both business and personal settings. For personal trusts, they are split between revocable and irrevocable trusts. Each type has different goals, yet look alike at first glance. Often a trust will replace a 'MA Last Will and Testament' as the central document in your estate planning. By the way, we don't use all those words to describe a will. We like plain English. 'A will' suffices. While growing more popular, not all need a revocable living trust. Instead, this approach should be pursued when clear goals are desired. Trusts can help achieve both tax and non-tax goals. For more information, see our Trust Services. Massachusetts Wills Wills can be right for some. They're more commonly used when asset values are lower or in cases that a trust would not add value. You choose between a will-based plan or a trust-based plan after considering number of facts you individually face. Discussing what would happen in the absence of a will or trust is a starting point. For example, a will can be fine when all assets are in accounts that have beneficiaries listed for them. Say, IRA or life insurance. For more information, read setting up a Will. Updating a current will or trust Over your lifetime, you may pass through several different estate plans, as your life changes. For many, 20 or more years may go by between estate plan reviews. We keep in touch with clients. Twice a year we remind them of changes that life can bring, wanted or not. Post Death Administration Services After death, it can be a confusing time for all. We aim to make it much less overwhelming. MA Wills and Trusts offers post death services for both existing and new clients in their time of need. We offer several Post Death Administration services. |