Creating a comprehensive estate plan is one of the most important and meaningful gifts you can give to your loved ones and to yourself over the course of your life. The prospect of meeting with an estate planning attorney for the first time, however, can be a bit daunting. For this reason, people often procrastinate when it comes to estate planning. If you have made the wise choice to get started on your estate planning journey, knowing the answers to some common questions may help you feel … [Read more...] about Commonly Asked Estate Planning Consultation Questions
Five Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Probate of a New Hampshire Estate
Serving as the Executor of a New Hampshire estate is often far more complicated than anticipated. In addition to coping with the death of someone close to you, you may suddenly become responsible for identifying and protecting property, addressing creditor claims, handling taxes, maintaining real estate, complying with court requirements, and eventually distributing assets to beneficiaries. As Executor, you occupy a fiduciary position, which means you must administer the estate in accordance … [Read more...] about Five Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Probate of a New Hampshire Estate
Tax Planning for Your New Hampshire Estate Plan
Taxes may not be the first issue that comes to mind when you begin creating an estate plan, but tax considerations can influence each of the decisions you make within your plan and ultimately determine how much of your wealth reaches the people and organizations you intend to benefit. While New Hampshire residents have an important advantage because the state does not impose its own estate tax or inheritance tax, federal estate and gift taxes can still affect larger estates, while capital gains … [Read more...] about Tax Planning for Your New Hampshire Estate Plan
Pursuing Guardianship Over a Parent in Massachusetts
Watching a parent lose the ability to make safe decisions because of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, a traumatic brain injury, or another serious medical condition can be extremely difficult. You may find yourself struggling to balance respect for your parent's independence with the need to protect them from financial exploitation, medical neglect, or unsafe living conditions. In some situations, obtaining legal authority to act on your parent's behalf becomes necessary. Massachusetts law … [Read more...] about Pursuing Guardianship Over a Parent in Massachusetts
Understanding Executor Duties and Responsibilities in New Hampshire
Being named as the Executor of a loved one's estate is both an honor and a significant legal responsibility. By selecting you to serve in this role, the Testator has demonstrated confidence in your judgment, integrity, and ability to carry out their final wishes. Although an Executor's primary responsibility may be distributing assets, you may also be responsible for managing legal, financial, and administrative matters while complying with New Hampshire probate law and fulfilling your fiduciary … [Read more...] about Understanding Executor Duties and Responsibilities in New Hampshire
How Might a Trustee Breach a Fiduciary Duty in New Hampshire?
Under New Hampshire law, a Trustee serves in a fiduciary capacity and is legally obligated to administer trust assets exclusively for the benefit of the beneficiaries while carrying out the intentions expressed in the trust agreement. The New Hampshire Trust Code, which incorporates many principles of the Uniform Trust Code, establishes the legal standards governing Trustee conduct. Those standards require a Trustee to administer the trust in good faith, exercise reasonable care and prudence, … [Read more...] about How Might a Trustee Breach a Fiduciary Duty in New Hampshire?
What You Need to Know about the New Hampshire Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
While many people focus on creating a Last Will and Testament or revocable living trust when they think about estate planning, they often overlook the financial impact that a lengthy stay in a nursing home or other long-term care facility can have on their estate. The high cost of long-term care causes many seniors to turn to Medicaid for help. Qualifying for Medicaid, however, does not necessarily mean your assets are permanently protected. Federal law requires every state to operate a Medicaid … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about the New Hampshire Medicaid Estate Recovery Program
What You Need to Know about a New Hampshire Will Contest
The death of a loved one is often followed by a period of grief, uncertainty, and important legal responsibilities. If the deceased left a Last Will and Testament, the probate process typically begins with determining whether that document is legally valid and should control the distribution of the estate. In many cases, probate proceeds without disagreement. Occasionally, though, family members or other interested individuals question whether the Will truly reflects the Testator's wishes or … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about a New Hampshire Will Contest
Property Transfers After Death in New Hampshire: Why the Way You Title Property Matters
One of the many benefits of creating a comprehensive estate plan is the ability to determine who receives your assets after you are gone. Even the most carefully drafted estate planning documents, however, may not be able to accomplish this important goal if your assets are not titled appropriately. The way your home, vacation property, investment real estate, or other valuable assets are titled often determines what happens to that property after your death, regardless of what your Last Will … [Read more...] about Property Transfers After Death in New Hampshire: Why the Way You Title Property Matters
Remarriage and Asset Protection in Your New Hampshire Estate Plan
Remarrying can bring renewed happiness, but it also introduces estate planning challenges that are very different from those faced during a first marriage. By the time you remarry, you may have accumulated significant assets, own a home, operate a business, or have children and grandchildren from a previous relationship whom you want to protect. At the same time, you likely want to provide financial security for your new spouse if you die first. Accomplishing all these objectives requires … [Read more...] about Remarriage and Asset Protection in Your New Hampshire Estate Plan
