Fundamental Estate Planning Strategies
Wills and trusts are the distinct tools you can use to reach your estate planning goals. Whether you should choose to plan your estate using a will or in combination with a trust depends on your assets and your specific objectives.
At the Gemma Law Office in Braintree, Massachusetts, we offer a free initial consultation to discuss how wills, trusts and other tools can help you assemble an ideal estate plan. South Shore wills and trusts attorney Anthony Gemma provides comprehensive estate planning services to families in Massachusetts.
Advantages of Using a Trust
A basic estate plan should include a will, a power of attorney and a health care proxy. However, for most people who have savings or valuable assets such as a home, a trust can be a very important and effective estate planning vehicle.
A trust allows you to:
- Avoid the delays and cost of probate proceedings
- Maintain privacy about your family's financial affairs
- Plan for disability; a trust can include a set of instructions for how you would want financial matters to be handled if you someday cannot
- Protect your surviving loved ones from creditors or financial predators
- Prevent you and your spouse from unintentionally disinheriting your children
- Promote and implement your intentions and goals
- Encourage values such as self-sufficiency, financial stability and charitable giving
- Provide protection for children or loved ones susceptible to reckless or ill-advised spending
- Protect yourself and your family's assets from lawsuits and divorce judgments
- Provide estate planning for non-traditional families
- Protect and supplement the needs of an individual with a disability or special needs
- Protect, maintain and build your family's wealth for future generations
- Accomplish your estate tax planning goals
There are many different kinds of trusts, including special needs trusts and asset protection trusts. The right trust can be the centerpiece of your estate plan. A last will and testament can be drafted to pour over any assets that were not in the trust at death.
Wills in Massachusetts
A will is one of the most commonly used estate planning tools. Using a will, you can outline your wishes for the distribution of your property, develop plans for your children or create a trust. In order to create a valid will, however, there are certain steps that must be followed and specific language that must be used. We can help you understand your options and draft a will that is custom tailored to you and your needs.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Braintree Living Will Attorney
Make today the day you start planning wisely for the future. Contact us by telephone or e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation with lawyer Anthony Gemma. Our Braintree office is easily accessible from Boston, as well as MetroWest and South Shore communities, and has free parking and disability access.
