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Newsletters |
Fall 2011 |
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INSIDE
THIS ISSUE:
►
Fall estate
planning and
asset
protection seminars
► Meet our new associate
► Providing for Tiger
and Fido
► Limited-assistance
representation:
Is
it for me?
Download
this newsletter |
Fall Estate Planning & Asset Protection Seminars
With all of our issues and doubts in these difficult
economic times we find ourselves in, shouldn’t we
maximize our efforts in dealing with those things we can
control?
Estate planning and asset protection are two areas each
of us has control over when dealing with our own lives.
And planning is for everyone, not just the elderly. Find
out how you can protect your family, your pets, and your
assets. The size of your estate does not matter;
protecting the assets you have does. Learn how to not
only preserve your assets but grow them.
Estate planning and asset protection have two things in
common: Neither should be neglected, and more is within
your control than you might think. So come visit, and/or
tell a friend. You’ll be glad you did!
Here are the dates:
• Tuesday, 9/20, 7-9 p.m.
The Manor, 42 W. Boylston St., West Boylston
.......................................................
• Wednesday, 9/21, 7-9
p.m.
The Chocksett Inn, 59 Laurelwood Rd., Sterling
.......................................................
• Thursday, 9/22, 10
a.m.-Noon
Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave.,
Fitchburg
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• Saturday, 9/24, 10
a.m.-Noon
Courtyard by Marriott, 72 Grove St., Worcester
Call 978-342-1914
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Melinda Nadeau
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New, Fresh Faces: Welcome to Melinda!
In May 2011, we welcomed a new associate to the office:
Melinda Nadeau.
Melinda received her bachelor of science in electrical
engineering from WPI in Worcester in 1992 and then
worked for National Grid for 18 years. In 2001, she
graduated from Suffolk University Law School and was
admitted to practice law in Massachusetts in 2002.
For the last nine years, Melinda primarily did pro bono
work through the Volunteer Lawyer Referral Service. She
is a notary public and licensed to practice in the First
District Court of Massachusetts (federal court) as well.
Melinda brings with her knowledge of domestic relations
and bankruptcy law. We have added these services to our
estate planning and elder care services to create a new,
eclectic mix that will only benefit you, the clients.
One of the special advantages that Melinda provides is
limited-assistance representation in the areas of both
family and probate law. All limited-assistance services
are offered at a flat fee. (See the article on page two
to learn more on LAR.)
Please join me in welcoming Melinda to our office. We
look forward to many years of working with her!
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The New Massachusetts Pet Trust
Law
How to
provide for Tiger and Fido in your estate plans
Governor Patrick signed a
new law in January authorizing the creation of a trust
to provide for the care of your pets should you become
incapacitated or die. The new law, “An Act Relative to
Trusts for the Care of Animals” will be an addition to
Chapter 203 of the General Laws (section 3C) and is now
effective.
Pets are living longer and are an integral part of their
families’ lives. Under the new law, pet owners can
create enforceable trusts to provide for their beloved
pets, specify both a trustee for the trust and a
caretaker for the pets, and be assured that their wishes
and directions are carried out.
The trust will terminate upon the death of the animal or
upon the death of the last surviving animal. At that
time, any remaining trust property can be transferred as
the trust specifies.
This new law will help to alleviate the burdens placed
upon shelters and rescue organizations when the death of
an owner results in abandonment or surrender.
Want to know more? Give us a call, and we can make sure
you take full advantage of the new pet trust law.
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”Law is order, and good law is
good order.”
-- Aristotle
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Limited-Assistance Representation: How Can This Help Me?
The Probate and Family Courts have recognized that not
all people can afford representation. Rather than have
more people representing themselves (pro se) and not
understanding the processes or documents involved with
their cases, the Court has allowed properly trained
attorneys to offer limited-assistance representation, or
LAR for short. What this means for clients is that now
attorneys can review and create documents for them
without representing them, as long as the attorney
involvement is footnoted in the document.
Attorneys can now offer to represent clients for a piece
of a case. For example, they can provide representation
during a pretrial motion or motion for temporary orders.
This allows clients to have representation only when
they need it, keeping costs to a minimum while assuring
the courts that the clients have received counsel.
If you think you might be a candidate for LAR, give
us a call at 978-342-1914. |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE: In
accordance with rules established by the Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts, this bulletin must be
labeled "advertising." It is designed to provide general
information for clients and friends of the firm and
should not be construed as legal advice, or legal
opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. This
bulletin and its contents are designed for general
information only. The information presented herein
should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor
the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. |
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