Probate and Trust Administration

The attorneys in our Probate and Trust Administration Group assume responsibility for the often-complex process of settling estates ranging in size from the relatively modest to multi-million-dollar estates.   This includes the preparation and filing of documentation with the probate court, the collection and appraisal of estate assets, the payment of debts and expenses, the preparation and filing of estate tax and fiduciary income tax returns, post-mortem tax planning, and the distribution of assets to the beneficiaries. Our attorneys and paralegals have many years of experience in providing these services in a thoughtful and efficient manner designed to minimize stress on family members.

Our attorneys often act in a fiduciary capacity, serving as trustees of both revocable and irrevocable trusts that we help establish for our clients. In our role as trustee, we give personal attention to the needs of trust beneficiaries while paying careful attention to the investment of trust assets and keeping in mind the goals and objectives of the individual who established the trust.

Allen Falke Published in Kiplinger "To Protect Your Kids, Consider These Estate Planning Steps"

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Allen Falke Published in Kiplinger "What to Discuss With Your Aging Parents as They Get Older"

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Patricia Davidson was quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article, "Widow Gets Appreciation on her Share of Estate"

In the absence of language in a premarital agreement suggesting otherwise, is a surviving spouse entitled to benefit from the appreciation of the value of her share of the assets in her late husband's estate occurring in the years between his death and the settlement of the estate?

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Joint Ownership: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

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Extension of 2020 Federal Tax Return Filing and Payment

03/19/2021[ read full story ]

Patricia Davidson to Present "Updates in Probate Law" at the 2021 MBA Probate Law Conference

11/08/2021[ read full story ]

Trusts and Estates Newsletter - Spring 2018

06/01/2018[ read full story ]

PLANNING TO KEEP CONTROL

This article was co-authored by Arthur Bergeron and Leah Kofos. Does this dilemma sound familiar?  On one hand, you want to keep control of your life and make all of financial and medical decisions yourself.  On the other hand, you …

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Living with Memory Loss

Thirty years ago next month, my mother died in a nursing home.  Back then, there weren’t open discussions, shared knowledge, or resources available to people with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Most seniors died from “hardening of the arteries” or just “old age.” …

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Financial Planning for Seniors

This article was authored by elder law attorneys Arthur P. Bergeron and Leah Kofos. To whom do you trust to give your financial planning advice?  Your accountant?  Your kids?  The guy you have coffee with at Dunkin Donuts?  Your lawyer? …

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Extension of 2020 Massachusetts Tax Return Filing and Payment

This article was authored by Allen J. Falke, Tracy A. Craig, and Leah Kofos. Following the recent federal extension for tax filings, Massachusetts has announced that it will extend the filing and payment deadline for individual income tax returns until …

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Extension of 2020 Federal Tax Return Filing and Payment

This article was authored by Allen J. Falke, Tracy A. Craig, and Leah Kofos. The Internal Revenue Service announced yesterday that the federal income tax filing and payment deadline for individuals will be extended until May 17, 2021. This extension …

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A Few Tips for Tax Season

This article was authored by elder law attorneys Arthur P. Bergeron and Leah A. Kofos. I love being at Mirick O’Connell because when my elder clients inevitably call me at this time of year asking tax questions, I can always …

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Planning to Stay Home

Most seniors, like my friends Frank and Mary, hope they can live in their home until they die.  But hope is not a plan. Here are some tips: Make your home safe. The older you get the greater the risk …

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The Planning You Need to Qualify for MassHealth

In previous columns I have explained how, whether you are single or married, you can always qualify for MassHealth at the last minute if you need to.    Knowing that to be true, do you still need to plan ahead?  The …

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Giving it All Away (Or at Least Some of It)

Every December my clients ask whether or not it makes sense to make gifts to their loved ones.  In addition to getting to hear “thank you”, there are several advantages to giving assets away before you die, with few disadvantages.  …

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Single? Need to Qualify for MassHealth?

It is important to know your options when it comes to qualifying for MassHealth should you require home health care or nursing home care. Many seniors who are single often lose sleep worrying about this very issue. Rest assured, whether …

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