Step One
New-Client Intake
These are the materials you will need to get started, if you are preparing for an initial appointment with our office. We will need the completed and signed intake form, signed Dual Representation form (if you are a member of a couple), and copies of any existing estate planning documents (Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, etc.), as well as deeds to any out-of-state real estate.
1. Intake Form for New Clients
2. Dual Representation Form for Married Clients
3. Dual Representation Form for Unmarried Clients
We encourage you to read these documents prior to the consultation, to maximize the productiveness of our meeting:
4. Estate Planning Summary (no minor children)
5. Estate Planning Summary (minor children)
6. Health-Related Documents Explained
7. Thoughtful Estate Planning
8. Standard Will v. Avoid-Probate Trust Comparison
9. Benefits of Using a Trust as Beneficiary of Assets
10. Massachusetts Estate Tax Chart (for estates exceeding $2 million)
11. Credit Shelter Trusts (used to reduce or eliminate MA estate taxes for married couples with estates exceeding $2 million)
12. Supplemental Needs Trust Wills, Plus Avoid Probate Trusts (for married couples concerned about the potential of future long-term care needs)
13. Preserving Transferred Assets (for married couples where one spouse is already experiencing medical issues that are requiring – or may require, in the future – assistance at home or in a skilled-nursing facility)
14. Supplemental Needs Trust Wills for Spouses
Step Two
The Process
These materials should help you understand how our office estate planning process works (the various steps and estimated timeline), and how to most effectively communicate with us.
1. Next Steps (what happens after the initial consultation)
2. Helpful Information for Communicating With our Office
Step Three
Creating Your Customized Estate Plan
In order to draft your customized estate planning documents, we need a fully-completed Nominations form, which guides you through the various decisions you need to make. You will be given the appropriate form at the end of the initial consultation, along with written fee information, a pre-addressed, stamped envelope for returning the necessary forms, and other helpful documents. Our office has created many versions of the Nominations form, depending upon each client’s situation, but three of our most common forms are below. It may be helpful to review them prior to your initial consultation, so you are prepared to discuss family members or friends who might best serve in the various roles.
1. Avoid Probate Trust with Pourover Will (for an unmarried individual wanting to avoid the Probate Court process)
2. Joint and Credit Shelter Avoid-Probate Trusts with Supplemental Needs Trust Wills (for married couples wishing to increase chances that assets are protected, in the event that one spouse requires in-home or skilled-nursing care)
3. Joint and Credit Shelter Avoid-Probate Trusts with Standard Wills (for married couples where so-called Medicaid planning is not a viable option)