Caldwell Law is committed to providing our clients with resources to help them best understand their estate planning. Our blog posts are meant to encourage you to think critically about various aspects of estate planning and to strive to learn more.
Please let us know if there are topics you are interested in learning more about and we will do our best to post content on that subject matter!
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MUSINGS AND MEMORIES
By Richard “Chuck” Woodhouse, JD, and Caldwell Law Sage emeritus. Early in March 2023, an article appearing in the Boston Globe recounted the story of a Massachusetts man, while being treated as a hospice patient, expressed a desire to end his life. While he was kept...
New Proposed Rule Effects In-Kind Support and Maintenance Calculation
By Jill Roamer, J.D., CIPP/US If an individual receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)* receives certain types of payments, those payments must be reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and their benefits may be reduced, often quite significantly....
My Loved One Has Died – What Do I Do Now?
When a family member or other loved one dies, grief and shock can sometimes be overwhelming. The last thing most people want to think about is making phone calls or funeral arrangements. Some things do not need to be done immediately, but there are some steps that...
Money Isn’t Everything
How to Pass Your Stories and Values to the Future Generations While it’s true that money is probably the most talked about topic in estate planning, the riches of experience and wisdom can sometimes mean more to family members down the line. Reinforcement of family...
The Pros and Cons of Probate
In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often comes with a starkly negative connotation. Indeed, for many people — especially those with larger estates — financial planners recommend trying to keep property out of probate whenever possible. That being said, the...
Consider a Trust to Avoid Probate
As Ambrose Bierce once darkly observed, “Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” Ideally, when someone passes away, the paperwork and material concerns associated with the estate are so flawlessly handled (thanks to excellent preparation)...
Estate Planning for Unmarried Partners
When you’re in a romantic partnership - as opposed to a marriage - you need to create the legal protections and benefits automatically afforded to those who are married. For example, married persons legally inherit from each automatically and can visit their spouses...
Is a Financial Plan Enough? Why Experts Say You Need an Estate Plan Too
If you want to leave a robust financial legacy for your family, a financial plan alone is like trying to guide a boat with just one oar: It’s only part of the big picture for your overall monetary health. A well-informed financial plan is worth your time for several...
Your Estate Planning Binder: Tips for Proper Care and Maintenance
You finally crossed “getting your estate plan done” off your list, and you’ve (rightly) breathed a huge sigh of relief. By tackling this challenge, you’ve not only established protections for your loved ones and legacy, but you’ve also freed up some important “mental...
Time to Get Organized if You Find You are an “Overwhelmed Executor”
While it is an honor to be named as an executor of a will or estate, it can also be a sobering and daunting responsibility. Being a personal representative requires a high level of organization, foresight, and attention to detail to meet all responsibilities and...
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