Preserving Your Family’s Wealth for Future Generations

Whether you’re planning your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, Attorney Marchese can help with all aspects of trusts and estates issues, including:

Choosing the Appropriate Executor Estate Planning Estate Tax Issues Guardianships

Living Wills Living Trusts Will Drafting Health Care Proxy

Securing Your Legacy
You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. We thoroughly analyze your estate assets and determine the best strategy to transfer your assets to your loved ones, minimize taxes, identify guardians for your children, care for your pets, support personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones.

Draft Your Living Will and Last Will and Testament
A Last Will and Testament is essential at every stage of your life. A living trust is key to avoid probate. The Massachusetts Health Care Proxy identifies those loved ones who will be responsible for medical intervention should you become incapacitated. This assures that when you are most vulnerable, your wishes will be honored.

Your Last Will and Testament provides the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A Will is necessary if you intend to leave property to someone other than a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, a friend or a charity. If you die without a Will, the court determines how your property is distributed, who will care for your children and even what happens to your pet – making decisions that might not reflect your desires.

We can draft valid Wills that ensure your intentions are honored. And we have an excellent strategy to protect your assets from the Probate Court and some creditors to avoid a contested Will by drafting a Revocable Trust and Homestead Act.

Changing Your Will
As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your Will throughout your life. We draft valid Codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions.

Appointment of Guardianship
If you have minor children, your Will allows you to make decisions about their future care. This is especially crucial if you are a single parent or if both parents die in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the court will appoint a guardian for your children and can make decisions adverse to your ultimate parenting goals. You can also make arrangements for your pets’ care in your Will, including naming a guardian to take responsibility for your pets.

In Addition to Estate Planning We Also Represent Clients in Probate Court
Probate follows what is typically a painful emotional loss. We have 36 years of experience and are knowledgeable in probate law and know how to ease the stress of probate by guiding executors and beneficiaries through the complex process.

The Process of Probating an Estate or a Will

Most Executors have rarely if ever probated a Will and know little about the process. We can guide you through the complex probate process, including:

Filing the Will with the Massachusetts probate court Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate Closing and opening bank accounts Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate

Finding and collecting assets Paying estate taxes Valuing, managing, preserving and liquidating the estate Locating beneficiaries Hiring experts, when appropriate

Valuing and Managing the Estate
We assist Executors with the arduous process of collecting, managing, valuing, protecting and liquidating the assets of the estate. We have a team of experts available to assist in every aspect of estate probate. When appropriate, the firm calls upon accountants, financial advisers, real estate agents, property managers and other professionals to assist with executor duties. We can access expert opinions about unique assets such as antiques, rare books, automobiles and other collectables for accurate valuation, management and possible sale.

Probate Disputes
Even in apparently straightforward estate cases, there are sometimes disputes between beneficiaries. Our  professional courtroom presence can calm the emotionally-charged process of probating a challenged Will or Disputed Executor or judicial decision. When it is in the best interests of our client to preserve cordial familial relationships, we are adept at mediating these disputes. When necessary, we assertively defend our client’s beneficiary rights within the Massachusetts probate court.

Contact an Estate Planning and Probate Lawyer You Can Trust.
For estate planning services in Waltham and throughout the Boston area, call Attorney Marchese at (781) 894-6248, or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.