Top Wills & Trusts Lawyers in Essex County, MA
Free Consultations | Law Firm In Business Since 2010 | High-Level Attorney
Hours: Open 9:00 am - Closes 5:00 pm
Discover Expert Legal Assistance with Our Saugus, MA Attorneys
Finding the right attorney is crucial for your legal needs. At Coleman & MacDonald Law Office, Were based in Peabody, & East Longmeadow, MA we offer experienced and reputable legal services to support you. Choosing the wrong lawyer can end up costing you more in the long run.
Our team is committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process while prioritizing your best interests. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have locations in Peabody and East Longmeadow, MA, and proudly serve the entire Boston area.
Donald J. MacDonald, Esq. Partner
(781) 654-5050
don@colemanmacdonald.com
Planning for Your Future
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens after you pass away. It also helps if you’re unable to make decisions due to injury or illness. With proper planning, your family will know your wishes in any situation. We’re here to ensure everything is set up properly.
Reach out to us if you need assistance with:
- Intellectual Property
- Licensing
- Litigation
- Trademarks
- Personal Injury
- Bankruptcy
- Real Estate
- Estate Planning
- Civil Litigation
Wills & Trusts:
Planning for Your Future
Estate planning wills involves making important decisions about your future. Our team will take the time to understand your unique needs and create a custom estate plan just for you. We can guide you in areas like:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Burial directions
- Health care proxies
- Health care directives
- Tax needs
- Guardianships
- Conservatorships
- Medicare and Medicaid planning
Now Is the Time to Start Planning
Disability Planning and Probate Services
- Special needs trust
- Government benefits planning
- Long-term care planning
- Special program planning
- Estate and gift tax planning
- Planning for the developmentally disabled
How Our Guidance Can Help
- Elder housing
- Independent living
- Assisted living
Making Plans for the Whole Family
Without a will, if your assets are solely owned at your death, your estate will need “administration.” This process is like probate but can be complicated, taking at least a year, and it’s costly and public. In Massachusetts, if you die without a will, the state decides who gets your property based on intestacy. If you’re preparing for the future, don’t do it alone. Our compassionate and skilled team is here to help you make reliable decisions. These plans benefit you and provide peace of mind for your kids and grandchildren. Our lawyers aim to help you live your best life for as long as possible.
Why You Need a Will
Without a will, there can be complications. When you contact Coleman & MacDonald Law Office, you’ll find a team of caring professionals ready to listen and guide you. While a will isn’t legally required, it’s very helpful. It serves as a foundation for your estate plan and lays out your wishes for your estate and loved ones if you pass away or can’t make decisions anymore.
Important Points about Having a Will
- Asset Distribution: Wills are essential because they specify how your assets should be given to your loved ones after you pass away, letting you control your legacy.
- Legal Validity: A will is a statement of your wishes and only becomes legally valid after your death when verified in probate court.
How to Avoid Expensive Probate
It’s simple—create a Living Trust. By setting up a trust now, you can avoid probate court altogether. We’ll detail everything: who gets what, how much, when, and how. All documents will be clear and complete, leaving nothing for probate.
Come in, and we’ll discuss your assets. We’ll identify which ones aren’t subject to probate, considering your situation, assets’ size, and type. We can also talk about how and when to use certain assets. If you have out-of-state real estate, we’ll move it into your trust to avoid probate in that state too.
Can We Create a Living Trust Instead of a Will?
Absolutely! Here’s why you might consider a Living Trust: If you’re married, live in Massachusetts, and have over $2 million in assets, a Living Trust can help reduce your estate taxes, which are quite high in MA. Plus, it can protect beneficiaries from accessing funds before they’re ready, perhaps due to issues like substance abuse or overspending. We can set up a plan to provide them with funds gradually.
For a young beneficiary, a Living Trust can cover education costs or delay access to their inheritance until they turn 30. A trust adds the element of timing to your estate plan, ensuring things happen at the right times and under the right conditions after you pass away. We serve Middlesex County (west) ; Suffolk County (south) ; Hillsborough County, New Hampshire (northwest); Rockingham County, 01028?
Essex County Estate Planning Attorney
At Coleman & MacDonald Law Office, an Essex County estate planning firm, we understand the importance of planning for the future. Whether you have substantial assets or a more modest estate, thoughtful estate planning is essential to safeguard your property for the next generation.
For those with a family home, bank accounts, retirement plans, and perhaps some investments or collections, we offer custom-tailored and affordable estate plans. Our experienced team is here to help draft wills, establish trusts, and guide you through this important process.
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About Us- Managing Your Assets to Protect Your Future
Coleman & MacDonald Law Office offers legal services to Peabody, MA, East Longmeadow, MA, and nearby areas.
Year Established: 2010
Services Offered:
- Legal Representation
- Motorcycle Accident Services
- Wrongful Death Services
- Estate Planning
- Patent Services
Specialties:
- Personal Injury
- Bankruptcy
- Real Estate Law
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Payment Types Accepted:
- American Express
- Cash
- Check
- Discover
- MasterCard
- Visa
Languages Spoken:
- English
FAQ: Estate Planning
If you pass away without a will, Massachusetts law about wills and estates will determine the distribution of your estate through "intestate" succession laws. This statutory system, which may lead to unexpected and often undesirable outcomes, dictates both the beneficiaries and the division of your estate, potentially not aligning with your wishes. This can also lead to complications, such as the need for legal guardianship if your children are minors, which can be costly and burdensome.
If you leave behind a spouse and children, only half of your probate assets will go to your spouse, with the other half divided among your children. Probate assets are typically those held in your name alone at the time of your death.
An Executor is appointed if you have a will, while an Administrator is designated if you don't. This person acts as the primary representative of your estate.
Estate administration involves gathering assets, settling debts, and distributing property to heirs. Depending on the size of your estate, this process might be straightforward or more complex and lengthier, often taking over a year. For smaller estates, Massachusetts offers a simplified voluntary administration process.
Life insurance proceeds and retirement benefits follow their designated beneficiaries. Additionally, assets in joint accounts with survivorship rights bypass the will and go directly to the co-owner.
A trustee manages the property placed in a trust for the benefit of others. Trusts, often established for minor children, allow you to designate a trusted individual or corporate trustee to oversee your children's financial needs. Trustees should have broad and adaptable powers to ensure future flexibility.
In the absence of a living parent, a court-appointed guardian will care for your children. However, you can specify your preferred guardian in your will, a crucial decision to avoid leaving this to the court. It's wise to choose contemporaries or friends most suitable for the role, rather than solely relying on grandparents. Proper estate planning can alleviate financial burdens on the guardian by setting up trusts.
This legal document allows you to authorize someone to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated. You can grant specific or broad powers to your chosen agent. A durable power of attorney remains in effect even if you become disabled.
A healthcare proxy lets you appoint someone to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so.
We strongly recommend reviewing your estate plan following significant changes in your financial or family situation, such as changes in net worth, divorce, or marriage, to ensure it continues to meet your needs and goals. Regular review is key to keeping your plan up to date.