Sunderland Estate Planning Lawyer, Massachusetts
Includes: Gift Taxation
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LEGAL TERMS
ABATEMENT
A reduction. After a death, abatement occurs if the deceased person didn't leave enough property to fulfill all the bequests made in the will and meet other exp... (more...)
A reduction. After a death, abatement occurs if the deceased person didn't leave enough property to fulfill all the bequests made in the will and meet other expenses. Gifts left in the will are cut back in order to pay taxes, satisfy debts or take care of other gifts that are given priority under law or by the will itself.
INTESTATE
The condition of dying without a valid will. The probate court appoints an administrator to distribute the deceased person's property according to state law.
ANCILLARY PROBATE
A probate proceeding conducted in a different state from the one the deceased person resided in at the time of death. Usually, ancillary probate proceedings are... (more...)
A probate proceeding conducted in a different state from the one the deceased person resided in at the time of death. Usually, ancillary probate proceedings are necessary if the deceased person owned real estate in another state.
SUMMARY PROBATE
A relatively simple probate proceeding available for 'small estates,' as that term is defined by state law. Every state's definition is different, and many are ... (more...)
A relatively simple probate proceeding available for 'small estates,' as that term is defined by state law. Every state's definition is different, and many are complicated, but a few examples include estates worth up to $100,000 in California; New York estates where property, excluding real estate and amounts that must be set aside for surviving family members, is worth $20,000 or less; and Texas estates where the value of property doesn't exceed what is needed to pay a family allowance and certain creditors.
ESTATE PLANNING
The art of continuing to prosper when you're alive, and passing your property to your loved ones with a minimum of fuss and expense after you die. Planning your... (more...)
The art of continuing to prosper when you're alive, and passing your property to your loved ones with a minimum of fuss and expense after you die. Planning your estate may involve making a will, living trust, healthcare directives, durable power of attorney for finances or other documents.
DOWER AND CURTESY
A surviving spouse's right to receive a set portion of the deceased spouse's estate -- usually one-third to one-half. Dower (not to be confused with a 'dowry') ... (more...)
A surviving spouse's right to receive a set portion of the deceased spouse's estate -- usually one-third to one-half. Dower (not to be confused with a 'dowry') refers to the portion to which a surviving wife is entitled, while curtesy refers to what a man may claim. Until recently, these amounts differed in a number of states. However, because discrimination on the basis of sex is now illegal in most cases, most states have abolished dower and curtesy and generally provide the same benefits regardless of sex -- and this amount is often known simply as the statutory share. Under certain circumstances, a living spouse may not be able to sell or convey property that is subject to the other spouse's dower and curtesy or statutory share rights.
SURVIVING SPOUSE'S TRUST
If a couple has created an AB trust, the revocable living trust (Trust B) of the surviving spouse, after the first spouse has died.
SWEARING MATCH
A case that turns on the word of one witness versus another. The outcome of a swearing match usually depends on whom the jury finds most trustworthy.
SPECIFIC BEQUEST
A specific item of property that is left to a named beneficiary under a will. If the person who made the will no longer owns the property when he dies, the bequ... (more...)
A specific item of property that is left to a named beneficiary under a will. If the person who made the will no longer owns the property when he dies, the bequest fails. In other words, the beneficiary cannot substitute a similar item in the estate. Example: If John leaves his 1954 Mercedes to Patti, and when John dies the 1954 Mercedes is long gone, Patti doesn't receive John's current car or the cash equivalent of the Mercedes. See ademption.
SAMPLE LEGAL CASES
Dwyer v. Dwyer
... trust. She alleges that, because of drafting errors, the trust as written fails to give effect
to one of the donor's principal estate planning goals, that is, to transfer his property
to his family while minimizing adverse tax consequences. ...
Shultz v. Shultz
... Hanna and Lucas are the minor children of Arnon. Jean and Samson retained attorney Judah
Rubin to implement an estate plan that would achieve their estate planning goals, one of
which was the minimization of Federal and State estate taxes. ...
Germain v. Girard
... the lawsuit. Alan conducted all communications with Bowditch & Dewey concerning
George's estate plan, initially with Fenton and later with Attorney Maryjo Hart (who
prepared the estate planning documents). On November ...
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