Boston Massachusetts Estate Planning
Also serving Andover and Raynham Massachusetts
Proper estate planning leaves your family in a position of security. Passing on your financial legacy is a testament to a well lived life. Most people are not comfortable planning for end of life issues, however the alternative to a proper, well thought out, estate plan is a tragic legal mess to clean up for grieving family members. Proper estate planning now will help ensure that all you have worked for goes to those to whom you intend it to, and will support them as they grieve and recover from your passing. It's the right thing to do. The lawyers of Machado & Carden offer estate planning legal instruments that make planning ahead an easy and affordable process. By visiting with an elder law attorney while you are healthy and aware, you can help your family avoid potential probate court expenses, delays, and tough decisions when you have passed away or become incapacitated.
Comprehensive Estate Plans Designed to Meet Your Unique Needs
The lawyers of Machado & Carden are members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. They know that discussing your last will and testament might not be the easiest conversation you can have. They also know that it will be one of the most important things you can do for your family.
A proper estate plan ensures that your final wishes are honored and your assets pass to your intended heirs and beneficiaries. We can help you create a comprehensive legal estate plan designed to carry out your wishes about who will receive your property and assets after your death. After considering your wishes and your unique personal and financial circumstances, our attorneys will advise you on how to best ensure your assets are transferred to the friends or family you intend. This might involve a will, a trust, putting property in joint tenancy, or other methods. We will also explore with you methods to avoid the pain and angst of probate.
Machado and Carden provides legal advice to help you and your family preserve and protect hard-earned assets in the event a family member requires long-term care or nursing home care. In addition to Medicaid planning, our attorneys counsel clients on other asset protection strategies. For higher net worth clients, our attorneys work to minimize, or in some cases eliminate, inheritance or estate tax.
Health Care Proxies / Medical Powers of Attorney
Machado & Carden provides the legal documents that allow you to put your final health care and financial wishes in writing. A healthcare proxy, sometimes called a medical power of attorney, gives your spouse or other designated agent the legal authority to make healthcare decisions if you cannot do so yourself.
Advance Healthcare Directives / Living Wills
Many clients choose to sign advance health care directives that express their medical treatment wishes in the event of a terminal illness. Often known as a "living will," this language provides your family with clear instructions about whether "heroic" or "futile" medical treatment is appropriate if your death is imminent. With a living will in place, your family will not face the uncertainty of making decisions about your medical care.
Durable Powers of Attorney
Durable powers of attorney are a critical piece of any estate plan. This document will enable your appointed agent to make financial decisions on your behalf should you ever become incapacitated. Machado & Carden can advise you on how to choose an agent and how best to draft the durable power of attorney to ensure that your assets are properly managed.
Contact our estate planning attorneys to schedule a consultation about your estate planning needs. It's not too late to start making plans to preserve your estate for your family.