Client Webinars
About our Client Webinars
Our educational webinars are part of our Ongoing Client Care Program. For 2021, we will continue to offer this series exclusively in webinar format. Depending on how feasible it is to safely conduct in-person events in the latter part of 2021, we may add some additional programming.
We strive to empower our clients and their trusted advisors to take control of your estate plans, retirements, and aging, by presenting on relevant topics and providing an opportunity to ask questions and deepen your relationship with us. Your loved ones, helpers, friends & trusted advisors are welcome at all of our sessions. We encourage you to invite them!
As laws change or as we encounter relevant topics, we may add additional sessions during the year.
How to Sign Up
Click the “Sign Up Here” link below the webinar you wish to register for. If you end up being unable to watch live, recordings of the webinar presentations will be made available on our website in the Past Webinars section below. You may also email [email protected] to request a recording of the presentation.
Upcoming Webinars
June 16, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The Keys to a Successful Estate Plan-POSTPONED
Presented by: Attorney Vincent E. Bonazzoli and Attorney Lauren A. Kassira
At Family Estate Planning Law Group, we know protecting your loved ones after you pass is your primary goal. To accomplish this, we must focus on how assets are titled at death. We’ll discuss how to ensure your estate plan works: simplifying and consolidating accounts, the initial alignment of assets with the estate plan, verification of that alignment from institutions, & ongoing tracking of changes in value & ownership of assets. During this seminar we will review our revolutionary SAVeT SystemTM, guaranteed to streamline your estate plan and reduce stress for your loved ones.
August 18, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Answers to Your Social Security Questions
Join us for a look at the complex topics of Social Security & Medicare in one of our most popular sessions with Kurt Czarnowski (formerly of the Social Security Administration). He will be available to answer any of your specific questions. You can visit Kurt’s website at www.czarnowskiconsulting.com.
Summer/Fall 2021 ∙ Client Appreciation Event: TBD
As you may have heard, the future of the Lowell Spinners franchise is in doubt. Pandemic-permitting, we hope to have a new client appreciation event this year.
September 22, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Medicare 101
Medicare 101 is a concise overview of the Medicare system. You will learn what you need to know about dates, costs, coverage, penalties & options so that you will be able to understand your options and obligations. The various parts of Medicare including Parts A,B,C,D and Supplements will also be reviewed.
Per CMS guidelines this is not a sales presentation and no specific carrier plan details will be discussed.
This program will be presented by Scott Maibor.
October 7, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ What Should You Do After Your Loved-One Dies? Effective Trust Administration Strategies for Clients and Advisors
What are the first steps after a spouse, parent or loved-one dies? What should you do after the funeral services? When should you schedule a meeting with your estate planning attorney? Please join us to review the questions we typically receive immediately following the loss of a family member and what you’ll need to know about the trust administration process. Learn how to avoid the numerous mistakes others make immediately following someone’s death that can adversely affect how your family gains access to your assets and increase your tax liability. Please feel free to invite your family members, trustees and/or fiduciaries to attend with you.
October 19, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Cybersecurity: Best Practices
The month of October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we invite you attend this important webinar with IT expert, Jeff Heather of NorthLight IT, to learn some best practices and things to be aware of when navigating the digital world. Please feel free to invite your family members, trustees and/or fiduciaries to attend with you.
November 3, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Year-End Estate Tax Planning: What You Should Do Before December 31
With the year winding down, there are a number of planning opportunities that you should not miss. On this webinar, we will discuss some urgent estate tax planning in light of the uncertainty of the current gift and estate tax laws. We will also review some practical income tax strategies you should explore before the end of the year.
December 9, 2021 ∙ Alzheimers/Dementia Care with Dianne Savastano
Details to come – stay tuned!
January 12, 2022 ∙ The 2021-2022 State and Federal Law Update & Your Estate Plan
Join us for this webinar as we reflect on 2021 and what did (or did not) come to pass over the course of the year regarding tax change proposals, estate, income, and capital gain planning. We’ll review some of strategies that we will employ to address the changes we know about and the changes that may come to pass.
Watch Past Webinars
April 28, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Medicaid Basics: Protecting the Home and Other Assets from the Nursing Home and the Resulting Unexpected Income, Capital Gain, and Estate Tax Consequences
Presented by: Vincent E. Bonazzoli
As our population ages, it is becoming increasingly more important to protect our homes & assets from nursing home expenses. While revocable living trusts don’t protect assets from creditors, an irrevocable trust (or “lockbox”) can provide asset protection during life & may protect the value of your home & other assets. Without proper planning, assets will be exposed to the nursing home and traditional elder law planning may result in income, capital gain, and estate tax consequences.
May 11, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The SECURE Act & New Planning for Qualified Retirement Assets
Presented by: Vincent E. Bonazzoli
On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law the SECURE Act: the first major law change regarding qualified retirement plan assets in almost two decades. The SECURE Act has profoundly affected planning for required minimum distributions following the death of an IRA owner. The law now requires that the full IRA be distributed within 10 years, which dramatically accelerates income tax liability and potentially exposes the IRA assets to divorces, bankruptcies, and lawsuits. Although there are some exceptions to the 10-year rule, income tax, special needs trust, and asset protection planning now need to be coordinated on a case-by-case basis. Come learn what the new law is and potential strategies to minimize the adverse income tax consequences and continue asset protection.
March 17, 2021, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Strategies for the Massachusetts Estate Tax: The Massachusetts Standby Gifting Trust & Planning for Massachusetts Real Estate
Presented by: Vincent E. Bonazzoli
The Massachusetts estate tax affects estates over $1M, but estates below the federal estate tax exemption amount ($11.7M for 2021) could still incur a state estate tax bill of over $1,000,000. Saving on the state estate tax isn’t always in a family’s best interest however, especially if it means a higher capital gain tax for beneficiaries. Additionally, non-residents who own MA real estate are also subject to MA estate tax. Careful planning must be done for non-residents. We’ll cover techniques to lower overall estate & income tax liability for beneficiaries, techniques to deal with MA real estate, and shift the focus from estate tax savings to reducing a family’s overall tax liability.
January 2021 – Noon ∙ The 2020-2021 State and Federal Law Update & Your Estate Plan
With the election just passed, the estate tax law uncertainty, the passage of the SECURE Act, and the myriad of tax change proposals, estate, income, and capital gain planning is now in a state of flux. In addition, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has shown signs of being much more aggressive in denying Medicaid applications for those seeking to protect assets from the nursing home. Come to this seminar to see some of the strategies that will employ to address the changes we know about and the changes that may come to pass.
November 2020 ∙ The SECURE Act: What You Need To Know
In December 2019, President Trump signed into law the SECURE Act, which is the most significant legislation to affect qualified retirement plans (IRA, 401k, Roth, etc.) in almost two decades. This law dramatically increases income tax paid from retirement plans following the death of the original owner. The SECURE Act removed the ability, in most cases, to stretch out required minimum distributions from a qualified retirement plan over the life expectancy of the beneficiary. The law now requires inherited IRA’s to be liquidated within ten years of the death of the original owner. This webinar, presented by Attorney Tim Caldwell and Attorney Vinnie Bonazzoli, will review the SECURE Act, the few exceptions to it, and new planning techniques to potentially mitigate its impact.
September 2020 ∙ Medicare 101
Medicare 101 is a concise overview of the Medicare system. You will learn what you need to know about dates, costs, coverage, penalties & options so that you will be able to understand your options and obligations. The various parts of Medicare including Parts A,B,C,D and Supplements will also be reviewed. Per CMS guidelines this is not a sales presentation and no specific carrier plan details will be discussed.
This program will be presented by Scott Maibor.
After 12 years in the Insurance industry, Scott founded Senior Benefits Boston to help clients with their Medicare health insurance needs. At the outset it was a few clients, or their parents, needing help. As word spread, he was shocked at how many people needed help with Medicare and actively sought him out. He enjoys simplifying an overly complex system with the goal of maximizing coverage and reducing costs. In 2017, Scott decided to focus exclusively on Medicare and on helping clients approaching eligibility age.
Scott is a graduate of Babson College where he studied Finance and Communications. He is a Certified Financial Educator and Medicare (AHiP) Certified for 2021. As an independent Advisor he works with multiple carriers to enable him to serve as a fiduciary for his clients.
Scott lives in Winthrop with his wife and their cat. They have 3 children Mike (31), Jennie (26) and Nathan (20). He is an avid kayaker, cook, reader, gardener and cyclist. He frequently records his “Medicare Missives” from the beach behind the house.
June 2020 ∙ Money Smart for Older Adults
The Money Smart for Older Adults Program raises awareness among older adults and their caregivers on how to prevent elder financial exploitation and encourages advance planning and informed financial decision-making.
Among the topics to be discussed:
- Common Types of Elder Financial Exploitation
- Scams Targeting Veterans
- Identity Theft
- Medical Identity Theft
- Scams that Target Homeowners
- Planning for Unexpected Life Events
- How to Be Financially Prepared for Disasters
June 2020 ∙ Social Security and Retirement Planning: A Hit or Myth Proposition
Social Security’s retirement program has been a basic part of American life for more than 84 years. But, despite the age, the size, and the economic impact of the Social Security system, the myths and misunderstandings about what the program is, as well as what it isn’t, are sizeable.
Now, as Baby Boomers reach retirement age, they are beginning to realize that Social Security is going to play a bigger role in their retirement than they had previously thought. But they are also starting to realize that they don’t know as much about the program as they should.
Kurt Czarnowski, the Social Security Administration’s former Regional Communications Director for New England, will provide a wealth of information about the system. He will cover topics such as when someone can start to collect, how a retirement benefit is calculated, and the impact of working in retirement. He will also discuss spousal and survivor benefits, as well as how someone goes about applying.
May 2020 The Top 10 Estate Planning Mistakes You Can Make During the Coronavirus Pandemic and How to Avoid Them
During the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing crisis, making sure that your estate plan will actually provide for you and your family has never been more important. We have found that traditional estate planning assumptions will not work during this pandemic. We will discuss the estate planning mistakes that we have seen and provide practical solutions for you to make sure that you and your family are taken care of during this uncertain time whether or not your family is directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus.
May 2020 ∙ Navigating the Healthcare System and Advocating for Your Loved Ones During COVID-10
The coronavirus pandemic has presented hospitals, healthcare professionals, and patients with unique challenges regarding how to provide the best healthcare while also protecting individual’s HIPAA rights and access to family members. The healthcare industry and individual patients are balancing providing the best medical treatment to those who are in need with keeping the public safe. This has presented a unique challenge for loved ones who want to care for, advocate for, and be with a person who is now in a medical facility. This webinar will discuss the unique challenges that family members and advocates face and provide some suggestions on how best to advocate for, care for, and be with a loved one during this time, all while making sure you are healthy and protected. We will also make time for your questions.
April 2020 ∙ CARES Act: What You Need to Know Personally and for Your Business
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, on March 27, 2020 Congress passed an unprecedented relief package for both individuals and businesses. In addition to the personal economic impact payments and assistance to small businesses, the CARES Act also includes many other provisions that provide relief and support to individuals and businesses. This webinar will discuss the CARES Act in general but will also focus in on little-discussed relief options such as retirement benefits, delayed income tax filings and payments, and loans that have the potential to turn into grants. Additionally, we will discuss how to qualify for these benefits.
March 2020 ∙ Special Webinar Event: Estate Planning Update in Light of the Uncertainty Caused by Coronavirus
In light of the current uncertainty regarding the coronavirus and how it will affect our families, we want to review and update our clients and their friends and family members as to what they should be doing or not doing and how to be better prepared for a sudden crisis for you and your family. Please remember to use us as a resource, both our own experience and our vast network of referrals. In addition, we will provide plenty of time for questions as well as an update on our office procedures, safeguards, and contingencies to make sure that you and your family are taken care of when things are certain and when they are uncertain.
November 2019 ∙ De-Mystifying Qualified Retirement Plans: What You Need to Know
Do you want to provide for your grandchildren in your estate plan while ensuring your children have enough for retirement? Are you confused by required minimum distribution rules? Current inherited IRA laws make it more attractive to provide substantial wealth to your children & grandchildren through proper IRA planning, keeping IRAs growing tax-deferred for decades. We’ll discuss inherited IRA strategies & the best ways to deal with required minimum distributions.
October 2019 ∙ Planning for the Massachusetts Estate Tax & The Massachusetts Standby Gifting Trust
With the Massachusetts estate tax affecting estates over $1M, estates below the federal estate tax exemption amount ($11.4M for 2019) could still incur a state estate tax bill of over $1,000,000. Saving on the state estate tax isn’t always in a family’s best interest however, especially if it means a higher capital gain tax for beneficiaries. We’ll cover techniques to lower overall estate & income tax liability for beneficiaries, shifting the focus from estate tax savings to reduce a family’s overall tax liability.
September 2019 ∙ Protecting Inheritances from Divorce, Creditor Issues & Substance Abuse
The most common reason for creating an estate plan is to take care of your family & other loved ones, even long after you’re gone. But sometimes taking care of a loved one means hoping for the best & planning for the worst. We’ll look at some of the divorce & creditor protection strategies available, as well as ways we’ve successfully assisted clients in planning for a child with a substance abuse issue.
May 2019 ∙ A Little Medicaid Planning Goes a Long Way: Protecting Your Home and Other Assets Using a Lock Box
As our population ages, we hear more & more about the importance of protecting our homes & assets from nursing home expenses. While revocable living trusts don’t protect assets from creditors, an irrevocable trust (or “lockbox”) can provide asset protection during life & may protect the value of your home & other assets.
April 2019 ∙ What Should You Do After Your Loved-One Dies?
What are the first steps after a spouse, parent or loved-one dies? What should you do after the funeral services? When should you schedule a meeting with your estate planning attorney? Please join us for a new workshop where we review the questions we typically receive immediately following the loss of a family member and what you’ll need to know about the trust administration process. Learn how to avoid the numerous mistakes others make immediately following someone’s death that can adversely affect how your family gains access to your assets and increase your tax liability. Please feel free to invite your family members, trustees and/or fiduciaries to attend with you.
March 2019 ∙ The New SAVeT SystemTM: Simplification, Alignment, Verification & Tracking of Assets
At Family Estate Planning Law Group, we know the most important thing is that our clients’ families are cared for after they pass. To accomplish this, we must focus on how assets are titled at death. We’ll discuss how to ensure your estate plan works: simplification and consolidating accounts, the initial alignment of assets with the estate plan, verification of that alignment from institutions & ongoing tracking of changes in value & ownership of assets. During this seminar we will introduce our new SAVeT SystemTM, guaranteed to streamline your estate plan and reduce the stress for your loved ones.
November 2018 – I Like My Kids, but I Love My Grandkids – Planning With Inherited IRA Trusts
Thinking about how to provide for your grandchildren in your estate plan while still making sure your children have enough money for their retirement? The inherited IRA laws now make it easier and more attractive to provide substantial wealth to your children and grandchildren through proper IRA planning. Attend this session to learn about the Inherited IRA Strategy where we will discuss how to keep IRAs growing tax deferred for decades after the death of the IRA owner and help your family address the Social Security crisis.
May 2018 – Planning for and Managing the Impaired Beneficiary with Arden O’Connor
For this webinar we welcomed Arden O’Connor as our presenter! She is the founder of the O’Connor Professional Group, which addresses the needs of families and individuals struggling with an array of behavioral health issues.
Arden discusses how addiction and other chronic behavioral health issues present significant risks to family well-being and wealth preservation, and recent research which suggests higher incidence of these issues within affluent communities. This presentation addresses the connection between money and addiction/other behavioral health issues, signs and symptoms of problems and how to develop an estate plan that takes into consideration the staggering likelihood of a trust beneficiary’s potential struggle as well as managing a beneficiary when the problem surfaces.
