Past Webinars
Watch Past Webinars
September 11, 2024, 12-1:30pm – Medicare 101: How to Choose the Right Medicare Option for You
Presented by: Scott Maibor
This session aimed to demystify the basics of Medicare and equip attendees with the knowledge needed to confidently navigate their healthcare options. We were thrilled to have Scott Maibor from Senior Benefits Boston LLC as our guest presenter. He guided participants through the complexities of Medicare, ensuring they understood how to maximize their benefits.
June 13, 2024, 12-1:30pm – Trust Administration – What Happens with an Estate Plan After Death?
Presented by: Jesse Miller & Vinnie Bonazzoli
So, you made a great plan while you were alive…what happens after you or a loved one dies? Unfortunately, the documents aren’t your fairy godmother, and they don’t wave a magic wand to instantly pass your assets to your family. Join our Senior Trust Administration Paralegal, Jesse Miller, and Attorney Vinnie Bonazzoli for this webinar where we will discuss the specific steps that need to be addressed shortly after someone dies and in the months that follow. This webinar is a must for your Trustees and loved ones since you will not be here to administer your own plan. We have found that understanding the process before someone dies can make the process after death much smoother for your family members and loved ones. We will also discuss what steps might be helpful just prior to death to smooth out the trust administration process moving forward.
May 22, 2024, 12-1:30pm – The Corporate Transparency Act
Presented by: Vinnie Bonazzoli and John D. Colucci
The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), a federal law that became effective on January 1st, 2024, affects almost all corporations, partnerships, limited liability entities and other entities that require filing with a Secretary of State or Secretary of the Commonwealth. Starting January 1st, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act requires all newly formed entities to make a reporting to the federal government for not only the entity but those deemed “beneficial owner(s).” Starting January 1st, 2025, almost all corporations, partnerships, limited liability entities and other entities, both new and existing, are required to file. Failure to file will result in severe penalties. During this webinar, Attorney Vinnie Bonazzoli and guest presenter Attorney John D. Colucci will discuss this new law, who needs to file, the filing requirements, and traps for the unwary.
April 17, 2024, 12-1:30pm – Answers to Your Social Security Questions
Presented by: Kurt Czarnowski
Join us for a look at the complex topics of Social Security & Medicare in one of our most popular sessions with guest presenter 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.
March 20, 2024, 12-1:30pm – Medicaid Planning: Balancing Nursing Home Protection & Tax Reduction
Presented by: Vinnie Bonazzoli
As our population ages, protecting homes & assets from nursing home expenses is becoming increasingly more important. 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 gains, and estate tax consequences. During this webinar, we will also discuss recent changes to how Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) determines the value of a life estate when a property is sold.
Feb 28, 2024, 12-1:30pm – New Massachusetts Estate Tax Law and How to Plan for It (MA Standby Gifting Trust)
Presented by: Vinnie Bonazzoli
On October 4th, 2023, Governor Maura Healy enacted significant changes into law, one of which increased the Massachusetts exemption amount from $1M to $2M and provided that only amounts over $2M will be subject to tax. This provides a $99,600 estate tax credit for each person (resulting in a married couple being able to protect $4M from Massachusetts estate tax).
Although Massachusetts has reduced the overall estate tax, those who have estates of $2M or more (or may have this at the time they die), still need to do careful planning to take advantage of the maximum estate tax credit allowed. Saving on Massachusetts estate tax isn’t always in a family’s best interest, however, especially if it means a higher capital gains tax for beneficiaries. Additionally, non-residents who own Massachusetts real estate are also subject to Massachusetts estate tax. As a result, residents and non-residents alike need planning. During this webinar, we’ll cover recommendations 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 25, 2024, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The 2023-2024 State and Federal Law Update & Your Estate Plan
Join us for this webinar as we reflect on 2023 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 the strategies that we will employ to address the changes we know about and the changes that may come to pass.
December 6, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Planning for Special Needs Beneficiaries
Presented by: Attorneys Vincent E. Bonazzoli and Michele Fuller
For those families who have children or loved ones who are receiving governmental benefits, or advisors who have clients in this situation, failure to plan properly will result in the child or loved one losing vital benefits such as medical assistance. This webinar will focus on how to take care of the child or loved one and still have them maintain eligibility for these critical benefits. We will specifically discuss common planning mistakes that are made in titling assets and naming beneficiaries as well as errors made in wills and trusts. We will discuss the difference between third-party special needs trusts and first-party special needs trusts and when they should be used. We will also discuss issues of choosing a guardian, when to apply for guardianship, and when to use powers of attorneys and health care proxies. We are pleased to have Attorney Michele Fuller joining us, who is a national expert on special needs planning. She will also discuss the best options for taking care of your special needs child while balancing their relationships with their siblings and other family members with the goal of promoting the child’s independence.
November 14, 2023, Noon-1:00pm ∙ Estate Planning Around the Holidays – A Conversation Guide
Presented by: Attorneys Vincent E. Bonazzoli & Samantha Caezza
We have found the secret to a successful estate plan, which takes care of your family, is clear and open communication with your loved ones as to how you want to be taken care of as you age and the reasons behind your decisions in your estate plan. Most disagreements that arise after someone dies, which often leads to fractured family relationships and sometimes even litigation, are caused by misunderstanding around the intent and wishes expressed in your estate plan. Having the conversations before you die, allows you to clarify both your wishes and the intentions behind your decisions, ensuring that all of your loved ones understand that these decisions were made not because of a lack of love or affection but for purposeful reasons designed to take care of your family the way you would like. As the holidays approach, this webinar will provide suggestions and insights around how to not only broach the subject but also communicate your wishes effectively.
October 5, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The SECURE Act 2.0: Updates for 2023 and beyond
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. On February 24, 2022, proposed regulations clarified the SECURE Act 1.0, and then on December 29, 2022, Congress enacted what is now called the SECURE Act 2.0, which made further changes and clarifications. 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 the newest updates to the SECURE Act and potential strategies to minimize the adverse income tax consequences and continue asset protection.
September 14, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Medicare 101: How to Choose the Right Medicare Option for You
Presented by: Scott Maibor
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.
August 10, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Alphabet Soup: Understanding the Differences Between Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts
Presented by: Attorney Vincent E. Bonazzoli
RLTs, IRTs, ILITs, IGTs, SLATs, CLATs, QTIPs, and QPRTs…confused yet? Professionals like to throw these acronyms around like all of us understand what they mean, and it winds up looking like alphabet soup. If you have ever wondered what this means and how they help take care of your or your clients’ family, join us for this webinar where we will discuss the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts, in plain English. We will also offer examples of when you might want to use different types of trusts and hopefully bring clarity to confusion. Feel free to bring your “soup” as you join us for this lunchtime webinar.
June 14, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Trust Administration – What Happens With an Estate Plan After Death?
Presented by: Attorney Vincent E. Bonazzoli
So, you made a great plan while you were alive…what happens after you or a loved one dies? Unfortunately, the documents aren’t your fairy godmother, and they don’t wave a magic wand to
instantly pass your assets to your family. Join us for this webinar where we will discuss the specific steps that need to be addressed shortly after someone dies and in the months that follow. This webinar is a must for your trustees and loved ones since you can’t administer your own plan. We’ve found that understanding the process before someone dies can make the process after death much smoother for your family members and loved ones. We will also discuss what steps might be helpful just prior to death to smooth out the trust administration process afterward.
May 24, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Medicaid Planning: Balancing Nursing Home Protection & Tax Reduction
As our population ages, it is becoming increasingly 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. We will also discuss recent changes in how Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) determines the value of a life estate when a property is sold.
April 27, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Reducing Your Massachusetts Estate Tax: The Massachusetts Standby Gifting Trust & Planning for Massachusetts Real Estate
The Massachusetts estate tax affects estates over $1M, so estates below the federal estate tax exemption amount ($12,920,000 for 2023) could still incur a state estate tax bill of over $1,500,000. 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.
March 29, 2023, 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.
March 9, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The Family Care Meeting
Join us for this webinar where we will discuss the benefits of being able to personally communicate your estate planning wishes and plans to your trusted advisors and loved ones while you are still alive. We have found that having a Family Care MeetingTM increases the chances that your plan will work and that family harmony is maintained after you die. For clients, we would request that your loved ones also attend this webinar as well as your advisors, as this is a great way for you to help them understand how important this meeting and conversation is for them. For advisors, a Family Care MeetingTM is essential as family members, trustees, and loved ones will be contacting you in the event of death or disability. A Family Care MeetingTM is a great way to enhance your relationship with a client and their family while things are calm so that during a crisis everyone is able to work effectively and efficiently, having already established a relationship.
January 19, 2023, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The 2022-2023 State and Federal Law Update & Your Estate Plan
Join us for this webinar as we reflect on 2022 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 the strategies that we will employ to address the changes we know about and the changes that may come to pass.
November 2022 ∙ Mom Keeps Losing Her Keys: Is This Normal Aging?
October 24, 2022, 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, 2022, 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.
August 17, 2022, 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.
June 8, 2022, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The SECURE Act: A Significant Tax Increase Requiring New Planning for Qualified Retirement Assets (IRA, 401(k), 403(b), SEP-IRA, Profit-sharing plans)
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.
May 17, 2022, 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 ($12,060,000 for 2022) 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.
May 2, 2022, Noon-1:30pm ∙ Medicaid Basics and Recent Changes: 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. We will discuss recent changes in how Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth) determines the value of a life estate when a property is sold.
April 25, 2022, Noon-1:30pm ∙ The 2022 State and Federal Law Update & Your Estate Plan
Join us for this webinar where we will discuss the actual changes that took place in the law, changes that are still pending with current legislation, what the best course of action is in this time of uncertainty in the law, and a discussion about the changing landscape in estate planning as the laws are forcing us to look at not only the estate tax liability, but potential income and capital gains taxes resulting in estate planning having to look at the total tax liability for a family during life, at death and following the transfer of assets to beneficiaries. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.