Understanding Credit Shelter Trusts and Marital Trusts in Massachusetts Estate Planning
For Massachusetts families seeking to preserve wealth and minimize estate taxes, credit shelter trusts and marital trusts are two of the most important estate planning tools available. When structured correctly, they can reduce or even eliminate estate taxes while ensuring that a surviving spouse and other beneficiaries are properly provided for. How Credit Shelter and Marital Trusts Work Credit […]
My Parents Owned Property in Florida but Lived in Massachusetts — Which State Handles Estate Taxes?
It is increasingly common for Massachusetts families to own property in multiple states, especially Florida. Many retirees spend winters in Florida, purchase vacation homes there, or eventually pass away while temporarily residing there during retirement. This often creates confusion for surviving family members trying to determine which state controls the estate and if estate taxes apply. One […]
Do I Have to Worry About Massachusetts Estate Tax?
Many Massachusetts residents are surprised to learn that estate taxes may apply long before a family considers itself “wealthy.” With rising home values, retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and life insurance proceeds, it is increasingly common for families to unintentionally cross the Massachusetts estate tax threshold without realizing it. For this reason, estate tax planning has become an […]
Attorney David M. Beliveau Recognized on 2026 Super Lawyers List
Beliveau Law Group, LLC is pleased to announce that its founder, Attorney David M. Beliveau, has been selected to the 2026 Super Lawyers list—an honor reserved for a select group of attorneys demonstrating outstanding professional achievement and peer recognition. Attorney Beliveau, Esq., CPA represents both individuals and businesses across Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. As […]
Smart Estate Planning for Everyday Families
Estate planning is often misunderstood as something only necessary for the wealthy. In reality, most families have the same core concerns—protecting their home, securing their retirement, providing for their children, and avoiding unnecessary financial loss. Thoughtful planning is not about complexity—it is about making practical decisions that protect what matters most. Understanding the key areas […]
How Can You Avoid Probate?
Probate is the legal process used to settle a person’s estate after he or she passes away. While it serves an important purpose, many families prefer to avoid probate when possible due to the time, cost, and public nature of the process. With thoughtful planning, it is often possible to transfer assets more efficiently and privately. This article […]
What Happens If You Die Without a Will?
Many people delay estate planning because they assume everything will “automatically go” to their spouse or children. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. If someone dies without a valid will, state law, not the decedent, determines who inherits his or her property. What Does It Mean to Die “Intestate”? When a person dies without a valid will, he […]
Who is responsible for paying the house taxes when the house is part of a trust?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: My mom is the beneficiary of my grandma’s house and my daughter is the trustee of the trust of which the house is part of. My mom is telling my daughter that she is financially obligated to pay the house taxes out of her own money. I understood it as my daughter is […]
Is Probate Always Required in Massachusetts?
When a loved one passes away in Massachusetts, one of the first questions families often ask is whether the estate must go through probate. Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person’s assets are identified, debts and expenses are paid, and remaining property is transferred to heirs or beneficiaries. While probate is sometimes unavoidable, not every estate […]
About Filial responsibility?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Hello, I am the oldest of 3 siblings. We provide all financial support to our elderly mother to pay her rent and other utilities (which my youngest sibling lives in too and makes use of.) My question is, is even though I pay for most of my mother’s expenses along with my other […]