You’re Attempting to Create Your Estate Plan with DIY Tools
Interested in trying to prepare your own estate plan? There are resources available to assist you, such as online services, computer software and how-to books. Do-it-yourself (DIY) estate planning may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars up front.
If your estate is modest…
Interested in trying to prepare your own estate plan? There are resources available to assist you, such as online services, computer software and how-to books. Do-it-yourself (DIY) estate planning may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars up front.
If your estate is modest in size, your assets are solely in your name, and…
For the first time in nearly 40 years, an asbestos case was tried to verdict in Rhode Island. This case, The Estate of Bonnie Bonito, resulted in a full defense verdict!
I. Factual Background
Plaintiffs alleged that Bonnie Bonito died of mesothelioma caused by her exposure to asbestos from laundering her ex-husband’s work clothes for…
A financial power of attorney (POA) can be a critical component of your estate plan. It appoints a trusted representative (often called an agent) to make financial decisions on your behalf in the event you’re unable to do so.
Without a POA, if you become incapacitated because of an accident or illness, your loved ones…
Dueling Executive Orders
In recent weeks, outgoing President Joe Biden and incoming President Donald Trump each issued a Presidential Memorandum to withdraw extensive areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for future energy development. President Biden withdrew over 625 million acres from future leasing for offshore oil and gas development on January 6, 2025. On…
A Health Savings Account (HSA) can positively affect your estate plan. How? In addition to serving as a viable option to reduce health care costs, an HSA’s funds grow on a tax-deferred basis. In fact, an HSA is similar to a traditional IRA or 401(k) plan in that it’s a tax-advantaged savings account funded with…
On August 6, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed into law, the Affordable Homes Act, (H.4977) authorizing nearly $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years with approximately 49 policy initiatives to counter rising housing costs in the Commonwealth and create more affordable housing in Massachusetts. Importantly, effective February 2, 2025, the bill includes a…
The USPTO has announced fee increases and new fees for patents and trademarks to take place on January 18, 2025, for trademarks, and January 19, 2025, for patents. The increase in fees and the introduction of new fees by the USPTO is significant, necessitating careful budget considerations requiring many applicants to adjust filing and prosecution…
Even with a comprehensive estate plan, it’s likely you’ll have some assets in a residuary estate. Like the sediment at the bottom of your glass after you finish a fine wine, an estate plan may also leave some residue.
This residue takes the form of assets left over after your executor has paid the estate’s…
Rhode Island’s Electronic Monitoring in Nursing and Assisted Facilities Act (the “Act”) will become effective January 30, 2025.[1] The Act allows for installation and use of electronic monitoring devices, including any photo, video, and/or audio surveillance equipment with a fixed position, that broadcasts or records activities or sounds occurring in a facility resident’s room…