Filling out a Will online feels convenient until your family finds out it does not actually work. I get the temptation. You Google simple Will, click a link, download a template, and suddenly feel like you handled your future in under thirty minutes. At Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law,
It feels natural to give money to your kids, but when it comes to Medicaid, generosity can come back to bite you. As the Christmas season approaches, many families are in a giving mood. Parents help with down payments, pay off student loans, or transfer the family home as a
Imagine your family sitting in court, waiting for a judge to decide who gets what. That is exactly what happens when someone dies without a valid will or trust. It is called dying intestate, and it means the state steps in to make decisions about your estate—who inherits your property,
It’s true. When two families come together, there is a lot to celebrate. There is also a lot to figure out, especially when it comes to money, inheritance, and making sure everyone feels treated fairly. In estate planning, those layers of love, loyalty, and responsibility can get complicated fast. Without
Probate might not involve ghosts or haunted houses, but it can be just as frightening for families who are unprepared. Imagine your loved ones mourning your loss, only to find themselves stuck in a legal process that drags on for months, drains money, and exposes private family details to the
When I was 18, money felt like something I would figure out “someday.” Budgeting seemed boring, credit cards felt like free money, and retirement planning was for people who owned houses and could fold fitted sheets without breaking a sweat. Fast forward a few decades, and I see how much
A client once shared a story about her father, who spent his entire life building a successful business. He passed away believing his children would keep it thriving for decades. Within just five years, the business was sold, the money was divided, and most of it was gone. No one
At Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law, one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners is: “If I leave my house to my children, will they have to go through probate?” It’s a smart question, because real estate is often a family’s biggest asset, and probate can be
At Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law, we hear this question all the time from families in crisis: “Mom suddenly needs nursing home care. Do we really have to spend down everything she owns before she can qualify for Medicaid?” It’s a heartbreaking and stressful situation. Nursing homes are expensive,
At Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law, we meet with retirees all the time who are thinking about downsizing. Sometimes it’s about saving money, sometimes it’s about simplifying life, and sometimes it’s about being closer to the grandkids. Whatever the reason, downsizing isn’t just about picking a smaller house. It’s
