LAW 580 - Trusts & Estates

An authoritative source on estate planning and taxation. The author examines issues regarding capital gains, asset protection, family limited partnerships, and charitable remainder trusts. Also reviews changes in Massachusetts probate law with the adoption of the Uniform Probate Code.

Definitive manual for estate planning. Addresses the most frequently encountered planning issues and provides practical answers, this comprehensive guide takes the practitioner from the initial steps in handling an estate planning matter through post-mortem estate planning opportunities and strategies.

With its many fact-driven issues, estate planning is perfectly suited to the hypothetical approach you will find in Drafting Estate Plans. The book covers such topics as the estate plan for a young couple with children, grandparents who wish to make bequests to their grandchildren, the married couple with a potentially taxable estate, the client who seeks a plan to perpetuate a family business, and the individual looking at retirement and beyond.

Offers over 300 plain-English clause options, accompanied by practice suggestions and brief overviews of relevant authority. Each will or trust drafting objective contains sample clause language along with common options, enabling the practitioner to create basic documents and more complex alternatives.

All the essential issues in Massachusetts trust law and practice can be found in this book, including formation of the trust; duties, powers, and liabilities of trustees; responsibilities for various types of trust investments, including guidance on the Massachusetts Prudent Investor Act; distribution, funding, and accounting issues; duties relating to income tax and GST tax; obtaining the court's assistance with trust administration; administration of charitable trusts; and trust termination.

From the publoication, Preparing Fiduciary Income, Gift, and Estate Tax Returns

From the publication, Crocker's Notes on Common Forms

Follow this link to find full-text resources from Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE). You will also find audio resources, video, and webcasts that discuss elements of the law. Ask a librarian for login information.

Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code online

The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code online

Here the Masachusetts Court system has pulled together links to statutes, forms, and the best resources on the web, and print material.

A description of Massachusetts Probate proceedings by NOLO