Novick & Meyers, located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, assist clients with all matters involving Probate and Estate Planning in Middlesex County. We also help clients in Lowell, Westford, Carlisle, Tewksbury, Dracut, Littleton, and Acton as well as Essex County.
Probate
Probate is the court proceeding through which a will is proved to be valid and the estate of a decedent is administered. The process, generally, includes collecting a decedent's assets, liquidating liabilities, paying necessary taxes, and distribution of property to heirs. We work hard to ensure that the estate is managed according to your family's wishes.
Estate Planning
Estate planning generally includes power-of-attorney, wills, designation of guardianships, living trusts, life insurance, family limited partnerships, educational trusts, health care directives, charitable remainder trusts, as well as business succession and insurance planning.
Wills & Trusts
We devote significant attention to drafting wills that accomplish the intent of our clients and that secures appropriate distribution of assets in accordance with their wishes. As part of the construction of the will, we work to ensure that the appropriate provisions are included to meet our clients' estate needs, and provide for ease of administration for the client's personal representative who is responsible for conducting the client's affairs after death. We also assist with the establishment of living trusts and charitable trusts.
Powers of Attorney
Financial Powers of Attorney are also an important tool used in estate planning. A power of attorney allows another person to make financial decisions for you. The power of attorney can allow the person you select to sign documents on your behalf, transfer real estate and other assets, pay bills and a variety of other financial transactions. The power of attorney can also be as limited as you chose.
Guardianships
When an individual is no longer capable of making decisions and they have not established a health care directive or financial power of attorney, it is often necessary to request that a guardian and conservator be appointed. Guardians are appointed to make decisions about medical treatment and care. They can determine who the doctor will be and where the individual will live. A conservator handles the financial matters of the individual's estate.
Living Wills
A living will is one of the most important documents a person can have. A Health Care Directive appoints a person to make decisions about your medical treatment when you are no longer able to make those decisions yourself. A living will is vital to make sure the person making those decisions is a person you trust.
If you have concerns regarding Probate or Estate Planning, contact us today for a free ½ hour initial consultation.