"CO$TS" of SERVICES
Think about saving Income Taxes, Real Estate transfer costs, Probate fees, and Long Term Care costs. You realize that Estate Planning Services really don't "cost." When you plan, you are making an investment that will return greater benefits to you and your family.
My clients value the ability to control expenses and
manage circumstances.
The Costs of Services listed below save and protect your financial and emotional resources.
A Step by Step Approach
Planning services are set up so that you can begin with the basics today, and then continue with other steps.
First Step: A Discovery Meeting
During our initial Discovery Meeting of up to 3 hours, we discuss:- how you want to manage and control assets if you become incapacitated during your lifetime;
- who will handle health care decisions if you are unable to;
- whether you want to transfer assets during your lifetime;
- what brings you peace of mind, including whether you want to avoid probate, protect assets from creditors, or provide for a disabled child or grandchild;
- how you want to be remembered;
- who will receive assets, and whether you want to provide special directions for distributing those assets.
Discovery Meeting: $400. Select a convenient time for Discovery Meeting.
Basic Estate Plan Documents: Will and Durable Power of Attorney Documents customized to your family circumstances. Health Care Proxy (Consolidated Health Care Instructions & Advance Directives for Connectict residents) and HIPPA Medical Release express your wishes for medical care and treatment. Married: $1,200 | Single: $750
Avoid Probate Plan. A Revocable Living Trust (coordinated with your Power of Attorney and Health Care documents) to manage your assets during your lifetime(s), and distribute your assets upon death, saving you and your family from Probate Court involvement. Married: $3,000 | Single: $2,000
Avoid Probate Plan with IRA Stretch. A Revocable Living Trust that preserves Tax Deferred status of IRA assets for your children, grandchildren or other beneficiaries, coordinated with Power of Attorney and Health Care documents to save you and your family from Probate Court involvement. Married: $4,000 | Single: $3,000
Wealth Protection Plan. Revocable Trusts with marital and bypass shares to avoid or reduce Federal and Massachusetts estate taxation. Trust clauses protect your beneficiaries from creditors, bankruptcies, and divorce, and save you and your family from Probate Court involvement. Married: $5,000
Irrevocable Wealth Protection Plan. Trust clauses protect you and your beneficiaries from divorcing spouses, creditors, and bankruptcies, and save you and your family from Probate Court involvement. Your principal residence exclusion is preserved, giving you housing flexibility for your lifetime. For couples, Trusts with marital and bypass shares to avoid Federal and Massachusetts estate taxation. Married: $6,000 | Single: $3,000
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
ILIT uses your annual Gift Tax exclusion to avoid Estate and Gift Tax. $2,000
Hourly fees for Probate and Estate Settlement: Attorney: $250.00. Paralegal: $100.00.
Click for more information on Probate of Estates, Guardianship and Conservatorship services,
and settling a small estate.
Voluntary Administration Statement for Testate (with a Will) and Intestate (without a Will) Estate
Initial consultation, Preparation and Explanation of the Petition forms you need to obtain access to assets of a small estate. The fee also includes an additional 1 hour consultation to review and finalize a Petition that is ready for you to file with the Probate Court. $500
Add Probate Court Filing Fee
Conveyance of Real Estate to Trust
Preparing and executing the Deed to transfer ownership of your property. $750
Registry of Deeds filing fees and title examination are not included. A title exam may also be required to protect your heirs and beneficiaries.
Real Estate Closing for Home Buyers
Services include reviewing your Purchase and Sale Agreement, gathering tax and utility information needed to prepare your settlement statement, and preparing the documents needed to complete the transaction. $850
I save you time and trouble by providing you with a draft settlement statement days before your closing. I represent you at the closing, explain all of the documents to you, and make sure that title to your property is clear.
Additional services include a title exam which is required to protect you and your lender. Your lender will also require title insurance, and you may also decide to purchase Owners Title Insurance.
Real Estate Closing for Home Sellers
Services include review of your Purchase & Sale Agreement, preparing the Deed to transfer ownership of your property, and gathering all the closing figures for you to review in advance of your closing.
I save you time and trouble by providing a draft settlement statement days before your closing.
I represent you at the closing. Most sellers decide not to attend the closing, since we deliver the proceeds check to them, or deposit it into their bank account. $850
Homestead Declaration $75
Includes $35 filing fee at Registry of Deeds