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What about Fluffy? Pet Trusts: Another Important Estate Planning Tool

January 27, 2010 by Kristina

It’s estimated that two-thirds of American households currently have at least one pet, a number that has steadily increased in the last 60 years. With more pets comes a growing industry devoted to helping Americans better care for, and even indulge, their pets, has developed. Businesses that provide pet day care, pet sitters, grooming, spa services, and even pet cemeteries have become common.

Many even consider pets part of their family, a sort of child, brother, sister, or at the very least, friend. Since so much love and attention is given to these fury and feathery companions, many wish to provide for their animals in the event that they become incapacitated or die before their pet. With family greed, skepticism, and fraud on the rise, many seek a better solution than hoping Junior will “do the right thing.” As a matter of fact, owner death and/or disability is one of the top reasons that animals end up in Shelters across the country. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elder Needs, Estate Plan Review, Family, Trusts, Uncategorized, Wills Tagged With: estate planning, Estate Planning for Pets, Pet Trusts, Trusts

Ring in the New Year with an Estate Plan!

December 30, 2009 by Kristina

Resolutions abound as the New Year quickly approaches. Each year we make a pact with ourselves to make lifestyle changes for the better. Whether it is to exercise more, skip the daily fast-food lunch breaks, or give up bad reality television, the intentions are always good, though often we do not follow through. How many times have we seen the new year rush at the local gym, but notice the crowds slowly dwindle come the beginning of February? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Estate Plan Review, Trusts, Uncategorized, Wills Tagged With: estate planning, Estateplan

Astor Matter Reminds Us that Trustworthiness is Essential When Nominating Substitute Decision Makers

October 22, 2009 by Kristina

Lately, the matter of Brooke Astor’s estate has been covered in the media. Like many people she had an estate plan in place which included a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy, which nominated subsituted decision makers in the event she would lose the capacity to make important financial and/or medical decisions at some point during her elder years. She did not want to burden her family with obtaining a Guardianship and/or Conservatorship through the courts. She did end up suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and her son took over her financial powers. He just didn’t do a very good job… [Read more…]

Filed Under: Conservatorship, Durable Power of Attorney, Elder Needs, Estate Plan Review, Family, Guardianship, Health Care Proxy, Uncategorized Tagged With: caregivers, celebrity estates, child, Durable Power of Attorney, elder, elder abuse, elder law, elder law attorney, estate plan, estate planning, Family, Health Care Proxy, Massachusetts, Probate Court, seniors

Why I Also Make Housecalls

June 1, 2009 by Kristina

While some clients book traditional consultations at my office, I always make myself available for home visits with my clients. While the idea of a housecall has gone the way of black & white televisions, I find that meeting clients in their home, on their “turf,” helps make what is usually an emotional process, a bit more comfortable. In their home, clients tend to be more relaxed and at ease. The conversation goes a different way and I can sense the pride they have in sharing their home with someone. Coffee and tea flow more easily and taste better from your favorite mug than a styrofoam cup. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elder Needs, Housecalls Tagged With: attorney, elder, elder law attorney, estate plan, estate planning, Family, home bound, Housecalls, Massachusetts, reward, seniors, worcester, worcester county

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Vickstrom Law


Vickstrom Law, PC
Kristina R. Vickstrom, Esq.
255 Park Avenue, Suite 507
Worcester, MA 01609
508.757.3800


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