Trusts

Trusts can be a useful tool for preserving your life savings and enabling you to pass your savings on to your heirs rather than paying excess estate taxes. The time to explore these possibilities is now. Any delay on your part could have a devastating effect on your intentions and wishes as to where and to whom you want your estate to be distributed.

The tax laws with regard to estates and gifts are in constant flux and our knowledgeable Medford family law attorneys can advise you on your options taking into account the current state of the law.

The estate plan that you may have been relying on may need to be updated/adjusted to ensure that your current plan is as effective as it was when originally drafted. If you have not had an attorney review your will, trusts, health care proxy and/or durable power of attorney recently, contact the Law Office of Kevin P. O'Malley.

We have experience in dealing with and with a network of financial planners, accountants and trust administrators to determine if a trust is appropriate and if so which type of trust should be implemented to meet the client's specific needs.

A trust is an entity which may legally hold money, property, investments, real estate and personal items for a named beneficiary. Think of a Trust as a "person" to whom you may give specific instructions to be carried out by the Trustee who in some case may be you!

Probate/Administration

"Probate" is the process triggered by the death of a loved one whereby the Probate Court approves and enforces each deceased person's will. Unfortunately, this process comes at a difficult time for the grieving family and they will usually want an attorney's assistance to make sure that the surviving spouse and heirs are taken care of financially in accordance with the deceased wishes.

When a loved one dies without a will or a will cannot be located, the family must participate in the process of Administration in order to distribute the assets, property and cash to the appropriate heirs.

The Probate/Administration process can seem complicated to the grieving family which is why you may want the Medford Family Law Attorneys to effectively assist you through the process while taking into account the painful loss and transition your family is facing.

Guardianships

Are you caring for someone who cannot take care of himself or herself? Are you making decisions for a family member who cannot make decisions for himself or herself? You may need a guardianship to make sure you legally have the right to make those decisions. If you are in doubt, contact us to discuss whether or not you need to be appointed guardian.

The attorneys at the Law Office of Kevin P. O'Malley are experienced at navigating through the maze of obtaining a guardianship over children aging family members and mentally-ill persons. We have successfully obtained for our clients guardianship over mentally-ill children, step-children, grandchildren, and aging family members and friends who are suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia or other similar afflictions

Conservatorships

If you have a friend, family member of colleague who cannot handle their own finances, contact us to discuss a conservatorship. A conservatorship allows an adult to control another person's finances either voluntarily or involuntarily. A conservatorship can help an aging family member who cannot "say no" to requests for money and/or a family member with a spending problem. A conservatorship may protect you from later claims by others despite the fact that you took appropriate actions that at the time were necessary. In our business it is often theme that "no good deed goes unpunished."
 
The Law Office of Kevin P. O'Malley has represented clients on all aspects of these matters. We have experience in navigating through the intricate process of obtaining a conservatorship, advising conservators and removing a conservator.