In June of this year, the Supreme Court overruled key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”), thereby eliminating the definition of marriage as one between a man and woman. Not only did this represent a tremendous victory for same-sex spouses and modern families across the country, but it also extended numerous retirement benefits, employment benefits, and tax breaks that were not available pre-DOMA. We understand that it is difficult to read through all of …
Will My Child’s Divorce Affect My Estate Plan?
The divorce rate in the United States is currently about 50% of all marriages. Most parents do not want to see their estate assets go to a child’s divorced in-law in a marital property division even though they usually want their child, and their grandchildren, to benefit from their estate. What should parents do to take into consideration the possibility or probability of a child’s divorce?
The answer requires a general explanation of Massachusetts family law and how a probate…