Nashua clients ask when to consider updating or revising our estate plans?

Even the best-laid plans may need to be revisited and updated periodically to ensure they conform to your wishes. The following are several of the most common events that necessitates revisiting, or possibly revising, your estate planning documents: 1. Marriage. Did you, a child or another family member named in your estate plan get married […]

Estate Planning Client Has Questions

Nashua, New Hampshire Estate Planning Client Has Questions re: her “stuff” (i.e., passing on personal belongings). In the immortal words of the late comedian, George Carlin, much of our efforts and angst in life are centered around what to do with our “stuff”. While his classic routine was spot on, to avoid disputes concerning said […]

Which Assets Will Go Through Probate?

Nashua Estate Planning Client Asks One of the key questions to address during any discussion about estate planning and probate is to understand the difference between probate and non-probate assets. Probate is the process through which a court determines how to distribute someone’s property after they die. Assets that are distributed to heirs through the […]

How to Get Started With Business Succession Planning

Nashua Business Owner Has Questions The Covid-19 pandemic has created a new sense of urgency in the local business community to implement or update their business succession plans. A comprehensive business succession plan will increase the chances that a business will survive the retirement, disability, or death of its owner. A good plan will combine […]

Amherst Estate Planning Client Seeks to Avoid Two Costly Estate Planning Mistakes

Assuming life insurance proceeds are excluded from her estate. Many clients believe that insurance proceeds are tax-free. That is correct as far as income taxes are concerned, but not for estate taxes. The reality is that the proceeds of all life insurance policies owned by you are included in your estate for estate tax purposes. […]

My Parents Want to Move to a Residential Care Home In Bedford

How can I avoid the need for a guardian? In order to avoid the imposition of the appointment of a court approved guardian, a person should have at least two primary documents which take care of the person’s financial concerns, and also the person’s medical decisions. After a person turns 18 years of age and […]

The new “Secure Act” legislation

The new “Secure Act” legislation expected to be passed by Congress will affect estate planning & retirement planning in 2020 and beyond. As part of the late 2019 pile of bills expected to be passed to keep the government open, it is anticipated that Congress will pass a bill that will affect the retirement savings […]

Undue Influence on Last Will

My mother died and left almost everything to my brother, and very little to me. I think my brother influenced our mother to change her Last Will. What can I do? A legal action may be brought against the brother for undue influence if it is supported by the evidence. First, consider carefully what makes […]

NH Homestead Allowance

Q: Nashua estate planning client has questions about whether his parent’s manufactured home is covered by the NH “homestead” allowance? A homestead is a dwelling owned and used as the principal place of residence by the person claiming the homestead. Under RSA 480:1 every person is “entitled to $120,000 worth of his or her homestead, […]

The Importance of Drafting a Will: The Case of Aretha Franklin

If you have ever wondered if it is worth the time and effort to draft a will, look no further than the Aretha Franklin estate for your answer. Aretha Franklin left an eighty-million-dollar estate comprised of the assets of her musical legacy, and it was initially presumed that she left no will. When someone dies […]

Firm Overview

Latest Client Testimonials

I was referred to Jack White by a friend who hired him to represent her during her own divorce. I was going through some very rough times trying to prepare the documents I needed to file my own divorce case. I had asked Jack if he could take some time to look over the paperwork and “spot check” my work. I am SO glad I did. Jack was very knowledgeable in his field and very professional. I can’t thank him enough for taking the time to set me on the right path and to answer my legal questions. I would highly recommend him and the entire Welts, White and Fontaine staff to anyone in need of legal assistance.”
Michelle T.

I am thankful for the professional guidance and legal advice Michael Fontaine provided me throughout my difficult process. I appreciate his looking out for me during the emotional stress and exhaustive process of the divorce experience. His kind manner and guidance enabled me to continuously move forward. He and his staff provided exceptional legal assistance in helping me navigate in a confident manner. I will always be grateful that he was the “Bulldog” that I needed as we moved through Mediation to Settlement!”
Pam T.

This firm is outstanding… my company has done business with them for nearly 20 years and I am always impressed with the accessibility of the staff and the down to earth personalized service. Aside from pesky legal issues that crop up which is part of running a company, my son recently suffered a back injury due to a rear end collision. Welts, White & Fontaine made us feel truly represented and negotiated for us a settlement that I believe would have otherwise been impossible to achieve with any other firm.”
Anthony W. - New England Painting

View More Client Testimonials

Estate Planning