Will Several Significant Changes To New Hampshire Laws Affect Your Estate Planning?

Effective January 1, 2018, NH adopted a version of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. One of the more important provisions under the new law is that banks and financial institutions are prevented from arbitrarily refusing to accept powers of attorney. Bank and investment company refusals to accept powers of attorney are an increasingly common […]

Can Former Spouse Still Inherit Assets?

Q: Estate planning client has concerns about whether her former spouse can still inherit her assets? A client had been through a divorce several years before coming to our office for a will, trust and some business transition strategy advice. During marriage she had built up a profitable business, and had retained several assets post-divorce, […]

Amherst, New Hampshire estate planning client asks:

Is an LLC a good way to hold and transfer the family vacation home? Since family vacation homes often provide a refuge for family members to gather and enjoy one another’s company, parents are often in search of ways to keep these properties in the family. Before implementing such planning, however, parents should gauge whether […]

Who administers an estate when there is no Will, spouse and no children?

This question was posed by a Nashua area probate client who recently lost a close friend. Unfortunately, his friend died without a will or any immediate family members. When a person dies owning property in his own name and has no Will, the property left behind must pass through probate before it can be transferred […]

Amherst Estate Planning

Amherst estate planning client wants to know: How do Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump differ on the Estate Tax? Donald Trump wants to repeal the estate tax. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, would increase the estate tax rate and lower the threshold at which it kicks in, from $5.45 million (or $10.9 million for […]

Nashua Business Owner Questions Business Probate

We recently had a Nashua business owner voice concerns about how to avoid “business probate”. There are a variety of methods of providing a smooth non-probate succession for small business owners.If there are multiple owners, then there should be buy-sell agreements embedded in the governing documents: LLC Operating Agreement; Shareholder Agreement; Partnership Agreement; These can […]

Nashua Business Planning Client Real Estate Transfer Tax Question

Nashua business planning client owning several rental properties has concerns regarding being caught in New Hampshire’s real estate transfer tax (RETT) net. Can property be transferred from a joint tenancy with rights of survivorship to a newly created LLC for added liability protection and administrative ease? Can real estate held as “tenants in common” be […]

The small business owners lament…

“I’m too busy running the company” – “That’ll never happen to me” Some all too common refrains uttered by hard working business owners are: “I’m too busy running the company” and “That’ll never happen to me.” In our firm’s estate planning/business planning practice it is evident that most New Hampshire business owners have not reviewed […]

Nashua estate planning client has concerns…

…about the use of an irrevocable trust and qualifying for Medicaid. Many clients have legitimate concerns about the use of an irrevocable trust in their estate plans. In short, the use of irrevocable trusts should be used only in those situations in which the client is prepared to give up control and access to the […]

Nashua, NH: Concerns About Estate Taxes and Business Succession Plan

Nashua Small Business Owner has Concerns About How Estate Taxes Will Affect His Business Succession Plan. Estate taxes and proper estate planning are an important consideration for all New Hampshire closely held business owners. A successful small business recently asked how the IRS will establish “fair market value” for their closely held business that is […]

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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!”
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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

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Wills & Estates