Merrimack, NH estate planning clients

…have questions regarding treatment of the primary home, trusts and jointly owned property in elder law/nursing home context. Many of our estate planning clients have elderly family members who are confronted with the possibility of nursing home care. Questions regarding specific types of assets and Medicaid qualification are common. In New Hampshire, any real estate, […]

Amherst, New Hampshire estate planning clients…

…have questions and concerns about Joint Ownership of property and accounts in their estate plans. In joint ownership, two or more persons share an undivided fractional ownership in property with rights of survivorship. This mechanism is effective for avoiding probate, because the property passes automatically upon the death of one joint owner to the surviving […]

Nashua area estate planning clients have questions about transferring the family home to a “Child Care Giver”

In general, a transfer of the family home without consideration (i.e. a gift) within 5 years of an application for Medicaid will make the parent ineligible to receive Medicaid based nursing home care. One very important exception is the “Caregiver Child Exception”. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. 1396p (c) (2) (A) (iv), the period of ineligibility […]

Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and ways to avoid them)

1. Not reviewing and updating your estate plan. You should periodically review your estate plan to make sure it reflects your current wishes. Failing to address changes in the law or in your financial and family situations can result in unnecessary taxes, family conflicts, and unintended people receiving a significant part of your estate. If […]

Life Estates

Nashua, NH area client asks: Does a life estate make sense for my property? When someone creates a life estate (the “grantor”), she devises a certain piece of real estate to someone for his life (the “life tenant”). Once he dies, ownership of the property either reverts back to the grantor, or goes to the […]

Merrimack New Hampshire Clients Ask Whether A Revocable Trust Should be Funded To Avoid Probate

This blog is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein should not be construed as offering legal advice or a legal opinion. This question was asked recently at an initial trust review meeting with a married couple from Merrimack, New Hampshire who had drafted their trust and other estate planning documents some years […]

New Hampshire Probate Attorneys Can Help Decide if a Will Should be challenged

This blog is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein should not be construed as offering legal advice or a legal opinion. You can challenge a will if facts indicate that the will was not properly signed or was the result of fraud, mistake, or undue influence upon the person who made the […]

Nashua, NH area estate planning client posed this question:

This blog is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein should not be construed as offering legal advice or a legal opinion. “I don’t have a large estate. Do I still need to do estate planning?” A potential new Nashua area estate planning client posed this question at our initial consultation. Most estate […]

Limited Representation Attorneys

This blog is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein should not be construed as offering legal advice or a legal opinion. Anyone who has had a need to talk with or employ a lawyer knows that lawyers are not cheap; and the State of New Hampshire continues to make its courts more […]

Probate and the Rules of Estate Administration

This blog is intended for informational use only. The information contained herein should not be construed as offering legal advice or a legal opinion. Most New Hampshire families know a friend or relative who has been involved in “probating an estate” of a friend or loved one. However, confusion still persists about the probate process.Probate […]

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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.”
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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.”
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Wills & Estates