September 2024 Seminar Schedule
Boyd & Boyd, P.C. invites you to attend a series of estate planning seminars in September at various locations across Massachusetts. These events, led by Keats Boyd, focus on Trust & Estate Planning, including innovative strategies like the “Personal Asset Trust” and “IRA Inheritance Trust.” The firm, founded over 45 years ago, specializes in making complex legal concepts accessible and offers ongoing client education through newsletters and seminars. Boyd & Boyd, P.C. emphasizes the importance of keeping your estate plan up-to-date and provides a comprehensive “Owner’s Manual” for estate management.
To Check Schedule, CLICK HERE!
Join The Law Offices of Boyd & Boyd team for a series of informative and engaging seminars. We’ve even lined up some special guest speakers to enhance your experience.
These seminars are FREE, but the knowledge you’ll gain is priceless. Remember, planning is a process. Make sure your plan isn’t just gathering dust on a shelf. This is your chance to review what your plan can do for you, your family, and your legacy.
We ask anyone interested in attending to sign up by calling our reservation hotline (833) 495-8098 and leaving a message that includes name, phone, number of attendees, and date and location.
To Check Schedule, CLICK HERE!
We ask anyone interested in attending to sign up by calling our reservation hotline (833) 495-8098 and leave a message that includes name, phone, number of attendees and which date and location.
How To Fund Your Revocable Trust (2024)
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
Avoid one of the biggest mistakes people make with their estate plan – not properly transferring ownership of assets to their revocable trust. In this seminar, we will review how to transfer assets into your trust, which assets should be placed in a trust, which assets should never be put into a trust, and how to properly use pay-on-death designations.
You may want to have your investment account statements, bank statements, copies of beneficiary designations for retirement accounts, life insurance, and annuities in front of you when you watch this webinar. This will be a hands-on review of the steps everyone should take to ensure that their trust is fully funded so it will do everything it can.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
Did you know that your IRA, 401(k), or other qualified retirement account should not name your children or other family members as beneficiaries? Or that you should not name your revocable trust as beneficiary. In this webinar, we review the IRA Inheritance TrustTM and some of the recent changes in the law that impact inherited retirement plans. We will walk through the provisions that should be included and some of the recent changes to the trust. We will also review pending legislation in Massachusetts. If you don’t have an IRA Inheritance TrustTM, join us to learn about this important estate planning and asset protection tool.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
If you have ever reviewed your trust and wondered, “What does this legalese mean?” or “Why is my trust so long?” or “Why is this clause included in my trust?” then this is a great chance to get a better understanding of how your trust is designed.
During these seminars, we will go article by article through the trust document, describing the various Articles, Paragraphs, and Clauses. We will review how your trust should be built and several of the important options you may have included in your trust. We will also review recent changes in the law and how they impact your trust.
Who should attend this seminar?
• Donors, Current Trustees, Successor Trustees, and
• Children of clients, including Present & Future Beneficiaries of your Trust.
To Check Schedule, CLICK HERE!
We ask anyone interested in attending to sign up by calling our reservation hotline (508-862-1600) and leave a message that includes name, phone, number of attendees and which date and location.
The Basics of Modern Estate Planning -The On-Line Seminar is Available Now, CLICK HERE!
Join us for an informative educational on-line seminar that will review the basics of the modern estate plan. Learn the objectives that every estate plan should address, the fundamental tools that should be included, as well as how to:
This seminar has been described by past attendees as “Very enlightening” and “The best I have attended”. So join us by clicking on the link above to learn how whatever estate plan you have can be improved.
To Check Schedule, CLICK HERE!
We ask anyone interested in attending to sign up by calling our reservation hotline (508-862-1600) and leave a message that includes name, phone, number of attendees and which date and location.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
One of the biggest mistakes people make with their estate plan is failing to fund their revocable trust. People mistakenly believe that listing an asset on a schedule within the trust somehow “funds” their trust. But this does not work. The only way to properly fund your trust is for the asset’s title to show it is owned by your trust. In this seminar we will review how to transfer assets into your trust, which assets should placed in trust, which assets should never be put into a trust, and how to properly use pay on death designations.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
Join us as we walk through the IRA Inheritance TrustTM
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
Join us as we walk through the trust process and the documents required to setup a trust.
To Check Schedule, CLICK HERE!
We ask anyone interested in attending to sign up by calling our reservation hotline (508-862-1600) and leave a message that includes name, phone, number of attendees and which date and location.
Webinar Available Now, CLICK HERE!
Four important Tax Law proposals plus President Biden’s Budget proposal are before Congress and they seek to impose the most significant estate related tax increases in decades, some of which if passed will be retroactive! During this webinar we will review the proposals and the steps many middle and high income families should take now to preserve their wealth.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
This client only seminar will explain the serious ramifications of The SECURE Act that went into effect on January 1, 2020.
Webinar Available Now!
In this webinar you will learn how to protect everything you have and everyone you love, without being dependent on the courts. With proper planning, you can avoid the mistakes that cause lawsuits, bankruptcy and divorce to take everything you leave from everyone you love.This webinar is approximately 30 minutes.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
It is the end of the year already! Time to work through your year-end planning to plan for your future. Join us today!
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
Join us for an informative seminar that will describe recent changes in the law and how these changes can impact your estate plan. You will also learn a number of techniques that can be used to make your estate plan more effective and more efficient.
The Webinar is Ready Now, CLICK HERE!
Join us as we walk through the trust process and the documents required to setup a trust.
Coming soon
Have you considered down sizing? Or moving closer to your family? If so, please join us for an educational workshop on Real Estate for Seniors and Baby Boomers.
PAUL S.
With clients across Cape Cod, The Islands, and Southeastern Massachusetts, our firm focuses on estate planning as our primary practice area. Since 1976, we have been proud to offer Estate Planning services with a friendly approach that helps our clients understand the complexities of this process.
Our goal is to take the burden off your loved ones in a difficult time by assisting you with all your estate planning, elder law, and trust needs in a simple and understandable way. With a wide range of skills, each attorney on our team has the knowledge to walk you through the steps you may need to protect your assets and plan for the future. Our team of attorneys has helped our firm earn a listing in the Bar Register of Preeminent Attorney as well as the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory. Let our family take care of your family!
Certain life events can trigger the need for a revision of your estate plan. For example, a marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, relocation, the death of a spouse, and even changes in tax law. If none of these changes occur, we recommend you review your estate plan with your attorney every three years.
At the Law Offices of Boyd & Boyd, we offer a free alternative to one-on-one meetings with a planning attorney in the form of client seminars. During these seminars, we review trust documents with a group of clients and advise them on the latest changes in the law. We also do a funding review, ensuring clients have placed the appropriate assets onto their revocable trusts. Usually, minor changes need to be made to a client’s plan.
Having a clear plan for what happens to your assets after death is an unpleasant but necessary step for anyone wanting to ensure the well-being of their family. Protecting and preserving your hard-earned wealth can bring you and your loved ones more peace of mind. Early planning is the key to avoid undue stress, especially in the case of an unexpected death or disability.
Having an estate plan also helps minimize arguments among family memebers when it comes to who is entitled to what and allows you to decide who will take care of your minor children. There are many reasons you should have an estate plan. However, it can be a bit overwhelming to create an estate plan on your own, and you may find yourself with many questions and concerns. Our estate planning attorneys can help you craft a legal document that will help to ensure your loved ones are cared for and your wishes are respected.
Estate planning is simply a process of organizing your affairs and assets in a way that allows wealth to be transferred to loved ones while minimizing taxation and probate time and administrative fees. By having a complete estate plan, you are able to determine how your assets will be distributed and divided after your death, minimizing stress and unease for your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are respected.
If you don’t have an estate plan in place before your passing, the government will end up deciding what happens to your assets and how they will be divided based on the laws of your place of residence. More often than not, the outcomes from this situation are undesirable and may not conform to your wishes, causing undue stress to your loved ones. Our elder law attorney and estate planning attorney can help you with all aspects involved in drafting a plan that protects your assets and clearly defines beneficiaries.
Certain life events can trigger the need for a revision of your estate plan. For example, a marriage or divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, relocation, the death of a spouse, and even changes in tax law. If none of these changes occur, we recommend you review your estate plan with your lawyer every three years.
At Boyd & Boyd, we take pride in devoting our time to neighbors throughout Cape Cod, The Islands, and the surrounding areas in Southeastern Massachusetts, with our law firm conveniently located in Cape Cod. The largest of the 7 villages in the town of Barnstable, Hyannis is a ferry boat connection for passengers and freight to Nantucket Island. Our office is located 2.5 miles from Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center and about 1 minute from the culturally historic Cape Symphony. Our founder, Keats Boyd, is also a frequent guest on the WXTK 95.1 FM. With a rich history, Cape Cod is one of the most well-established communities in the country. Our Firm is proud to be a part of that legacy and honored to help you create one of your own.
Last month, President Trump signed the appropriations bill into law. Contained within the 1700+ page appropriations bill was the SECURE Act. This new law dramatically changes how inherited retirement plans must be distributed.
At Boyd & Boyd, P.C. we have been following these breaking developments. We will host a client only seminar on January 8, 2020 at 10 am to explain this important new law and the changes it brings. We will explain the law, how it impacts existing planning techniques such as the IRA Inheritance Trust (TM), as well as other planning opportunities that may be considered.
A: Income tax planning focuses on structuring your personal, trust, and estate assets to legally minimize your income tax liability during your lifetime and after your death. At Boyd & Boyd, P.C., we integrate income tax strategies with your broader estate plan to reduce taxes, maximize wealth preservation, and create more efficient distributions for heirs.
Q2: How are trusts taxed for income tax purposes?
A: Trusts are generally subject to compressed income tax brackets, meaning they can reach the highest federal tax rate much faster than individuals. However, certain types of trusts, like grantor trusts, pass income through to the creator’s personal tax return, while others, like irrevocable non-grantor trusts, file separate tax returns. Boyd & Boyd, P.C. helps clients design trusts with both income tax efficiency and asset protection in mind.
A: Estate taxes are levied on the transfer of assets after death, while income taxes apply to earnings, gains, and other income during life (and sometimes during the administration of an estate or trust). Both types of taxes require careful planning, but they involve different rules, strategies, and opportunities for savings.
A: Thoughtful income tax planning can significantly reduce the tax burden on your beneficiaries. Strategies such as basis step-up planning, qualified disclaimer planning, and structuring tax-advantaged trusts can help heirs retain more of their inheritance. Boyd & Boyd, P.C. tailors every plan to maximize after-tax value for future generations.
A: Yes. Charitable contributions can reduce your taxable income when structured properly. Donating appreciated securities, establishing Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs), or using Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) can create substantial income tax deductions while fulfilling your philanthropic goals. We help clients integrate charitable giving into both lifetime and legacy strategies.
A: Assets that appreciate during your lifetime, such as real estate or stocks, may be subject to capital gains tax when sold. However, if properly included in your estate at death, those assets generally receive a step-up in basis, eliminating capital gains tax on prior appreciation. Boyd & Boyd, P.C. structures plans to preserve step-up benefits and minimize taxes.
A: Yes. The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax applies to high-income individuals, trusts, and estates. Because trusts and estates can reach the NIIT threshold very quickly, tax-efficient planning is critical. We guide clients in structuring distributions, investment strategies, and trust income allocations to reduce exposure to this additional tax.
A: Absolutely. Strategically converting traditional IRA assets to Roth IRAs during lower-income years can reduce future income tax burdens on your retirement accounts. Roth IRAs also pass income-tax-free to heirs. We help clients evaluate whether and when Roth conversions make sense as part of their larger estate and income tax plans.
A: Gifting assets during life can reduce your taxable estate, but it may also trigger income tax considerations, such as loss of step-up in basis for the gifted asset. We help clients balance lifetime gifting strategies with income tax planning to maximize overall tax efficiency.
A: We work closely with clients and their financial advisors each year to review evolving tax laws, identify new planning opportunities, and adjust strategies as needed. From reviewing trust distributions to maximizing charitable deductions and optimizing investment tax efficiency, Boyd & Boyd, P.C. ensures your plan stays aligned with your financial goals and minimizes tax exposure.
Schedule a confidential consultation with Boyd & Boyd, P.C. to discover tax-smart strategies that protect and grow your wealth for future generations.
Book Your Income Tax Planning Consultation or Request Our Free Income Tax Strategy Guide.
If you’re like many people of considerable means, much of your financial focus is on building and protecting your wealth. It’s easy to tell yourself that estate planning is important — but you’ll get around to it eventually.
For high-net-worth individuals and families, however, estate planning is far more complex than for the average person. It takes time and thoughtful reflection to craft a plan that will serve your family’s needs for generations to come.
Here are some of the key reasons basic estate planning strategies aren’t sufficient if you have a very high net worth:
In 2025, the federal estate tax filing threshold is $13.99 million. Most people leave behind far less, so for the majority of people, there’s no need to plan to offset the federal estate tax. But for families that reside in the District of Columbia or one of the twelve states that still have a state estate or inheritance tax, the threshold is often significantly lower.
An estate planning attorney who doesn’t work with people of means may be unfamiliar with the best strategies for minimizing federal estate taxes and state estate taxes, and preserving wealth for the next generation. There are so many possible strategies that families with taxable estates might use. Some of the more common tools include:
It’s wise for anyone to have a power of attorney and a plan in case they become incapacitated. However, if you have a high net worth, you may own businesses or serve on the boards of multiple companies. You may also have properties that need to be managed.
Any solid estate plan must contain detailed (and up-to-date) steps outlining how to proceed if you’re suddenly unable to manage your own affairs.
Probate can be messy, complex, and costly. This is doubly true if you have considerable assets. Your attorney can help you employ tools like living trusts to protect your family and keep your assets out of probate.
The average person’s estate plan includes a home, bank account, and investment portfolios. However, if your net worth is high enough, your assets are likely spread across many different classes. Your estate plan may need to account for assets like the following:
A comprehensive estate plan will protect all of your assets and preserve as much as possible for the next generation.
To create a sophisticated estate plan, you need ample time and an estate planning attorney familiar with the needs of high-net-worth families. Boyd & Boyd, P.C. is committed to helping families like yours. Contact us online or call us at (508) 444-9688 today to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals.
Just because a firm focuses on estate planning doesn’t mean its lawyers are familiar with the planning needs of high-asset families. The right attorney will understand which strategies to use to lower your tax burden and preserve your wealth.
As a general rule of thumb, you should review your estate plan every six months and revisit your estate plan with your attorney annually. Some form of update is common every three to five years, as well as after significant life events. Ensuring that your estate plan reflects your current needs and wishes is just as important as creating one in the first place.
