Estate Planning
Secure your family's future with a comprehensive estate plan tailored to your unique needs.
Protecting What Matters Most
Estate planning is about more than just distributing assets—it's about protecting your loved ones, preserving your legacy, and ensuring your wishes are carried out. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through every step of the process, creating a plan that provides peace of mind for you and your family.
Your Family
Will & Trust
Legacy Protection
Our Estate Planning Approach
- Building a fulfilling and trusting relationship with our clients
- Listening carefully in order to fully understand our clients' needs, hopes, fears and aspirations
- Communicating clearly the most efficient and cost-effective manner in which our clients can accomplish their goals
- Implementing a plan that our clients understand
- Providing any necessary service to assure the success of the estate plan
- Continuing communication with clients regarding estate and tax law changes that may affect their plan
The Estate Planning Process
Initial Consultation
We meet to understand your family situation, assets, and goals.
Plan Development
We design a customized estate plan that addresses your specific needs.
Implementation
We prepare all necessary documents and guide you through the signing process.
Ongoing Protection
We provide continued support as your life circumstances change.
Our fundamental estate plan requires approximately two to three weeks to design, draft and implement. This essential level of estate planning, which nearly all of our clients require, can completely shelter up to $1,000,000 for individuals and $2,000,000 for married couples from Massachusetts estate tax. The same planning can further shelter up to $10,000,000 from federal estate tax.
For our clients with larger estates, we employ the same process of listening, learning, designing and drafting, but due to the relative complexities of a larger estate, more time is required for the implementation of the advanced estate plan. However, attorneys at Cody, Cody & McCarthy will work with you to ensure that your plan is completed in the most efficient manner possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an estate plan if I don't have significant assets?
Yes, estate planning is important for everyone, regardless of wealth. Even with modest assets, an estate plan ensures your wishes are carried out, designates guardians for minor children, and can help avoid family conflicts and probate costs.
How often should I update my estate plan?
We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, significant changes in assets, or moving to a different state.
What's the difference between a will and a trust?
A will is a legal document that directs who receives your property upon death and appoints a guardian for minor children. A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets for beneficiaries, often avoiding probate and providing more control over asset distribution.
How long does it take to create an estate plan?
Our fundamental estate plan typically requires approximately two to three weeks to design, draft, and implement. More complex estates may require additional time.
The only 'little thing' I want to worry about is right here. Cody, Cody & McCarthy makes sure that's possible.
They call it "Estate Planning" – I call it making sure that Emily here has everything she needs. I've invested a lot of time and money to make sure that my family is taken care of and I don't want to see that slip away because of a lack of planning.
Michael A*
Braintree, Massachusetts
Ready to Get Started?
Our estate planning attorneys are ready to help you create a plan that protects your family and assets.
Schedule a ConsultationRelated Practice Areas
Asset Protection
When it comes to protecting your assets, the little things matter. Our attorneys provide real-world advice on asset protection planning.
Estate & Trust Administration
Cody, Cody & McCarthy handles all aspects of Estate Administration and assists in making sure that a decedent's wishes are carried out.
Elder Law & Medicaid Planning
Many of our clients are seeking to protect their assets from the cost of long-term care. Our attorneys work with families to custom design a plan.
Ready to Start Your Estate Plan?
Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We'll help you create an estate plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Schedule a Consultation