Jill M. Santiago Law Offices

Estate Planning Attorney in Rhode Island & Massachusetts

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Blog

Blog

Estate Planning Tips, Tricks, and Breaking News

Who Are The 5 Actors (Roles) In A Living Trust?  And Why They’re Important to Understand Before Sitting Down With Your Estate Planning Attorney

Who Are The 5 Actors (Roles) In A Living Trust?  And Why They’re Important to Understand Before Sitting Down With Your Estate Planning Attorney

Jill Santiago – July 22, 2024
Imagine a living trust as a well-directed play, with each person involved acting a crucial role to ensure everything runs smoothly. As an estate planning attorney, I often find that explaining these roles as "actors" in a play helps clients understand their responsibilities and importance. Let's meet the main actors...
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What To Do If You Suspect A Trustee Is Being Dishonest?

What To Do If You Suspect A Trustee Is Being Dishonest?

Jill Santiago – July 8, 2024
A living trust is a common estate planning tool. When creating your trust, one of the most important choices you'll make is who will serve as your trustee. In most cases, at the time you create your living trust, you will be your own trustee for as long as you...
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Creating a Comprehensive Estate Plan as a Rhode Island-Florida Snowbird 

Creating a Comprehensive Estate Plan as a Rhode Island-Florida Snowbird 

Jill Santiago – June 17, 2024
Let’s face it. New England winters are harsh! As the chill of winter sets in, many Rhode Islanders migrate to warmer climates, spending the warm months up north, and the cold ones down south. We refer to them as “Snowbirds.” A Snowbird is somebody who leaves their colder, full-time residence...
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MA vs. RI: Is My Estate Plan Valid In All States?

MA vs. RI: Is My Estate Plan Valid In All States?

Jill Santiago – May 13, 2024
People move around a lot these days. I am often asked about whether an estate plan created in a different state will still work after a move, or if an estate plan applies to property owned in another state. The answer is–it depends! First and foremost, a will or trust...
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How NOT To Plan For Your Death (Shortcuts + Pitfalls in Estate Planning)

How NOT To Plan For Your Death (Shortcuts + Pitfalls in Estate Planning)

Jill Santiago – April 15, 2024
When creating an estate plan, it is not uncommon for people to overlook important details or resort to shortcuts that lead to complications down the road. Over the years I have become familiar with the many shortcuts people take in their estate planning and the many pitfalls of inadequate planning....
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How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan in Rhode Island?

How Often Should You Update Your Estate Plan in Rhode Island?

Jill Santiago – April 1, 2024
After creating an estate plan - whether a will or a trust - clients often ask, “When should I update my estate plan?” The simple answer is–whenever necessary! Three things in life are certain: death, taxes and change.  In this post, I will focus on change. There are numerous occasions...
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Online Estate Plan vs. Working With An Experienced Attorney: Which is Best?

Online Estate Plan vs. Working With An Experienced Attorney: Which is Best?

Jill Santiago – March 18, 2024
In today's digital age, convenience is king. With just a few clicks, you can order groceries, book travel, and yes, even create an estate plan online. While the allure of do-it-yourself solutions may seem tempting, there's one crucial aspect that online services lack – personalized expertise. In this blog post,...
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Special Needs 101: What You Need To Know About Estate Planning For Special Needs in Rhode Island

Special Needs 101: What You Need To Know About Estate Planning For Special Needs in Rhode Island

Jill Santiago – March 4, 2024
Special needs planning is designed to provide a secure and supportive future for individuals with disabilities, ensuring their needs are met long after their caregivers have passed. In this post, we will explore who benefits from special needs estate planning, when and why it is crucial and the compassionate foundation...
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Do I Really Need A Living Trust? Rhode Island Residents

Do I Really Need A Living Trust? Rhode Island Residents

Jill Santiago – January 8, 2024
“Do I have enough wealth to justify setting up a trust?” This is a common question. Many people (attorneys included) are under the impression there is some magical dollar amount of wealth one must attain before a Living Trust makes sense. Simple answer, is that no such magical amount exists....
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Revocable Trusts vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the difference in Rhode Island?

Revocable Trusts vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the difference in Rhode Island?

Jill Santiago – November 22, 2023
Trusts are essential tools for managing your assets and ensuring your wishes are carried out efficiently. However, not all trusts are the same, and whether you need a trust (if you are reading this you probably do) and what type of trust you need depends on your circumstances and your...
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Understanding Special Needs Trusts in Rhode Island

Understanding Special Needs Trusts in Rhode Island

Jill Santiago – October 9, 2023
Caring for a loved one with special needs involves unique challenges, including financial planning for their future well-being. Special Needs Trusts, sometimes referred to as Supplemental Needs Trusts,  are powerful tools designed to provide for individuals with special needs while preserving their eligibility for government assistance programs. What is a...
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Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions

Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions

Jill Santiago – October 9, 2023
Confused about Estate Planning and don't know where to start? Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions that may help:     Do I need an estate plan? Yes, if you have any assets and care about who receives them after your passing, as well as who will oversee their...
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Wills vs. Trusts: Understanding the Differences and Choosing Wisely

Wills vs. Trusts: Understanding the Differences and Choosing Wisely

Jill Santiago – September 15, 2023
When it comes to estate planning, two common tools often come to mind: wills and trusts. But how do you know which you need? Both provide for distribution of your property after your death. However, wills and trusts operate differently and come with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here, we'll compare...
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So You’ve Been Named The Trustee Of A Trust, Now What?

So You’ve Been Named The Trustee Of A Trust, Now What?

Jill Santiago – August 3, 2023
So, you have been named as a trustee of a trust, and this comes with “powers.” What exactly does that entail? In this blog post, I will review the basics of the role of a trustee. What are Trustee Powers? The powers of a trustee of a trust can vary...
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Should I Update My Estate Plan When I Start My Own Business?

Should I Update My Estate Plan When I Start My Own Business?

Jill Santiago – August 3, 2023
Starting a business can have significant implications for your estate plan, as it will likely affect your assets and liabilities, and potentially impact your family's financial security in the future. Here are a few ways that starting a business could affect your estate plan: 1. Reassess your assets: Starting a...
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What Will Happen To My Pet When I Die? Pet Trusts In Rhode Island

What Will Happen To My Pet When I Die? Pet Trusts In Rhode Island

Jill Santiago – August 3, 2023
Today’s financial and estate planning tools give us lots of options when it comes to looking after our human loved ones postmortem, such as life insurance, wills, trusts, holding property jointly, etc. But what about our other loved ones—our pets? Introducing the Pet Trust! What is a pet trust? A...
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5 Ways Estate Planning Is More Than Just A Will

5 Ways Estate Planning Is More Than Just A Will

Jill Santiago – August 2, 2023
Estate planning involves the creation of legal documents that provide for the disposition of your estate when you pass away or become incapacitated. Your estate includes all of your possessions—your real estate, automobiles, bank accounts, investments, life insurance and personal belongings. Having an estate plan gives you control over how...
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The Differences Between A Will And A Trust

The Differences Between A Will And A Trust

Jill Santiago – May 22, 2023
There are many different ways to prepare for your future with your estate planning attorney. There are many different types of documents, plans, and decisions that you have to make when deciding how you want to distribute your estate. When looking at the options and deciding what estate plan is...
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How To Involve Your Family In Your Estate Plan

How To Involve Your Family In Your Estate Plan

Jill Santiago – May 21, 2023
When deciding your estate plan, there are many things you have to think about. Choosing the right plan, executing and organizing the documents, and meeting with your attorney are all part of the job of planning what will happen to your estate. But one thing that is integral to the process...
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