Estate Planning

Information coming soon.

MA, Jun 2005
Bar Number: 662930

VA, Oct 1999
Bar Number: 44125

DC, Dec 2002

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and any of the Courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Virginia Supreme Court and all of the Courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia. District of Columbia Superior Court.

Massachusetts Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Virginia Bar Association and District of Columbia Bar Association.

Although Massachusetts does not require continuing legal education, in the past three years I have received over 100 hours of education focused solely on estate planning, estate administration, and probate issues. I continue to attend legal education seminars on topics related to estate planning, drafting trusts and wills, probate and estate administration. In addition, I seek out professional training to improve my advocacy, counseling and coaching skills.

In addition to the articles published on my website, www.gwglaw.com, I am a contributor to CapeWomenOnline.com. My article, "Indoor Air Pollution: Energy Problems in China's Residential Sector" was published in the Georgetown International Environmental Law Review in 1999. In the field of education, I have co-authored articles and a book about project-based curriculum.

Couples who have moved to their second home on the Cape on either a part-time or full-time basis often continue to work or consult professionally off-Cape. Typically these couples or individuals are retirement age and their estate plan documents were first created over 20 to 30 years ago when they had young children. At this point in time, these individuals often have assets at a level that would expose them to Massachusetts estate tax, so I prepare updated wills and revocable living trusts to take advantage of the available tax exemptions.

In 2010, without a federal estate tax, these same couples are protected because of the language I included to anticipate a year without a federal estate tax. Alternately, I am guiding clients to consider additional planning strategies under the current tax structure.

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Massachusetts, Virginia and District of Columbia.

We educate and counsel individuals and families regarding their estate plans, asset protection concerns, probate questions and issues of trust or estate administration. We facilitate family meetings and family retreats to promote the preservation of legacy, wealth and wisdom from one generation to the next.

After practicing at large national firms and smaller local firms, I established my law firm when a former client called asking to work with me on an individual basis stating that it was my approach as an educator and counselor at law that left her feeling empowered as she struggled to manage a complicated estate matter. My success of my practice is the result of word of mouth recommendations from current or former clients.

After graduating from law school, I practiced in large firms in the D.C. Metro area where I received a sophisticated level of training and experience. After relocating to my hometown of Orleans, Massachusetts, I received training and experience with Massachusetts estate planning laws and practice in small local firms.

Prior to law school, I was an educator, researcher and consultant in alternative educational settings. In particular, I worked at Harvard Graduate School of Education, assisting Howard Gardner, David Perkins and other leading psychologists in the development of curriculum and critical thinking frameworks.

Between my education career and law school, I spent a year out west where I worked on a 25,000 acre cattle ranch in Southeastern Montana.

Dean's Certificate from Georgetown University Law Center in recognition of my work on the law school's strategic planning committee. At Georgetown, I also received the Outstanding Public Interest Award for my volunteer activities.

Gary Guzzeau

(508) 255-1443

By appointment.

No

Yes. For estate planning matters, I charge a flat fee to create or update an existing plan that includes a Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, HIPPA Authorization for Release of Medical Information, Living Will and Recorded Legacy Conversation. The cost for individuals ranges from $800 to $1,200. The cost for married couples ranges from $900 to $1,500. If the plan will include a revocable trust in addition to the documents listed above, then the cost for an individual ranges from $1,200 to $1,800 and the cost for a married couple ranges from $3,000 to $4,000. For most other matters, including coaching regarding family wealth matters, I charge an hourly fee. I offer courtesy discounts to clients who were referred by a former client or the Nolo website.

$240.00

Yes.

I typically request a retainer of fifty percent of the estimated fee.