Procrastinator's Workshop

Congratulations in taking your first step in getting your legal affairs in order. Through us, you can obtain a Simple Will, Durable Power of Attorney with Health Care Provisions, and if you are fortunate enough to be a resident of Massachusetts, you can obtain a Massachusetts Homestead Declaration.

Lets Get Started

Here's how it works: You complete the Procrastinator's Workshop Form and then send to us by clicking the 'submit' button. Don't worry, your information will be treated confidentially. Attorney St. James will prepare your documents and set up a time for you to sign, either at our office in Florence or at your home. Workshops can also be held at your place of work. Feel free to call (413) 586-3341 or email us with any questions!

Now, I know what you're thinking, you probably won't die tomorrow, and these legal documents probably won't be needed for some time. Being the true procrastinator that you are, you might consider putting off getting these very important documents until it's too late. Wouldn't it be nice to be prepared for your peace of mind, as well as your family's? Getting these documents is such a simple process, and is so inexpensive that it really makes sense to order these vital legal documents now. So, stop procrastinating and lets get started.

Wills

The Wills prepared in our workshop are for individuals who have an estate valued under $1,500,000. Your Will designates who will receive your property after your death. Typically, spouses leave their estates to one another and, upon the death of both spouses, their children inherit. All of your children must be named in your Will whether or not you are leaving them anything. You Will can also include specific bequests, which should be described as precisely as possible.

In addition, in your Will you will appoint an executor who is in charge after your death of gathering together your assets, determining your debts and carrying out your wishes in your Will. If you have minor children, you should appoint a guardian and a trustee who will administer property left to your child until they reach the age of majority. To be valid, your Will must be properly witnessed and notarized. Everyone should review their Will every five years.

A Durable Power of Attorney is a document which allows you to appoint someone (called an Attorney-in-fact) to act for you when you are not able to act for yourself and to enforce your wishes in your final illness. The person you choose must be someone you trust absolutely. Typically, it's a spouse or an adult child or close friend.

There are two parts to this document; the first covers business issues and the second covers health care provisions.

If you elect to have healthcare provisions, you are stating that if there is no reasonable expectation of your recovery, you do not wish to be kept alive by artificial means. Your health care provider and your attorney-in-fact will confer to discuss your medical condition and your wishes.

A Declaration of Homestead is a legal document that is recorded in the Registry of Deeds in the county in which your home is located. The Homestead can only be filed on your principal residence. It covers you and your family against creditors who may try to attach and seize your home in the event of a lawsuit, up to the exemption limit of $500,000.

The Declaration of Homestead protects you against all debts except: child support obligations, taxes, your mortgage and debts incurred by you prior to filing the Declaration of Homestead. Homesteads for mobile homes may be recorded at your City/Town Clerk's office.