Category Archives: Real Estate

A Vacation Home for the Next Generation

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Roger Billings

Feeling nostalgic about summer vacations? Me, too. One of the most tangible forms of inheritance is a vacation home. Parents often express the wish that their children not sell the cabin in the woods. This is particularly so when it … Continue reading →






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Not All Deeds Are Created Equal: An Estate Planning Vocabulary Tip

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Roger Billings

  “Great acts are made up of small deeds.” Lao Tzu In the legal world, the word “deed” is confusing. Used by itself, it usually refers to a document transferring title to real estate. There are different types of such … Continue reading →






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Can I Avoid Probate of My House by Holding It in Joint Tenancy?

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Roger Billings

  Joint tenancy might be a convenient estate planning shortcut, but it also brings some undesirable risks. Joint tenancy is a form of ownership of property where two or more people hold title to the property with right of survivorship, … Continue reading →






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Hidden Perils of Refinancing

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Roger Billings

Be informed when refinancing a home in a living trust. The secret is out. Refinancing contains hidden perils for homes in revocable trusts. Recently I received a call from a client who fortunately had the good sense to question what … Continue reading →






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How to Fund a Living Trust, Part 1

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Roger Billings

Funding a living trust refers to transferring assets into the trust. If a trust is a box then funding the trust means putting assets into the box.  For assets that are titled, such as real estate, accounts, stocks and bonds, … Continue reading →






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