Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP

10/13/2026

🏆 Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP Voted as the Top Law Firm on the South Shore!

Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP is incredibly proud to announce that we have been voted the Top Law Firm on the South Shore in this year's 2026 South Shore Community’s Choice Awards! 🏆

The good news doesn't stop there! We are thrilled to announce that Attorney, Matthew B. Lane, has also been voted the Top Attorney on the South Shore! 🏆

These honors mean so much because they come directly from the people and community we have had the privilege of serving for generations. We are incredibly grateful to our loyal clients, friends, colleagues, and neighbors throughout the South Shore for your continued trust and support. 🏠

From all of us at Lane, Lane & Kelly, thank you for making this recognition possible. We are proud to continue serving South Shore individuals, families, and businesses with the personal attention and experience they deserve. 👨‍👩‍👧

If you or your family are in need of legal assistance with estate planning, real estate, or probate and estate administration, we would be happy to meet with you for a free consultation. Contact us today to get started! 📞

We would also like to congratulate all of the other finalists and winners in this year's competition! Click here to learn more about the 2026 South Shore Community’s Choice Awards and the full list of winners: https://yourchoiceawards.com/southshore/

10/07/2026

🏠 What happens to homeowners insurance when a property owner dies?

For Massachusetts fiduciaries, maintaining homeowners insurance coverage following the death of a property owner is often overlooked, but is a critical element in protecting an estate and the underlying real estate.

Coverage issues can arise during probate administration, when a home becomes vacant, or when property is held in a trust. 🏛️

What fiduciaries should do following the death of a loved on is entirely dependent on how the property was titled and who was insured under the original policy.

Our latest legal blog explains what Trustees and Personal Representatives should know and the important steps to take after a homeowner’s death.

👉 Read the full legal blog here: https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/what-happens-to-homeowners-insurance-when-a-property-owner-dies?

Discover essential steps for maintaining homeowners insurance after the owner's death in Massachusetts. Protect assets and avoid costly gaps in coverage.

09/29/2026

🍂 Fall is the perfect time to review your estate plan.

Before the year comes to a close, take a moment to make sure your affairs are still in order and your estate plan adequately reflects your family situation, your liability protection, your assets, and your overall wishes.

Have you experienced a major life change? Bought or sold property? Welcomed a new family member? Have assets that have greatly appreciated? Made changes to your beneficiary designations? Bought or sold a business interest?

Even if nothing has changed, a periodic review can help ensure that your plan still reflects your estate planning goals.

At Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP, we regularly help South Shore families review and update their estate plans, including Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Proxies.

🍁 Start the new year with confidence knowing your estate plan is up to date.

Learn more here:
https://llklaw.com/south-shore-massachusetts-estate-planning-attorneys

09/10/2026

🏛️ Think you have estate planning all figured out? The many benefits may surprise you.

We frequently work with clients that either put off estate planning for too long, or have no interest in planning whatsoever. Most of the time, this is simply a result of misinformation or common misconceptions about estate planning in Massachusetts, including things like:

❌ “I don’t need a Will because everything will automatically go to my family.”
❌ “Estate planning is only for wealthy people.”
❌ “A Will means my family will avoid probate.”
❌ “I’m too young to worry about estate planning.”
❌ "I don't need a plan because I don't have any children."

The truth? Estate planning is about much more than simply deciding who gets your assets. The right plan can help protect your legacy, your loved ones, provide for the future, and make difficult situations easier to navigate.

Our latest legal blog breaks down some of the most common estate planning myths in Massachusetts that we come across, and what you really need to know.

👉 Read the full legal blog here: https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/debunking-common-estate-planning-myths-in-massachusetts

📞 Have questions about your own estate plan? Contact Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Discover the truth behind common estate planning myths in Massachusetts and learn why an estate plan is crucial for everyone, regardless of age or wealth.

09/03/2026

Labor Day Office Closure 🇺🇸

In observance of Labor Day, the office of Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP will be closed on Monday, September 7th.

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, September 8th.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! 🇺🇸 ☀

08/20/2026

August is Make a Will Month: Is Your Estate Plan Up to Date? 📝

"Make a Will Month" is a great reminder to make sure your your loved ones and your assets are adequately protected.

Despite its importance, recent surveys estimate that only between 25%-30% of Americans have a Will.

A Last Will and Testament is one of the most important documents in an estate plan. It allows you to:

✅ Choose who will inherit your assets
✅ Name a Personal Representative to handle your estate
✅ Name guardians for minor children
✅ Outline your burial/cremation instructions
✅ Provide instructions for how your property should be distributed

However, creating a Will is not a “set it and forget it” decision. As life changes, your estate plan should change with it.

Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary or fiduciary, appreciation of your assets, purchasing a home, or simply the passage of time can all be reasons to revisit your plan. We recommend periodically reviewing your estate plan with your attorney to make sure it continues to reflect your current wishes.

It's also important to note that a Will alone does not avoid probate court. Depending on your goals and circumstances, a Trust and other estate planning strategies may help your family avoid probate and provide additional protection and flexibility.

📚 Learn More from our LLK legal blog:

👉 What You Need to Know About Creating a Will or Trust in Massachusetts:
https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-creating-a-will-or-trust-in-massachusetts

👉 Top Mistakes People Make When Creating a Will:
https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/top-mistakes-people-make-when-creating-a-will-and-how-to-avoid-them

👉 How to Avoid Probate Pitfalls in Massachusetts:
https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/how-to-avoid-probate-pitfalls-in-massachusetts

👉 Why You Should Have a Trust in Massachusetts:
https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/why-you-need-a-trust-in-massachusetts-probate-avoidance-estate-tax-planning-and-asset-protection

👉 When to Update Your Estate Plan Documents & Why It's Important:
https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/when-to-update-your-estate-plan-documents-why-its-important

Don’t wait for a major life event to think about your estate plan. Whether you are new to estate planning, or it has been several years since you last reviewed your plan, August is the perfect time to take a fresh look.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation with Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP to discuss your estate planning goals and determine whether your current plan still works for you and your family.

08/13/2026

How do you Fund a Trust in Massachusetts? 🏡📑

Incorporating a Trust into your estate plan is a very common strategy due to its many advantages. What many people don't understand, however, is that creating a Trust is just the beginning. A Trust can only control the assets that you place into the trust, better known as "funding" your Trust. 💰

What does “funding” a Trust actually mean? Which assets should be transferred into the trust. Which assets should not? Are there important tax considerations?

Our latest legal blog breaks down the process of funding a Trust in Massachusetts, including:

🔹 What it means to fund a Trust
🔹 How to transfer real estate into a Trust
🔹 How bank and investment accounts are handled
🔹 What happens with personal property and other assets
🔹 Common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid
🔹 Why proper Trust funding is essential to accomplishing your estate planning goals
🔹 Important tax considerations when funding your Trust

👉 Read the complete guide here: https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/how-to-fund-a-trust-in-massachusetts-a-complete-guide

Learn how to properly fund a revocable Trust in Massachusetts. Discover which assets belong in a Trust, how to transfer them, and how to avoid probate.

08/12/2026

The South Shore Community Choice Awards Voting Period is Now Open! We are thrilled to share that our firm, Lane, Lane & Kelly, LLP and Attorney Matthew B. Lane have both been nominated as the best on the South Shore! 👏

Thank you to all of those who supported us during the nomination period, but we still need your help! Vote for us every day until August 24!

Fund us under the "Services" Category and vote for us as your favorite Law Firm! And vote for Matthew in the "Services - People" Category as your favorite Attorney!✅

Cast your vote here! https://patriotledger.gannettcontests.com/2026-South-Shore-Communitys-Choice-Awards/gallery?group=555748

07/22/2026

🔒 Is your LLC structured in a way that adequately protects your assets?

Many Massachusetts business owners assume that simply forming an LLC provides complete protection. In reality, how your LLC is structured can make a significant difference, especially when it comes to charging order protection and safeguarding your ownership interest.

Our latest legal blog explains:

✅ The best way to strucutre LLC membership interests

✅ How charging orders work in Massachusetts

✅ Why your LLC needs an Operating Agreement

✅ Steps business owners can take to better protect themselves

✅ How to incorporate your LLC interests into your estate plan

Whether you own a family business, investment property, or hold other assets in an LLC, understanding these concepts can help you avoid costly mistakes.

📖 Read the full legal blog here: https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/massachusetts-llc-membership-structure-charging-order-protection

Have questions about protecting your business, investment property, or reinforcing your estate plan? The attorneys at Lane, Lane & Kelly are here to help.

Explore the impact of creating a single-member vs. multi-member LLC in Massachusetts for charging order protection and estate planning benefits.

07/08/2026

⏳ Did you know there is a deadline to open probate in Massachusetts?

Many families are surprised to learn that if more than three years have passed since a loved one's death, the traditional probate process is no longer available. Fortunately, that doesn't always mean you're out of options.

A Late and Limited Probate may still allow you to confirm ownership of inherited property, clear title to real estate, or handle other important legal matters, even years after a loved one's death.

If you've recently discovered a probate issue involving a loved one's estate, it's important to understand your rights and the limitations of this unique probate procedure.

📖 Learn when Late and Limited Probate applies, what it can (and cannot) accomplish, and why acting sooner rather than later is important in our latest legal blog:

👉 https://llklaw.com/legal-blog/understanding-late-and-limited-probate-in-massachusetts

Have questions about probate or estate administration? Our experienced Massachusetts probate attorneys are here to help.

Learn about Late and Limited Probate in Massachusetts, a process for managing estates years after death when assets are discovered.