The estate planning process, as well as disputes involving families, estates, trusts, and property transfers, are sensitive, emotional, and complicated, each in their own unique way. The Beyond the Will blog is a source that individuals and fiduciaries can count on for answers to a diverse spectrum of difficult issues, including estate and tax planning, the probate process, deadlines in the court, how to protect a beloved elder from potential financial exploitation or undue influence, disinherited children, trust disputes, and mechanisms to “undo” a will, trust, deed, beneficiary designation, or lifetime gift.
editors
Hether, a Partner in the firm’s Private Client Group, represents individuals and professional fiduciaries in estate and trust litigation matters, guardianship/conservatorships, family matters, and elder financial exploitation. She loves helping her clients develop plans to guide them through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Hether is active in the legal community and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Fiduciary Litigation Committee of the Boston Bar Association and as the Case Comment Editor of the Massachusetts Law Review. As a former Law Clerk for the Honorable Joseph A. Trainor (ret.) of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, she enjoys research, writing, and advocating for her clients.
Tiffany M. Bentley
Partner
Tiffany has spent her entire legal career in the Private Client Group at Burns & Levinson, where her practice focuses on all aspects of Probate and Family Court litigation. Tiffany’s areas of specialty include litigation regarding the validity and interpretation of wills, trusts, and other instruments; as well as accounting and other fiduciary actions. When not advocating for her clients, Tiffany enjoys giving back to the legal community by serving on the Board of Directors of Greater Boston Legal Services, and serving as Court-appointed pro bono counsel through the “Attorneys Representing Children” program to give children a voice in custody matters.
contributors
Noelle Lussier
Associate
Noelle began her career as an intern at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office during her undergraduate education. She interned for Devine, Millimet, & Branch in Manchester, New Hampshire, in the Governmental Affairs Department. In this position, she attended hearings and drafted memoranda regarding current and upcoming legislation in the New Hampshire State Senate and House of Representatives. After completing her undergraduate education, Noelle supported attorneys in the Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group at Verrill Dana LLP. She learned how to prepare probate court forms, facilitate estate administration, and draft estate planning documents. During law school, Noelle worked as a paralegal in the Private Client Group at Ropes & Gray. During this time, she continued to fine-tune her skills with respect to drafting trust documents and estate planning documents.
Patricia Malley
Associate
Patricia’s practice includes work in estate planning and all aspects of the estate administration process. As an associate in the firm’s Private Client Group, Patricia advises clients on trust and estates matters. Patricia is licensed to practice both in Massachusetts and New York and is a member of the Emerging Leaders Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education.