Estate Planning
Rhode Island & Massachusetts Estate Planning
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or the elderly. It’s for anyone who wants to make thoughtful decisions about what happens if they become ill, incapacitated, or pass away. Without a plan, state laws decide who receives your property and who can make decisions for you—and those default rules may not reflect your wishes.
At Lambros Law Office, we help individuals and families put the right legal documents in place so their plans are clear, their loved ones are protected, and their assets are handled according to their values and intentions.
What’s Included in an Estate Plan
We tailor each estate plan to your family’s needs, goals, and stage of life.
Below are the core components we often recommend:
Wills
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It allows you to name guardians for your minor children and specify how you want your assets distributed. While a will does not avoid probate, it provides clarity and reduces the risk of family conflict. Without one, the court decides who inherits what and who cares for your children.
Trusts
A trust gives you more control over how your assets are managed and distributed. A revocable living trust can help your estate avoid probate, maintain privacy, and ensure continuity if you become incapacitated. Trusts can also be structured to reduce taxes, protect assets from creditors, or support a loved one with special needs. We’ll help you decide if a trust makes sense for your situation.
Powers of Attorney
A durable power of attorney lets you appoint someone to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf if you can’t do so yourself. This document is especially important if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to go to court to manage your affairs. We also recommend reviewing and updating your power of attorney every few years—some banks won’t accept old versions.
Health Care Directives & Authorizations
An advance directive outlines your wishes for medical care, while a health care proxy appoints someone to make health care decisions if you’re unable to. These documents, along with a HIPAA authorization, ensure that someone you trust can speak with doctors and access important medical information when it matters most. In both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, anyone 18 or older can and should complete these forms.
What Makes Our Approach Different
At Lambros Law Office, we don’t see estate planning as a one-time transaction. Since 1993, we’ve built long-term relationships with our clients and their families, offering guidance not just during calm times, but during life’s most difficult moments. Our clients trust us to help them protect what matters and navigate whatever the future brings.
Estate planning can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never worked with a lawyer before. We make the process clear, thoughtful, and centered on your goals.
- Personalized Advice – We take the time to understand your family, assets, and priorities.
- Plain Language Documents – We write in everyday terms, not legalese, so you know exactly what you’re signing.
- Experienced, Local Attorneys – We’re licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and understand the nuances of each state’s laws.
- Long-Term Support – Life changes. We’re here if you need to update your plan or ask questions down the road.
- Transparent Pricing – No hourly billing. You’ll know the cost upfront.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A will isn’t just about money. It lets you name guardians for your children and ensures that your property goes to the people you choose—not just whoever state law designates.
A will goes through probate and only takes effect after death. A trust can take effect while you’re still alive and may help your estate avoid probate entirely. Trusts also allow for more control and privacy.
Without a valid durable power of attorney, your family may need to go through a court process to manage your finances and legal affairs. That takes time and can create stress in an already difficult situation.
Yes. A health care proxy allows you to appoint someone you trust to make those decisions. Without it, medical staff may default to next of kin, which isn’t always ideal or clear.
No. Anyone 18 or older should have basic planning documents in place, especially if they have children, own property, or want someone specific to handle decisions in an emergency. Additionally, our My College Plan service provides families with essential legal documents, clear strategies, and experienced guidance to ensure students are protected and parents are empowered to help when needed.
I decided I wanted to make an impact in people’s lives, so I decided to practice estate planning law. Very important decisions have to be made by individuals during their lifetime to be proactive, to make decisions regarding their long-term care planning, their end of life decisions, where are they gonna leave their assets? How are they gonna leave their assets? So I felt estate planning really gave me the best opportunity to make that important difference in clients’ lives. Estate planning is more than just giving a client a stack of documents. We want to have an ongoing relationship with them so they feel comfortable calling us down the road. So building a strong relationship with our client is really crucial to what we do here. Our goal is to give our clients the peace of mind that they’ve made the right decisions, that they’ve been proactive in their planning.
How It Works
Our estate planning process is simple, thoughtful, and centered around your peace of mind:
Initial Consultation – We’ll talk through your needs and goals.
Custom Plan Creation – We draft all necessary legal documents to reflect your wishes.
Clear Explanations – You’ll know exactly what your plan says and how it works.
Ongoing Availability – We’re here if your family or situation changes and your plan needs an update.
