Upcoming Seminars and Workshops: Social Security, Estate Planning, and Divorce

The friends of Kelsey & Trask, P.C. are offering some great upcoming seminars and workshops to help members of the public understand their options better when it comes to legal issues. From time to time we will try to let you know about these opportunities. Here are three that we recommend in November:


Social Security and Retirement Planning: Social Security Workshop at Council on Aging

Concord, MA - Senes & Chwalek Financial Advisors is pleased to present Kurt Czarnowski, former New England Regional Communications Director for the Social Security Administration, who will present “Social Security and Retirement Planning” at the Concord Council on Aging on Monday, November 28, 2011 at 6:30 pm.

Social Security's retirement program has been a basic part of American life for more than 76 years. Because we're living longer, healthier lives, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and grandparents did, and achieving a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan for your future.

But, despite the age, the size, and the economic impact of the Social Security system, the myths and misunderstandings about what the program is, as well as what it isn’t, are sizable. Social Security benefits were never intended to be someone’s sole source of income. Instead, they should be seen as the foundation on which to build a secure retirement.

Mr. Czarnowski worked for the SSA from 1976 until his retirement in 2010. As Regional Communications Director, Czarnowski was responsible for coordinating the Social Security Administration’s public affairs/public information activities in the six New England states. In this role, he was a frequent speaker at local and regional events for members of the public, and in 2010, he was the featured presenter on “Social Security: Your Retirement Planning Questions Answered,” the Social Security Administration’s national webinar for financial service professionals. He will provide an overview of the Social Security program and will help attendees better understand the important role it plays in achieving their retirement dreams.

Senes & Chwalek Financial Advisors is located at 57 Main Street, Concord. Renee W. Senes and David Chwalek are registered representatives of Investors Capital Corporation, Member FINRA/SIPC. For more information, please contact them at 978-369-2255.


Peace of Mind Planning for Parents Workshop

Hingham, MA - By popular request, Attorney Danielle G. Van Ess, will be repeating her Peace of Mind Planning for Parents workshop in just a few short weeks on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 7:30-9pm in Hingham.

If you missed the last one, here's your opportunity to attend. If you have friends who might be interested, please share this with them through email, Facebook, or however you reach them!

Registration is required, attendance is limited, and where applicable, both spouses are strongly encouraged to attend together. So line up your babysitters now and write down some questions you want to ask her.

You can learn more details about the workshop and register online here: http://peaceofmindforparents.eventbrite.com.


Divorce in Massachusetts: A 4-Part Weekly Public Education & Discussion Seminar Series

Needham Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Cardiology Conference Room - 148 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA 02492

Nov. 8, 2011 – Dec. 6, 2011; Tuesdays from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

FREE – ($20 per session suggested donation)

Who is the Seminar for?

This 4-Part Seminar Series is intended for people contemplating or going through a separation or divorce. Our members, including attorneys, therapists, mediators, and financial experts will provide you with valuable information about the divorce process in Massachusetts. There is the opportunity for Questions and Answers after each session.

What will you Learn?

Session I – The Divorce Process - Tuesday, November 8, 2011 7-9PM

- Where and how to begin:
- What needs to be filed and where?
- What is Mediation?
- What is Collaborative Law?
- How do I find the right professionals?

Session II – Finances, Assets & Alimony - Tuesday, November 15, 2011 7-9PM

- What is marital property:
- What is an equitable division?
- How do taxes affect the process?
- Will my House be sold?
- What is a QDRO?
- What is alimony?

Session III – Children & Divorce - Tuesday, November 29, 2011 7-9PM

- How much will child support be?
- How long will child support be paid?
- What is a Guardian Ad Litem?
- How do I create a parenting plan?
- What does custody mean in court?
- How do I minimize the trauma on children?

Session IV – After Divorce - Tuesday, December 6, 2011 7-9PM

- How do I get through the Divorce?
- What are some coping strategies?
- Can a divorce judgment be modified?
- How do I enforce the judgment?

REGISTER ONLINE

I Just Got Divorced, How Do I Change My Name?

While there is a separate Petition for Change of Name in the Probate and Family Court, you can also change your name pursuant to a divorce judgment if your name change happens to be due to a divorce. There is a $150 filing fee plus a $15 surcharge for filing of a Petition for Change of Name. Technically there is only a $100 fee for changing your name pursuant to a Divorce Action, but this fee is seldom enforced.

If you are not sure if you want to resume a former name during a divorce you may still change your name later by filing a Petition for Change of Name with the court, starting a new court case specifically for that purpose.

Whether you change your name pursuant to a divorce case or pursuant to a Petition for Change of Name, there are some important logistics that you should be aware to record the name change with various agencies and organizations.

The court will not contact the Social Security Administration on its own. You will need to obtain a certified copy of your divorce decree (discussed further below), fill out and submit Form SS-5, and mail them both to your nearest social security office. The Internal Revenue Service will be notified automatically by the Social Security Administration concerning your name change.

You will need to go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in person to have your license and registration changed.

To obtain a new passport, you will have to fill out a different form depending on the status of your current passport:
• If your passport is valid, you have had it for more than one year, and you were over age 16 when it was issued to you, fill out Form DS-82 and follow the directions for submittal. You will need a certified copy of your divorce decree for this form.
• If your passport is valid, you have had it for less than one year, fill out Form DS-5504 and follow the directions for submittal. You will need a certified copy of your divorce decree for this form.
• If you do not have a valid passport, you will need to fill out Form DS-11. You will need a certified copy of your divorce decree for this form. Additionally, you will need to submit this documentation at an Acceptance Facility or a Passport Agency, and not by mail.

To change your name on the voter registration rolls, you can go to the town hall, or some websites such as www.RockTheVote.com allow for name change submission.  You may also be able to do this at the RMV when you update your license.

You might also want to change your name at the Post Office. You can do this in person, or online.

Finally, regarding actually obtaining a divorce decree, the court does not automatically send you a copy of your official absolute divorce decree (the final decree that becomes available 90 days after the issuance of the Judgment of Divorce Nisi). You can obtain a copy by mail or in person at the court. The fee for a certified copy of the divorce decree is $20, plus $1 for each page except for the first. You can call the court and ask how many pages it will be, and mail in the appropriate payment.