The Law Offices of Kimberly Butler Rainen

The Law Offices of Kimberly Butler Rainen The Law Offices of Kimberly Butler Rainen work with each client to find effective solutions to their estate planning, special needs and elder care challenges.

The Law Offices of Kimberly Butler Rainen provide personalized estate planning, elder law, and probate guidance for families in Andover, MA and the Merrimack Valley—focused on clarity, trust, and peace of mind. This office brings specialized knowledge, experience and practical advice to assist our clients in achieving their goals. Each individual and family has its own unique composition, backgrou

nd, resources and priorities. Let us listen to you and help to protect your family and ensure peace of mind.

08/28/2026

You may have seen videos about a transfer-on-death deed to keep your home out of probate. Here's the truth for Massachusetts: we don't allow them.

Set one up off a video, and you may think your home is protected when it isn't. Your home is usually your biggest asset, and when it's only in your name, it typically goes through probate before your family can inherit or sell it.

The good news: MA families do have real ways to avoid that, built around your situation. Ready to protect your home? Give us a call and let's get you scheduled. (978) 409-1928

Do stepchildren automatically inherit in Massachusetts? It is a question many blended families ask, and the answer surpr...
08/28/2026

Do stepchildren automatically inherit in Massachusetts? It is a question many blended families ask, and the answer surprises people.

Under state law, stepchildren generally do not have automatic inheritance rights unless they were legally adopted or specifically named in your estate plan. That means if you want the stepchildren you love to receive something, you usually need to say so, clearly and in writing.

Learn how to include the people who matter most on the blog.

https://www.butlerrainen.com/do-stepchildren-have-inheritance-rights-in-massachusetts/

Peace of mind does not just happen; you choose it. It is the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your family will n...
08/26/2026

Peace of mind does not just happen; you choose it. It is the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your family will not be left guessing.

That kind of calm is within reach, and it starts with a single decision. Ready to make it? We are here when you are.

📞 (978) 409-1928 🌐 butlerrainen.com

Quick question that trips up a lot of families: Does life insurance go through probate?In most cases, the answer is no, ...
08/25/2026

Quick question that trips up a lot of families: Does life insurance go through probate?

In most cases, the answer is no, as long as you have named a living beneficiary. The money passes directly to the person you chose, outside the probate process.

But there is a catch. If your beneficiary has passed away, or if you named your estate, that money can end up in probate after all. This is exactly why it pays to review your beneficiary designations every few years, especially after a marriage, divorce, or death in the family.

A five-minute check today can save your loved ones a lot of time later.

https://www.butlerrainen.com/does-life-insurance-go-through-probate/

08/24/2026

A payable-on-death designation is one of the simplest tools in estate planning, and most people have never heard of it. It lets you name who receives a bank account when you pass, so it goes straight to them outside of probate.

While you're alive nothing changes: it's your money, and your beneficiary has no access until you're gone. An account with no beneficiary can sit frozen in probate for months. The key is making sure it coordinates with your will or trust.

Ready to get your full plan in place? Let's get you on the calendar to meet with our team. butlerrainen.com

There is a myth that estate planning is only for the wealthy or the elderly. The truth is that it is for anyone who woul...
08/23/2026

There is a myth that estate planning is only for the wealthy or the elderly. The truth is that it is for anyone who would rather make their own decisions than hand them to a court.

If that sounds like you, you are exactly who this is for. Reach out to get started, no matter your age or your bank balance.

📞 (978) 409-1928 🌐 butlerrainen.com

Going into business with someone you trust is exciting. But even the best partnerships benefit from a plan for the unexp...
08/22/2026

Going into business with someone you trust is exciting. But even the best partnerships benefit from a plan for the unexpected. A buy-sell agreement is like a prenup for your business. It spells out what happens to each partner's share if someone leaves, retires, becomes ill, or passes away.

Without one, you could find yourself in business with a partner's heirs, or facing disagreements at the worst possible time. With one, everyone knows the plan in advance, and the business you worked so hard to build stays protected.

It is one of the most caring things partners can do for each other and their families.

https://www.butlerrainen.com/why-every-business-partnership-needs-a-buy-sell-agreement/

Address

23 Central Street
Andover, MA
01810

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+19784091928

Website

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