slnlaw
  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content >
      • Employment Law Services Guide
      • Employment Policies and Contracts Guide
      • Non Compete Agreement Guide
      • Employment Termination Guide
      • Employment Discrimination and Harassment Guide
      • Disability and Illness in Employment Guide
      • Wage and Hour Law Guide
      • Independent Contractor Law Guide
      • Employment Litigation Guide
      • Severance Agreement Guide
      • Employer Resource Guide
    • Advice for Employers >
      • Dealing With a Problem Employee >
        • Fair Treatment as Risk Management
        • Prompt Action With Problem Employees
        • Wage and Hour Compliance in Employee Terminations
      • Employer's Guide to Discrimination Harassment and Retaliation >
        • Workplace Discrimination Employer Guide
        • Responding to a Sexual Harassment Complaint
        • Navigating an Employment Discrimination Lawsuit
        • Employer's Guide to Retaliation Laws
        • Equal Pay Act for Employers
      • Employer's Guide to Employee Illness and Family Leave >
        • Paid Family Leave and Your Small Business
        • Employer's Guide to Parental Leave Laws
        • Employer's Guide to the Earned Sick Time Law
        • Employer's Guide to Reasonable Accommodations
      • Employer's Wage and Hour and Classification Guide >
        • Employer's Guide to Wage and Hour Laws
        • Employer's Guide to Wage Deductions
        • Overtime Law for Employers >
          • Calculating Overtime Pay
        • Employee Complaints About Pay
        • Navigating a Wage and Hour Lawsuit
        • Hiring Independent Contractors in Massachusetts
      • Employer's Guide to Employment Contracts and Handbooks >
        • Employee Non Competes >
          • Non Compete for Independent Contractors
        • Employee Handbook >
          • Employee Handbook Basics
          • Personnel file law
          • Employer's Guide to Termination Provisions
      • Employer's Termination Guide >
        • Overview of Employment Termination Laws
        • Should You Offer Severance Pay
        • Final Paycheck Rules
        • Termination Best Practices
      • Employment Law Case Studies >
        • Employee Non Solicit Case Study
        • Employment Termination Case Study
        • Wage and Hour and Travel Time Case Study
        • Multistate Wage and Hour Compliance Case Study
        • Termination and Unemployment Case Study
      • Employment Defense Case Studies >
        • MCAD Defense Case Study
        • Race Discrimination Defense Case Study
        • Wage Act Defense Vacation Pay Case Study
        • Defense of Wage Act Claim Case Study
    • Advice for Employees >
      • Overview of Discrimination Harassment and Retaliation >
        • Discrimination in the Workplace >
          • Gender Discrimination >
            • Gender Discrimination Case Studies
          • Age Discrimination >
            • Age Discrimination Case Studies
          • LGBTQ Discrimination
          • National Origin Discrimination
          • Race Discrimination
          • Disability Discrimination >
            • Reasonable Accommodations for Disability
            • Disability Discrimination FAQs
            • Disability Discrimination Case Studies
        • Unlawful Retaliation >
          • Reporting Discrimination Retaliation Guide
          • Sexual Harassment Retaliation Guide
          • PFMLA Retaliation Guide
          • Earned Sick Time Retaliation Guide
          • Wage and Hour Retaliation Guide
          • Workers Compensation Retaliation Guide
          • Public Employee Whistleblower Retaliation Guide
          • Health Care Worker Whistleblower Retaliation Guide
          • Retaliation Case Studies
        • Sexual Harassment at Work >
          • Sexual Harassment Resources
          • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
          • Reporting Sexual Harassment to Your Employer
          • Constructive Discharge
          • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
          • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
          • Sexual Harassment Case Studies
        • Equal Pay Act
      • Employment Transitions: Termination and Resignation >
        • Employment Termination >
          • Performance Improvement Plan
          • Wrongful Termination
          • What to Do if You Are Fired
          • How to Bring a Discrimination or Harassment Lawsuit
          • Should I Accept a Severance?
        • Severance Pay >
          • Evaluating Severance Agreement
          • What is Reasonable Severance
          • Negotiating Severance
          • Severance Pay and Unemployment in Massachusetts
          • How an Attorney Can Help With Severance
          • Severance Agreement Checklist
          • Rejecting a Severance Agreement
        • How to Leave a Job >
          • Voluntary Resignation and Unemployment
          • Workplace Harassment Quit or Resign
          • Effect of Resignation on Legal Rights
          • Quitting a Job Without Notice
      • Non Competes and Other Employment Contracts >
        • Non Compete Agreements >
          • Are non competes enforceable
          • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
          • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
          • Understanding the Scope of Your Non-Compete Agreement
          • Evaluating reasonabless of geographic restrictions in a non compete
          • Evaluating reasonabless of time restrictions in a non compete
          • Non Compete Case Studies
          • Can I Avoid My Non Compete
        • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts >
          • Restrictive Covenants
          • Employer Repayment Demands
          • Promissory Estoppel
          • Employment Termination Provisions
      • Wage and Hour and Employee Classification >
        • Wage and Hour Laws >
          • Massachusetts Minimum Wage
          • What Are Your Wage and Hour Rights
        • Massachusetts Wage Act >
          • Wage Deductions
          • Late Payment of Wages
          • Paid Time Off
          • Wage Act Case Studies
        • Overtime Law >
          • Overtime Exemptions
          • Employee Travel Time
          • Federal or State Overtime Law
          • Overtime Law Case Studies
        • Payment of Commissions >
          • Commission or Bonus Under the Law
          • Commission Payments and Employment Termination
          • Minimum Wage Considerations for Commission Based Employees
          • Commission Pay and Wage Deductions
          • Monthly or Quarterly Payment of Commissions
          • Commission Pay Case Studies >
            • Retroactive Commission Cuts
            • Commissions Delayed on Termination Case Study
            • Unjust Commissions Deductions Case Study
            • Commissions and Customer Refunds
        • Independent Contractor Law >
          • Independent Contractor Test
          • Working As Independent Contractor
          • Independent Contractor Case Studies
          • Independent Contractor Roadmap
      • Employee Illness and Family Leave >
        • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave >
          • Parental Leave
        • Employee Illness and Disability
        • Earned Sick Time Law
    • Unemployment in Massachusetts >
      • Unemployment Overpayment
      • Pandemic Unemployment
      • Unemployment Case Studies
      • Working With Our Unemployment Team >
        • Unemployment Lawyers
        • Unemployment New Client Intake and Consultation Employment
        • Unemployment Assessment
        • Unemployment Representation
    • Working With Our Employment Law Team >
      • Employment Lawyers
      • Employment Case Assessment
      • Employer Case Assessment and Strategy
      • New Client Intake and Consultation Employment
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content >
      • Estate Planning Guide Overview
      • Essential Estate Planning Documents Guide
      • Asset Protection Guide
      • Guide to How to Make a Will
      • Estate Planning in Unique Circumstances Guide
      • Guide to Death of a Loved One
    • Addressing the Threats to Your Legacy >
      • What is a Legacy >
        • Asset Protection Trusts
        • Children with Special Needs
      • Massachusetts Estate Tax
      • The Challenge of Long Term Care Planning >
        • Summary of Long Term Care Issues >
          • Understanding Medicaid Trusts
          • Assisted Living FAQs
          • Life Estates in Massachusetts
          • Assisted Living Planning Guide
      • Probate Time and Expense
      • Inertia and Shortcuts
    • Estate Planning Why When and How >
      • Who Needs an Estate Plan
      • When Do You Need an Estate Plan >
        • Estate Planning Guide for Every Life Stage >
          • Estate Planning for Young Adults
          • Estate Planning for Young Families
          • Estate Planning in MIddle Age
          • Estate Planning in Retirement Age
        • Guide to Specific Estate Planning Circumstances >
          • Estate Planning for Blended Families
          • Estate Planning for a Non Citizen Spouse
          • Estate Planning and Divorce
          • Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Couples
          • Estate Planning for Small Business Owners
          • Estate Planning for Digital Assets
        • When to Update Your Estate Plan
      • Getting Started With Your Estate Plan >
        • Mental Capacity to Make a Will
        • How to Make an Estate Plan
        • Estate Planning Resources
      • Busting Estate Planning Myths
    • End of Life and Loss >
      • End of Life Planning Essentials >
        • End of Life Planning Checklist
        • Durable Power of Attorney End of Life Planning
        • Understanding the Health Care Proxy
        • MOLST Form
      • Death of a Loved One Guide >
        • Death of a Loved One Checklist
        • Death of a Loved One Legal Steps
        • Funeral Planning and Preplanning
        • Non Probate Assets >
          • Beneficiary Designations
        • Probate Process
    • Wills Trusts and Other Essential Estate Planning Documents >
      • Last Will and Testament
      • What is a Trust >
        • Revocable trust
        • Irrevocable trust
        • Irrevocable vs revocable trust
      • Massachusetts Health Care Proxy
      • Durable Power of Attorney
      • Massachusetts Pet Trust
      • Beyond the Will: Enhancing Your Estate Plan >
        • Is Your Will Enough
        • Surviving Spouse's Share
        • Disinheriting Children Massachusetts
    • Estate Planning Case Studies >
      • Couples Estate Planning Case Study
      • Proactive Estate Planning Case Study
      • Estate Tax Planning Case Study
      • Estate Planning Case Study: Asset Protection
      • Estate Planning Case Study: Pets
      • Estate Planning Case Study Guardians
      • Estate Planning Case Study Codicil
      • Estate Planning Case Study Unique Wishes
      • Estate Planning Case Study Family Financial Future
      • Estate Planning Case Study Business Succession
      • Estate Planning Case Study Blended Family
      • Estate Planning Case Study Medicaid Trust
      • Estate Planning Case Study Non Traditional Bequests
      • Estate Planning Case Study Predeceased Child
      • Estate Planning Case Study Changed Circumstances
      • Estate Planning Case Study Estate Tax Planning for Married Couple
      • Estate Planning Case Study Safeguarding Assets
    • Working With Our Estate Planning Team >
      • Estate Planning Lawyers
      • New Client Intake Estate Planning
      • Initial Estate Planning Assessment
      • Creating Your Estate Plan
      • Estate Planning Process Overview
  • Business Law
    • Guide to Business Law Content >
      • Small Business Law Resource Center
      • Start Up Legal Guide
      • Employment Issues for Business Owners
      • Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution Guide
    • Small Business Law Issues >
      • How To Use a Business Lawyer
      • How to Incorporate
      • Corporate Transparency Act
      • Business Contract Basics
      • Trademark Basics
      • Sale of Business
      • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Business Law Case Studies >
      • Business Buyout Case Study
      • Franchise Decision Case Study
      • Workforce Expansion Case Study
      • Business Law Advice Case Study
      • Expanding Equity Case Study
      • Protecting the Family Business Case Study
    • Guide to Small Business Disputes >
      • Common Small Business Disputes >
        • Breach of Contract Disputes
        • Common Employment Disputes
        • Business Torts
        • Shareholder Disputes
        • Shareholder Freeze Out
      • Business Dispute Resolution Strategies >
        • Civil Suit Defense
        • What is Arbitration >
          • Arbitration Agreement
        • What is Mediation >
          • Mediation Provision
      • Business Dispute Case Studies >
        • Real Property Dispute Case Study
        • Contract Dispute Case Study
        • Predatory Services
        • Family Business Dispute
        • Credit Card Processing Dispute
        • Non Compete Blocking Entrepreneurs
        • Insurance Agent Non Compete
        • Veterinary Clinic Ownership Dispute
        • Non Solicitation Case Study
    • Working With Our Business Law Team >
      • slnlaw Business Lawyers
      • New Business Client Intake and Consultation
      • Business Case Assessment and Strategy
      • Holistic Business Law Services
  • Civil Litigation Guide
    • Civil Litigation Overview
    • Statute of Limitations
    • Civil Lawsuit Discovery
    • What to Expect as a Plaintiff
    • What to Expect as a Defendant
    • Civil Lawsuit Settlement
    • Working With Our Litigation Team >
      • Litigation Attorneys
      • New Litigation Client Intake and Consultation
      • Civil Litigation Initial Engagement
      • Litigation Success Principles
  • About
    • How Slnlaw Can Help
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway >
      • Jenna Ordway Business Law Matters
      • Jenna Ordway Employment Law Cases
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Sharleen Tinnin
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog

What Will Happen to Your Digital Assets When You Pass Away?

7/1/2018

4 Comments

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR DIGITAL ASSETS WHEN YOU PASS AWAY?

Protecting your digital footprint in your estate plan
Much attention is given to how to handle your personal property after death, in the physical world. What about the digital footprint you have left behind? From cryptocurrency to domain names to online stores to your Twitter feed – do you have a plan in place for each of these digital assets and who will assume ownership or responsibility for termination?

While laws are continually proposed to help manage and make digital estate planning more viable and easier for those left behind, it is still on you to ensure your beneficiaries are aware and prepared to take charge of your digital assets in the event of your death.

Why Should You Care?

For the most part, these digital assets don't have a monetary value (though they could, especially if they are assets you have amassed as part of a business venture).  But they do represent a great deal of information about you and your family that you may not want lost, and may not want still circulating freely in the world after you are gone.  

Then there is the ever-present nature and vulnerability of social media.  We all know someone whose facebook account has been hacked, and whose hundreds of facebook friends have received new "friend" requests allegedly from them.  You may not want to leave your account out there with nobody monitoring it, so that your friends and loved ones are not subject to the macabre experience of receiving fake friend requests from you after you are gone.

Take Inventory of Your Digital Assets

The first step: take stock of the digital assets in your name. What is considered a digital asset may surprise you.

Not only does this term include all email and social media accounts, but it could also include your Amazon, Netflix, Hulu or other audiobook account. It includes cloud storage where your photos, videos and texts are backed up. It includes all digital music files you have purchased. It includes e-commerce websites and domain names you own.

Work on compiling an in-depth inventory of every site where you have an account – it’s critical to make sure each account is handled appropriately in the event of your death to prevent identity theft and future challenges for your beneficiaries.

Appoint a Digital Trustee

The individual you would like to handle your digital assets may very well differ from who you’d like to inherit your vehicle or home, and that’s okay. Perhaps you would like to have a trusted friend manage the deletion of social media profiles and email accounts. There may also be different people you want to put in charge of different accounts or assets.  For example, if you have a body of creative work stored in the cloud you may want someone who understands your work to be the one who decides what gets preserved and what gets deleted, while it may be a completely different person who is entrusted with making decisions about your social media accounts.  If this is what you prefer, it must be clearly stated in your will.

Set Up Access

Under no circumstances should you list username and password information in your will, since after your death this document will become public. There are multiple ways to store online account login information. Something as basic as a password-protected Excel sheet (with the sheet’s password communicated through your lawyer), or something as secure as a digital lockbox could be a good solution.  You can also use old fashioned pen and paper, and while the information should not be contained within your will, that piece of paper can be stored in the same place as your will and other estate planning documents so that it is easy for your family to find.

Provide Instructions for Each Asset

After you’ve made a comprehensive list of all digital assets, decide how you would like each account handled.

Any online payment accounts that contain a balance of cash, credits or points may be transferable, but it depends on each platform’s specific user agreement. Some organizations may cancel all benefits upon death, while others operate more like bank accounts, with beneficiaries able to transfer assets to their name.

For social media, the policy varies from site to site. Facebook allows you to input a legacy contact before death and upon your passing, this individual is able to moderate your memorialized profile. They cannot receive or respond to messages. Alternatively, you could choose to have your account completely deactivated upon death.

LinkedIn requires proof of death. Pinterest requires a copy of the death certificate and proof of the petitioner’s relationship with the deceased. Google requires the name of legal counsel as well as full documentation of the individual’s death.

Make sure you are clear in your instructions on who you want to handle these processes, and what you’d like done. While some photos you have stored in the cloud you may want to pass to a loved one, you may rather have personal documents erased.

The Bottom Line

In today’s digital world, estate planning doesn’t only encompass your bank accounts. You need to consider how to handle the digital assets that are your personal property and incorporate a thoughtful approach on dealing with each into your larger estate plan. The team at slnlaw is happy to answer your questions and share effective strategies you may find useful – contact us to set up your free consultation.

About slnlaw

We are a Massachusetts law firm focused on business law, employment law, and estate planning. Our team includes attorneys with large law firm experience, public service experience, experience working with small businesses on a wide variety of matters, an attorney with an advanced degree (LLM), and a former clerk to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.  Attorney and founder Emily Smith-Lee has been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list every year since 2013, and was recently named a 2018 Lawyer of the Year by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.  Our lead estate planning attorney Jenna Ordway has been recognized as a top estate planning attorney, and has published a book about estate planning in Massachusetts.
 
What We Do
  • Employment Law: We advise both businesses and individuals about Massachusetts and federal employment laws, and represent them as needed in litigation if a lawsuit cannot be avoided. 
  • Business Law: In addition to providing advice on employment matters and defense of employee lawsuits, we can help you set up your new business, review your agreements with vendors and customers, resolve or litigate business disputes, and much more. 
  • Estate Planning: We provide customized plans for individuals and families to help minimize your estate tax liability, protect and preserve your assets, and ensure that the people in your life are taken care of the way that you want.  We can help you with wills and trusts, planning for a child with special needs, planning for the cost of long term care, and more.
​We also have an extensive network of other professionals, some lawyers in other practice areas and others who are non-lawyer professionals who offer services that our clients frequently need.  If the problem you need solved is not one that we handle, we are happy to provide a referral to someone we know you can trust.
Testimonials

"Emily, a chief partner, and the two other lawyers who worked on my case were extremely competent and approachable. They were responsive to inquiries and they thoughtfully explained, as needed, complex legal terms. I was very well represented at each stage of a protracted legal case against a major national firm."  Brian R

"It was a pleasure working with Emily Smith-Lee on a business matter. She willingly shares her expertise and always listens to her clients' concerns. Emily's caring demeanor puts people at ease immediately. The outcome of my experience was quite favorable. I would highly recommend them."  Camille B.

​"Emily is an incredible resource of knowledge on employment law. She helped guide us on how to structure our employee classifications and made adjustments to our consulting agreements so our business is better protected and positioned. She's both law-savvy and business minded - great asset to have when launching/growing a business."  Diana B.

"SLN represented me in a complicated employment-related dispute. What could have been a prolonged nightmare for me was handled swiftly and skillfully, and with fairness and dignity."  Smita N.

​"Previously, I spoke with a couple other lawyers and I did not feel comfortable with their approach prior to calling Emily. Jenna did an excellent job in assessing what I wanted to accomplish and completed my will, trust and other documents in a very short time. I am so happy I made the right choice in choosing slnlaw as my estate team."  Evelyn W.

"Long overdue public words of gratitude for Emily and her associates' work on my behalf.  They were so very respectful of me during an emotionally and financially ridden time- and that mattered more than the positive result.  May all clients have such advocates on their sides!"  Donna B.

"Emily helped our LLC in crafting an international sales agency agreement. She took the time to listen and learn about our business as well as ask about our short and long terms goals. She has a deep understanding of business contract law and was able to explain things to us clearly without being overly legalese. We would recommend SLN Law without hesitation!" Michael M.

Read more on our reviews page ​​
4 Comments
Digital Estate link
8/2/2022 02:04:26 am

Thank you for sharing this amazing post. It is very helpful for my digital estate company to improve the business.

Reply
Braden Bills link
12/16/2022 09:08:37 am

I want to make sure that I get my estate put together properly. It makes sense that getting my estate planned correctly would be beneficial. I'll be sure to work with a professional so that I can consider my digital assets.

Reply
Tex Hooper link
3/23/2023 09:36:57 pm

I appreciate what you said about getting advice on employment lawsuits. My work is looking for some legal help of new recruits. We'll have to hire someone with good online reviews.

Reply
estate plan lawyer link
4/10/2023 05:48:50 am

I love this post. The thing I like in your posts is that everything is in a detailed and learning manner.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Call (781) 784-2322

    Want to Know More?

    Our Solutions Roadmap is a quick and easy way to tell us about your situation and receive initial feedback from a member of our team.
    Tell Us What's On Your Mind

Sharon MA

46 South Main Street
​Sharon MA 02067

(781) 784-2322
Serving Eastern and Central Massachusetts
Greater Boston Referral Resources
slnlaw solutions
Refer a Friend
slnlaw publications and interviews
​slnlaw privacy policy
Chester MA
26B Main Street
Chester MA 01011
(413) 667-2322
Serving Western Massachusetts
Western MA Referral Resources

Copyright 2022, slnlaw
  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content >
      • Employment Law Services Guide
      • Employment Policies and Contracts Guide
      • Non Compete Agreement Guide
      • Employment Termination Guide
      • Employment Discrimination and Harassment Guide
      • Disability and Illness in Employment Guide
      • Wage and Hour Law Guide
      • Independent Contractor Law Guide
      • Employment Litigation Guide
      • Severance Agreement Guide
      • Employer Resource Guide
    • Advice for Employers >
      • Dealing With a Problem Employee >
        • Fair Treatment as Risk Management
        • Prompt Action With Problem Employees
        • Wage and Hour Compliance in Employee Terminations
      • Employer's Guide to Discrimination Harassment and Retaliation >
        • Workplace Discrimination Employer Guide
        • Responding to a Sexual Harassment Complaint
        • Navigating an Employment Discrimination Lawsuit
        • Employer's Guide to Retaliation Laws
        • Equal Pay Act for Employers
      • Employer's Guide to Employee Illness and Family Leave >
        • Paid Family Leave and Your Small Business
        • Employer's Guide to Parental Leave Laws
        • Employer's Guide to the Earned Sick Time Law
        • Employer's Guide to Reasonable Accommodations
      • Employer's Wage and Hour and Classification Guide >
        • Employer's Guide to Wage and Hour Laws
        • Employer's Guide to Wage Deductions
        • Overtime Law for Employers >
          • Calculating Overtime Pay
        • Employee Complaints About Pay
        • Navigating a Wage and Hour Lawsuit
        • Hiring Independent Contractors in Massachusetts
      • Employer's Guide to Employment Contracts and Handbooks >
        • Employee Non Competes >
          • Non Compete for Independent Contractors
        • Employee Handbook >
          • Employee Handbook Basics
          • Personnel file law
          • Employer's Guide to Termination Provisions
      • Employer's Termination Guide >
        • Overview of Employment Termination Laws
        • Should You Offer Severance Pay
        • Final Paycheck Rules
        • Termination Best Practices
      • Employment Law Case Studies >
        • Employee Non Solicit Case Study
        • Employment Termination Case Study
        • Wage and Hour and Travel Time Case Study
        • Multistate Wage and Hour Compliance Case Study
        • Termination and Unemployment Case Study
      • Employment Defense Case Studies >
        • MCAD Defense Case Study
        • Race Discrimination Defense Case Study
        • Wage Act Defense Vacation Pay Case Study
        • Defense of Wage Act Claim Case Study
    • Advice for Employees >
      • Overview of Discrimination Harassment and Retaliation >
        • Discrimination in the Workplace >
          • Gender Discrimination >
            • Gender Discrimination Case Studies
          • Age Discrimination >
            • Age Discrimination Case Studies
          • LGBTQ Discrimination
          • National Origin Discrimination
          • Race Discrimination
          • Disability Discrimination >
            • Reasonable Accommodations for Disability
            • Disability Discrimination FAQs
            • Disability Discrimination Case Studies
        • Unlawful Retaliation >
          • Reporting Discrimination Retaliation Guide
          • Sexual Harassment Retaliation Guide
          • PFMLA Retaliation Guide
          • Earned Sick Time Retaliation Guide
          • Wage and Hour Retaliation Guide
          • Workers Compensation Retaliation Guide
          • Public Employee Whistleblower Retaliation Guide
          • Health Care Worker Whistleblower Retaliation Guide
          • Retaliation Case Studies
        • Sexual Harassment at Work >
          • Sexual Harassment Resources
          • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
          • Reporting Sexual Harassment to Your Employer
          • Constructive Discharge
          • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
          • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
          • Sexual Harassment Case Studies
        • Equal Pay Act
      • Employment Transitions: Termination and Resignation >
        • Employment Termination >
          • Performance Improvement Plan
          • Wrongful Termination
          • What to Do if You Are Fired
          • How to Bring a Discrimination or Harassment Lawsuit
          • Should I Accept a Severance?
        • Severance Pay >
          • Evaluating Severance Agreement
          • What is Reasonable Severance
          • Negotiating Severance
          • Severance Pay and Unemployment in Massachusetts
          • How an Attorney Can Help With Severance
          • Severance Agreement Checklist
          • Rejecting a Severance Agreement
        • How to Leave a Job >
          • Voluntary Resignation and Unemployment
          • Workplace Harassment Quit or Resign
          • Effect of Resignation on Legal Rights
          • Quitting a Job Without Notice
      • Non Competes and Other Employment Contracts >
        • Non Compete Agreements >
          • Are non competes enforceable
          • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
          • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
          • Understanding the Scope of Your Non-Compete Agreement
          • Evaluating reasonabless of geographic restrictions in a non compete
          • Evaluating reasonabless of time restrictions in a non compete
          • Non Compete Case Studies
          • Can I Avoid My Non Compete
        • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts >
          • Restrictive Covenants
          • Employer Repayment Demands
          • Promissory Estoppel
          • Employment Termination Provisions
      • Wage and Hour and Employee Classification >
        • Wage and Hour Laws >
          • Massachusetts Minimum Wage
          • What Are Your Wage and Hour Rights
        • Massachusetts Wage Act >
          • Wage Deductions
          • Late Payment of Wages
          • Paid Time Off
          • Wage Act Case Studies
        • Overtime Law >
          • Overtime Exemptions
          • Employee Travel Time
          • Federal or State Overtime Law
          • Overtime Law Case Studies
        • Payment of Commissions >
          • Commission or Bonus Under the Law
          • Commission Payments and Employment Termination
          • Minimum Wage Considerations for Commission Based Employees
          • Commission Pay and Wage Deductions
          • Monthly or Quarterly Payment of Commissions
          • Commission Pay Case Studies >
            • Retroactive Commission Cuts
            • Commissions Delayed on Termination Case Study
            • Unjust Commissions Deductions Case Study
            • Commissions and Customer Refunds
        • Independent Contractor Law >
          • Independent Contractor Test
          • Working As Independent Contractor
          • Independent Contractor Case Studies
          • Independent Contractor Roadmap
      • Employee Illness and Family Leave >
        • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave >
          • Parental Leave
        • Employee Illness and Disability
        • Earned Sick Time Law
    • Unemployment in Massachusetts >
      • Unemployment Overpayment
      • Pandemic Unemployment
      • Unemployment Case Studies
      • Working With Our Unemployment Team >
        • Unemployment Lawyers
        • Unemployment New Client Intake and Consultation Employment
        • Unemployment Assessment
        • Unemployment Representation
    • Working With Our Employment Law Team >
      • Employment Lawyers
      • Employment Case Assessment
      • Employer Case Assessment and Strategy
      • New Client Intake and Consultation Employment
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content >
      • Estate Planning Guide Overview
      • Essential Estate Planning Documents Guide
      • Asset Protection Guide
      • Guide to How to Make a Will
      • Estate Planning in Unique Circumstances Guide
      • Guide to Death of a Loved One
    • Addressing the Threats to Your Legacy >
      • What is a Legacy >
        • Asset Protection Trusts
        • Children with Special Needs
      • Massachusetts Estate Tax
      • The Challenge of Long Term Care Planning >
        • Summary of Long Term Care Issues >
          • Understanding Medicaid Trusts
          • Assisted Living FAQs
          • Life Estates in Massachusetts
          • Assisted Living Planning Guide
      • Probate Time and Expense
      • Inertia and Shortcuts
    • Estate Planning Why When and How >
      • Who Needs an Estate Plan
      • When Do You Need an Estate Plan >
        • Estate Planning Guide for Every Life Stage >
          • Estate Planning for Young Adults
          • Estate Planning for Young Families
          • Estate Planning in MIddle Age
          • Estate Planning in Retirement Age
        • Guide to Specific Estate Planning Circumstances >
          • Estate Planning for Blended Families
          • Estate Planning for a Non Citizen Spouse
          • Estate Planning and Divorce
          • Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Couples
          • Estate Planning for Small Business Owners
          • Estate Planning for Digital Assets
        • When to Update Your Estate Plan
      • Getting Started With Your Estate Plan >
        • Mental Capacity to Make a Will
        • How to Make an Estate Plan
        • Estate Planning Resources
      • Busting Estate Planning Myths
    • End of Life and Loss >
      • End of Life Planning Essentials >
        • End of Life Planning Checklist
        • Durable Power of Attorney End of Life Planning
        • Understanding the Health Care Proxy
        • MOLST Form
      • Death of a Loved One Guide >
        • Death of a Loved One Checklist
        • Death of a Loved One Legal Steps
        • Funeral Planning and Preplanning
        • Non Probate Assets >
          • Beneficiary Designations
        • Probate Process
    • Wills Trusts and Other Essential Estate Planning Documents >
      • Last Will and Testament
      • What is a Trust >
        • Revocable trust
        • Irrevocable trust
        • Irrevocable vs revocable trust
      • Massachusetts Health Care Proxy
      • Durable Power of Attorney
      • Massachusetts Pet Trust
      • Beyond the Will: Enhancing Your Estate Plan >
        • Is Your Will Enough
        • Surviving Spouse's Share
        • Disinheriting Children Massachusetts
    • Estate Planning Case Studies >
      • Couples Estate Planning Case Study
      • Proactive Estate Planning Case Study
      • Estate Tax Planning Case Study
      • Estate Planning Case Study: Asset Protection
      • Estate Planning Case Study: Pets
      • Estate Planning Case Study Guardians
      • Estate Planning Case Study Codicil
      • Estate Planning Case Study Unique Wishes
      • Estate Planning Case Study Family Financial Future
      • Estate Planning Case Study Business Succession
      • Estate Planning Case Study Blended Family
      • Estate Planning Case Study Medicaid Trust
      • Estate Planning Case Study Non Traditional Bequests
      • Estate Planning Case Study Predeceased Child
      • Estate Planning Case Study Changed Circumstances
      • Estate Planning Case Study Estate Tax Planning for Married Couple
      • Estate Planning Case Study Safeguarding Assets
    • Working With Our Estate Planning Team >
      • Estate Planning Lawyers
      • New Client Intake Estate Planning
      • Initial Estate Planning Assessment
      • Creating Your Estate Plan
      • Estate Planning Process Overview
  • Business Law
    • Guide to Business Law Content >
      • Small Business Law Resource Center
      • Start Up Legal Guide
      • Employment Issues for Business Owners
      • Business Litigation and Dispute Resolution Guide
    • Small Business Law Issues >
      • How To Use a Business Lawyer
      • How to Incorporate
      • Corporate Transparency Act
      • Business Contract Basics
      • Trademark Basics
      • Sale of Business
      • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Business Law Case Studies >
      • Business Buyout Case Study
      • Franchise Decision Case Study
      • Workforce Expansion Case Study
      • Business Law Advice Case Study
      • Expanding Equity Case Study
      • Protecting the Family Business Case Study
    • Guide to Small Business Disputes >
      • Common Small Business Disputes >
        • Breach of Contract Disputes
        • Common Employment Disputes
        • Business Torts
        • Shareholder Disputes
        • Shareholder Freeze Out
      • Business Dispute Resolution Strategies >
        • Civil Suit Defense
        • What is Arbitration >
          • Arbitration Agreement
        • What is Mediation >
          • Mediation Provision
      • Business Dispute Case Studies >
        • Real Property Dispute Case Study
        • Contract Dispute Case Study
        • Predatory Services
        • Family Business Dispute
        • Credit Card Processing Dispute
        • Non Compete Blocking Entrepreneurs
        • Insurance Agent Non Compete
        • Veterinary Clinic Ownership Dispute
        • Non Solicitation Case Study
    • Working With Our Business Law Team >
      • slnlaw Business Lawyers
      • New Business Client Intake and Consultation
      • Business Case Assessment and Strategy
      • Holistic Business Law Services
  • Civil Litigation Guide
    • Civil Litigation Overview
    • Statute of Limitations
    • Civil Lawsuit Discovery
    • What to Expect as a Plaintiff
    • What to Expect as a Defendant
    • Civil Lawsuit Settlement
    • Working With Our Litigation Team >
      • Litigation Attorneys
      • New Litigation Client Intake and Consultation
      • Civil Litigation Initial Engagement
      • Litigation Success Principles
  • About
    • How Slnlaw Can Help
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway >
      • Jenna Ordway Business Law Matters
      • Jenna Ordway Employment Law Cases
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Sharleen Tinnin
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog