At the estate planning law practice of Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we are proud that our two managing partners, Daniel M. Surprenant and Michelle D. Beneski, are both Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs). This means they have exceptional expertise in elder and special needs law, giving our firm a great advantage when it comes to helping our clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts deal with issues in these legal disciplines.
These two professionals have been selected by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), the only national organization accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) to legitimately certify this area of expertise. Particularly impressive is the fact that there are only about 28 CELAs in the entire state of Massachusetts and two of them are on our team.
What Working With a CELA Provides
Being named a CELA indicates that the lawyer designated has achieved the highest level of excellence in their profession. But being a CELA does more than provide reputational acclaim; it means the individuals certified are highly capable of meeting the needs of seniors, those with special needs, and their families. If you are in one of these categories, now is the time to reach out to Surprenant & Beneski to receive the legal representation and advocacy you need and deserve.
Issues Our CELAs Can Help You Address Productively and Efficiently
While some matters must be addressed by all estate plans, some are unique to older individuals, those with special needs, and their close family members. In other cases, the same issues are more complex for these clients than for the general population. For example, asset protection requires a different approach when it involves planning for Medicaid. Similarly, establishing a special needs trust has different requirements than a trust established for other purposes.
Most of all, different sensitivities come into play when you are handling planning for a senior or a special needs child or adult. Over time, our two in-office CELAs have experienced many different complicated situations which they are able to diplomatically with their expertise.”
Below are some matters for which the assistance of a CELA is invaluable:
- How to provide for your special needs child when you can no longer care for them.
- How to discuss the need for extended nursing care with an aging parent.
- How to help an ailing relative protect funds to allowing them in their own home.
- How to deal with a relative with dementia who needs supervision and can no longer make reasonable decisions.
- How to know when to begin protecting your assets from the 5-year look-back period for Medicaid.
- How to begin easing your young adult special needs child to transition to living more independently.
Whether you need guidance in Medicaid planning or advice regarding setting up a guardianship, one of our CELA attorneys will be responsive, compassionate, and eager to help.
Contact Our Experienced CELAs Today
If you need answers to questions regarding any type of special needs or elder care planning, get in touch with Surprenant & Beneski now. We not only have in-depth knowledge and long-term experience you can trust. We also have empathy that has increased during our decades in practice. Above all, as CELAs, we have expertise in the areas that most deeply concern you and your loved ones.