It’s an all too common situation. A family is at the bedside of a loved one who is seriously ill and nearing the end of life. Each member of the family has a different idea of what should be done and...
Providing the best quality of life requires informed decisions.
Harry and Sally’s son Bill has autism and is 21 years old. Bill lives with his parents and the couple is concerned about his welfare after they die. Harry and Sally always thought Bill would live with his sister Joan;...
For most of us, our home is our most significant asset and we want to be able to pass it on to our children. Not everyone is aware, however, that there are several ways to do this. In order to understand which method is best for you, consult with a knowledgeable estate...
Written by Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Partner
I get it! No one wants to talk about Estate Planning. That’s the #1 reason why it doesn’t get done. The 2nd reason estate planning doesn’t happen is because no one knows where to start. Let me tell you that it actually...
Most of us have heard of wills being contested, but many people are not aware that trusts can also be contested, often for similar reasons. A trust is a legal document and, as such, can only be contested in a lawsuit in state probate court by a person with legal standing to...
Guardianship is a legal arrangement that allows one person to make decisions on behalf of another. In Massachusetts, a guardian may be appointed for two main reasons:
An adult becomes incapacitated and cannot manage their personal or medical decisions. A minor has...
According to Forbes Magazine, it is estimated that there are 12 million adults over age of 65 and are living alone, or 27% of the overall population. That is a staggering number. Of that population, most are women. Ironically, although they are now alone, most were at one time or another, caretakers to...
Few things in life cause more dread than tax time. It’s a lot of work to gather all the paperwork and financials that you will need. There’s also the fear of getting audited or forgetting to include something that could have resulted in a bigger refund. This is why so many people...
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our estate planning attorneys have assisted clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod in successfully planning their estates for well over a decade. In times of trouble, like the COVID epidemic, people are more inclined to be concerned about preparing for the unknown, but, ironically, because...
Financial abuse of the elderly is a growing problem in Massachusetts and throughout the country. Tragically, elder financial abuse often goes unreported, either because the victims are unaware they are being scammed, ashamed of having been taken advantage of, or fear retaliation. The best way to protect them is to contact Surprenant...
