When it comes to planning for long-term care, understanding the differences between MassHealth (Medicaid) and Medicare, as well as knowing which services are covered by each program is essential. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., a well-respected estate planning law practice serving clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, we are committed to providing you with...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes

Legal and Healthcare Considerations for Solo Aging in Massachusetts
Solo aging is a prominent trope among the growing demographic of older adults who are living independently, without a spouse or children to rely on for care. This presents unique legal and healthcare challenges, many of which can be addressed by elder care estate planning. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our

Jay Leno and Conservatorship: Protecting Assets or Restricting Rights?
The recent news of Jay Leno seeking conservatorship for his wife has brought this legal process into the spotlight. While it can be a crucial...

Help With Parents with Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Dealing with a parent with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia is a tremendous challenge — not only physically and emotionally, but financially and legally as well. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our estate planning/elder care attorneys have an in-depth understanding of what care for such patients involves and...

What is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust?
An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, or ILIT, is a trust specifically designed to own and be the beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies. Once an ILIT is set up and a life insurance policy is transferred into it, the trust itself becomes the owner of the policy. This means that...

What You Should Know Before Setting Up a Trust for Minor Children
When it comes to safeguarding your children's future, establishing a trust can be one of the most prudent steps you can take. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our seasoned trust attorneys specialize in assisting clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod in protecting assets and securing family legacies. Here's an informative...

Gifting Appreciated Assets vs Gifting Cash: The Impact on Taxes and Asset Protection
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our estate planning attorneys have been providing excellent legal counsel and representation to clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts for many years. Among our areas of special focus are asset protection and minimizing tax liabilities, both of which can benefit from strategic gifting. In order to...

CommonHealth and You
By Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Partner
If you are a disabled adult, you may benefit from a MassHealth program known as CommonHealth. CommonHealth offers benefits similar to MassHealth Standard, but without the $2,000 countable asset...

Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA)
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...

National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)
At Surprenant & Beneski, we are committed to providing exceptional legal services in estate planning, with a particular focus on elder law and special needs law. This commitment is epitomized by our lead attorneys, Daniel Surprenant and Michelle Beneski, who have both achieved the distinguished certification of Certified Elder...