Estate planning is often a topic shrouded in hesitation and uncertainty, especially for our aging parents. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the complexities of managing assets and future wishes. However, the absence of a well-structured estate plan can lead to unnecessary stress and confusion in an already emotional time. If your...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
Understanding the Pros and Cons of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
At Surprenant & Beneski, where we serve estate planning clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, we consider Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) a valuable tool when it comes to long-term healthcare. Although not always right for everyone, a MAPT is often useful in preserving assets while maintaining Medicaid (MassHealth) eligibility.
Is Probate Still Required If There Is a Surviving Spouse?
“Probate” is a distressing term in some circles, but it is not as scary a process as it is sometimes made out to be. At Surprenant & Beneski, we advise clients with diverse backgrounds, lifestyles, and income levels about when probate is required and when it can be avoided. In this blog,...
How Bank Accounts Pass on to Beneficiaries When a Loved One Passes
When a loved one dies and you are overwhelmed with grief, financial and legal matters requiring your attention are an additional burden. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our Massachusetts estate planning attorneys routinely help clients prepare for such challenging periods by making sure that assets like bank accounts will be smoothly transferred...
Benefits of Preparing an Inventory for Your Loved Ones Before Death
A primary reason for estate planning is to make life easier for your loved ones when you pass away. One of the ways to do this is to take a full inventory of your assets and keep it current. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we have been successfully assisting clients from...
Is It Possible to Get Paid While Taking Care of an Elderly Parent Full-Time?
It is not uncommon for elderly parents to need part-time or full-time care and for their adult children to want to provide it. Though most parents would prefer to be taken care of by loved ones, and many children would be pleased to oblige, most adult children do not have time to...
How to Protect Your Loved Ones’ Inheritance from Divorce
According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 40 to 50 percent of first marriages, and 60 to 67 percent of second marriages, end in divorce. It is no wonder that many people involved in planning their estates worry about protecting the inheritance they leave their loved ones from being ravaged by...
What You Can Do to Encourage Others to Have an Estate Plan
According to a recent study, 60 percent of Americans do not have an estate plan in place. As National Estate Planning Awareness Week approaches (the third week in October), the attorneys at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. are committed to raising awareness of the need for everyone to have an estate plan.
Estate Planning Awareness Week 2023
A Message from Michelle & Dan
This October 17-23, we celebrate National Estate Planning Awareness Week. This week is a time to raise awareness about the importance of estate planning and to encourage everyone to create a plan for their future.
Estate planning is not just...
Creating an Estate Plan: How to Protect Your Wealth and Prevent Hardship for Your Heirs
Written By: Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Partner
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Estate planning is the process of making arrangements for your assets when, and if, you become incapacitated, and after your death. It can help you ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, minimize estate taxes, protect your loved...