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...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant & Beneski
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...
The Difference Between Senior Guardianships and Minor Guardianships
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our accomplished estate planning attorneys have been successfully serving the needs of individuals and families throughout Southeastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. One of our important tasks involves handling the complexities of guardianship for those who are looking to protect their loved ones — whether...
Feel Good About the Future: 5 Reasons to Tackle Your Estate Plan This February
By Attorney Rebecca S. Spinner, Esq.
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Love is in the air this February, but did you know that taking care of your loved ones extends far beyond a box of chocolates? February, aptly named "Feel...
The Dangers of Having No Will or Trust in Place and Losing Capacity Before Death
Considering the undeniable fact of our mortality, it is surprising how many people delay or overlook the importance of estate planning, including the drafting of wills and trusts. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we know that the risks of dying without a will (intestate) or without a trust, compounded by...
Will and Trust Contests: How To Prevent Challenges From Unhappy Beneficiaries
Even if you have the purest intentions of providing for your loved ones when you pass and foresee a smooth transfer of assets, you should be aware that one disgruntled beneficiary who challenges your will or trust can destabilize the family. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our estate planning attorneys...