Estate planning needs often arise around pivotal life moments. Marriage, the birth of a child, divorce and death of a loved one tend to bring about a need for making new plans or updating a plan that was previously in...
Your parents have no doubt had difficult conversations with you over the years. Talks about academic or social problems, conversations about your unacceptable behavior, discussions about dating and sex. Now, as you see them aging, if they are not preparing for the future, it’s your turn to bring up the challenging topic...
Within the larger subject of estate planning is the concept of elder law. Essentially, elder law is estate planning that deals with issues more common amongst the senior population. Because they regularly address these issues, elder law attorneys are not...
Planning for the future during an economic boom is fun. Optimism and joyful speculation give your estate plan a rosy glow, and it may seem the sky’s the limit. Nonetheless, there is much to be said for the realistic, protective mindset that accompanies estate planning during an economic downturn. In either case,...
As part of our family, pets typically get their needs well met and receive an enormous amount of care and affection. Unlike children, however, they do not grow up and become independent. For this reason, we remain concerned about their well-being for as long as they live and sometimes worry about how...
Qualifying for Medicaid in Massachusetts requires passing strict financial eligibility tests. One of the most important steps in this process is understanding which assets are exempt (not counted) and which are countable (at risk of being spent down). Knowing the difference can help you and your family protect property while still getting...
It is well-known that seniors are especially vulnerable to scam artists. The reasons are quite clear: seniors are often retired and available, having the time and interest to be responsive to a stranger’s proposition. They are also much more likely to talk on the phone or reply to an email that piques...
While it’s true that since 2015, when same-sex marriage became legal throughout the country, life became increasingly manageable for more than a million couples and families in the United States. Nonetheless, there are still complexities relative to LGBTQ estate planning that require the services of a skilled estate planning attorney. At Surprenant...
Written by: Atty Michelle D. Beneski, Esq., CELA, LLM in Taxation
Here’s the issue: The Federal government mandates that if you receive MassHealth benefits after age 55, or if MassHealth pays for nursing home care for you at any time during your life, MassHealth must attempt to recover the...
February 10, 1990
Dear Michelle, Michael and Daniel:
You are receiving a photocopy of the original letter because I don’t have time to write original letters to each of you. Enclosed is a...
