The holidays are known for being a special time for family get-togethers to reconnect with loved ones and old friends. Many family caregivers, however, struggle between the lofty notion of bygone holidays recreated and the current reality of whether this is really in the best interest of their aging parent(s) – or frankly,...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
Estate Plans Should Be Reviewed Every 3-5 Years
Attorney Michelle D. Beneski, P.C.
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The following case study by Attorney Michelle D. Beneski illustrates why estate plans should be reviewed every 3-5 Years. The names and details have been changed but this is a real-life situation that came through our office...
Yahoo Finance Article: How Long Does Probate Take?
By Ashley Kilroy
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If you own any property at all, you probably know about estate planning. You can decide what happens to your assets after you die, of course. But sometimes, people don’t pen a will or trust before they pass. Or, if they do, it’s not...
How can I protect my will from being contested?
The Last Will and Testament is the most basic estate planning document. If you die without a will (intestate), crucial decisions about how your property will be distributed and who will be the guardian of your minor children will be decided by Commonwealth of Massachusetts intestacy laws.
Because your will...
Are collectibles among your most valuable assets?
Many people begin collecting coins, stamps or other tangible property just because it’s fun to own and display. For some, though, collectibles are a form of long-term investment. If you already have a sizable, valuable collection in your possession, you should have it valued and then protect it as part of your...
Are my special needs child’s benefits at risk?
It is often a long, drawn-out process to get your adult special needs child to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits, food stamps, and housing subsidies she or he deserves. You should be aware that, unless you have a reputable special needs attorney establish a legally binding special needs...
How can I take the reins to help my aging parent?
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., more frequently than you would expect, we assist individuals and couples whose aging parents are losing their faculties and have not documented their wishes for the future. In some cases, in addition to not having a will or trust to ensure desired distribution of their assets, they...
Let’s Talk About Estate Planning 4 Reasons to get Started Today
Even in the closest families, conversations about money and death can be uncomfortable. “In our society certain topics are deemed private, and it is considered rude to discuss or ask about them,” says Michelle Beneski, managing partner at Surprenant & Beneski. “Within families, children are hesitant to raise the issue of estate...
Palliative Care
What is palliative care?
It is hard to live with a serious illness. You may feel lonely, angry, scared, or sad. You may feel that your treatment is doing more harm than good. You may have pain or other disturbing symptoms. Palliative care can help you and your loved...
Who’s Watching Your Mom?
Written by Lauren Langevin, Co-Owner, Home Instead Senior Care, North Dartmouth, MA
Would you leave a complete stranger alone in your home when you are not there? Of course not. Yet every day, family members allow complete strangers unsupervised access into their parents’ homes to provide in-home care services...