Balancing the responsibilities of caring for aging parents while raising children can bring unexpected challenges. Many in this position find themselves pulled in multiple directions, often struggling to manage competing demands on their time, energy, and finances. Amid the challenges, it’s easy to overlook the importance of planning for the future. Taking...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
How ABLE Accounts Can Be Used in Massachusetts
An ABLE account offers individuals with disabilities a powerful way to achieve greater financial independence. These accounts allow families to save for the future without risking eligibility for government benefits. With tax-free growth and flexible use for a wide range of expenses, ABLE accounts help reduce financial stress while improving quality of...
What Is the Medicaid Five-Year Look-Back Period?
Planning for long-term care often raises questions about how to qualify for Medicaid without jeopardizing your financial security. Many people worry about how their past financial decisions, such as gifts to family members or transfers of property, might affect their eligibility. These concerns are valid, but with the right approach, you can...
Options for Trust Reformation and Modification
Irrevocable trusts are often seen as set in stone, but life doesn’t always follow the plans we make. Sometimes, circumstances change, and a trust may no longer meet the needs of its beneficiaries or align with the grantor’s original intentions. Whether it’s due to a significant life event, tax law changes, or...
Navigating MassHealth’s Spend-Down Requirements for Long-Term Care
Long-term care often comes with unexpected challenges, especially when managing costs. For many families, qualifying for MassHealth is a vital step, but the process of meeting financial eligibility can raise tough questions. How do you reduce assets without sacrificing stability? What steps can help protect your financial well-being while ensuring access to...
Gaining Benefits for In-Home Long-Term Care
Many people prefer to receive long-term care at home rather than move into a facility. Being surrounded by familiar faces and a comfortable environment can make a significant difference in maintaining independence and quality of life. In-home care provides the support you need while allowing you to stay connected to your community...
An update on the Social Security Fairness Act from Attorney Wendy W. Weston
Are you or a loved one a retired public servant such as teachers, firefighters, police officers and others who have paid into Social Security for years?
For over 40 years legislation has been in place that capped or excluded their claiming of the benefits they paid into for so...
Overwhelmed by Estate Planning? Start Here!
By Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Partner
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One of the most common reasons people delay estate planning is the sheer volume of decisions it seems to require. The good news? You don't need to have all the answers upfront.
Instead of feeling paralyzed by the...
New Year, New You: Updating Your Estate Plan for Recent Life Changes
The New Year is the perfect time to take stock of your life and make meaningful updates. While many focus on health goals or career aspirations, it’s equally important to ensure your estate plan reflects your current circumstances. Life is full of changes—marriage, children, new homes, or shifts in health—and your estate...
Pooled Trusts Reinstated: An Asset Protection Tool for Long-Term Care Planning
By Attorney Erin l. Nunes, Esq., Partner
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Great news for Massachusetts residents! Pooled trusts are once again available as an asset protection tool for those planning for long-term care. Thanks to the recent passage of the Long-Term Care Bill, individuals seeking MassHealth benefits can now establish a pooled...