The new year is a great time to look toward the future and plan ahead regarding Medicaid and long-term care costs. Here’s what you need to know, and how a bit of foresight now can pay big dividends for your future.
The Importance of Planning for Long-Term CareEstate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
The Pros and Cons of Joint Ownership in Estate Planning
For some families, joint ownership offers a sense of security and simplicity. Sharing ownership of assets like property or bank accounts can mean that if one person passes away, the other has immediate access without needing court approval. It’s a practical way to handle certain assets and often appeals to those looking...
End-of-Year Financial Review: Aligning Your Investments with Your Estate Plan
The end of the year offers a natural opportunity to review your financial and estate planning goals. Many people assess their finances at this time to prepare for tax season, set future goals, or take advantage of deadlines for contributions or deductions. Including estate planning in this review allows you to ensure...
Using Trusts for Medicaid Planning in Massachusetts
Medicaid is a government program that provides health care coverage to people with limited income and resources. To qualify, you must meet strict eligibility criteria, which include limits on your income and assets. For many applicants, this means reducing their countable assets below specific thresholds. Without planning, this could require spending down...
Durable Powers of Attorney for Finances
A power of attorney is a legal document that lets you give another person authority to manage your affairs. More specifically, a power of attorney for finances or financial power of attorney grants someone else, your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact,” the power to act on your behalf in financial matters. The term “durable”...
Starting Your Estate Plan? These Are the Documents You Need
Estate planning empowers you to protect what matters most—your loved ones, your assets, and your personal wishes. By creating a plan, you’re making thoughtful choices about your future and reducing the burden on family members during challenging times. This process allows you to address important questions about how your affairs will be...
The Importance of Regular Estate Plan Reviews: When and Why to Update
Estate planning isn’t a one-time task. Life changes, often in unexpected ways, and so do our needs and priorities. Just as you might regularly check in on your financial health, reviewing your estate plan helps ensure it’s always in sync with your current goals. Whether it’s a new addition to your family,...
Protecting Government Benefits Through Special Needs Planning
If you have a loved one with a disability, you understand how crucial government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid or MassHealth can be to their financial security and well-being. These programs often provide essential income and coverage for medical expenses. However, many families are concerned that leaving an inheritance...
How to Talk to Your Family About Estate Planning During Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our loved ones and all that we have. It can also be a good time to start a conversation about estate planning. Estate planning is the process of creating a plan for how your assets will be distributed after you die. It also includes...
Estate Planning Considerations for Massachusetts Veterans
Planning for the future is especially important for veterans, who often face unique challenges when navigating their financial and healthcare needs. Veterans in Massachusetts have access to various benefits through the VA, which can play a key role in their long-term financial security. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we help veterans structure...