For many individuals and couples, the ideal retirement includes two homes — one in their original northern state, familiar and cozy, and one in a warm southern clime in which to relax and avoid the chill and inconvenience of a northern winter. Thus, they choose to become “snowbirds,” traveling back and forth...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant & Beneski
Ask the Attorney: Should I Leave Everything to My Spouse? (Spoiler — Your Kids May Never Get It)
Estate planning is a critical process that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you pass away. At Surprenant & Beneski, our estate planning attorneys are often asked whether it’s wise to leave everything to a spouse. Like estate planners everywhere, our clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, want to...
DIY Estate Planning: What Are the Risks?
Estate planning is a critical step in ensuring the well-being of your loved ones. It is also the surest means of securing your legacy. Like other significant steps you will take in your life, planning your estate requires the advice of those who have knowledge, expertise, and experience in this particular area....
How to Prepare for Older Out-of-Town Guests
There is no greater joy than seeing generations gathered together for the holidays. It does take some thoughtful planning and coordinating, however. If you are having your aging parents or grandparents staying with you, be sure to prep your house for someone who is more advanced in age....
Caregiver Stress During the Holidays
The holidays can be a wonderful time of year, but they can also be stressful for caregivers. If you are a caregiver, it is important to take care of yourself during this time. Here are some tips:
Let go of perfection. The holidays don't have to be perfect to...
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 2024
The Treasury and the IRS have recently released updated figures for various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for the year 2024. These updates have...
UPDATE: New Massachusetts Estate Tax Exemption Could Mean Big Savings for Your Family!
Good news! We are pleased to report that on October 4, 2023, Governor Healy signed House Bill 4104 effectively increasing the Massachusetts estate tax exemption from $1...
Estate Planning – the Ultimate Gift to Give Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Estate planning can improve your quality of life by forcing you to confront your mortality and identify areas where you want to make changes.
Understanding the Pros and Cons of a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust
At Surprenant & Beneski, where we serve estate planning clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, we consider Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) a valuable tool when it comes to long-term healthcare. Although not always right for everyone, a MAPT is often useful in preserving assets while maintaining Medicaid (MassHealth) eligibility.