Today, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the MITRE Corporation has published the membership of the independent Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes. CMS, under the leadership of President Trump and his Plan to Open Up America Again, seeks an independent review and comprehensive assessment of...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes
The Benefit of Whole Family Estate Planning
Sometimes, the term “estate planning” can bring up ideas of cold, hard numbers. The idea of estate planning might seem like something reserved for people with large estates, or significant financial resources. In reality, estate planning is an important task for all Massachusetts residents. People of all income levels and all...
How to Protect Your Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
While states, including Massachusetts, have been slowly re-opening, coronavirus (COVID-19) is still a serious problem. Policymakers and scientists are still unsure whether we will see a spike in COVID-19 cases, or a second wave, as more states begin loosening restrictions on stay-at-home orders. This pandemic has spurred many Massachusetts parents to consider...
Should You Give Your House to Your Children to Protect it from Medicaid?
After a lifetime of hard work, many seniors are disappointed to learn that they can’t afford the nursing home care that they need. The average cost of nursing home care in Massachusetts is $4,740 per month. For many families, qualifying for Massachusetts Medicaid insurance, also known as MassHealth, is the only...
The Difference Between an Advanced Directive, a DNR, and a Health Care Proxy
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, more people than ever are taking time to get their affairs in order. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our families is to make sure we have important legal documents prepared in case we contract the coronavirus...
Important Updates Court Operations and Opening Courthouses
As the Commonwealth re-opens in phases, it affects all aspects of business including court related business. Below is a summary of how, and when, the courts in Massachusetts will re-open. As with all re-openings, remember to be patient with staff, as this is a new way of operating for them.
Newlyweds and New Estate Plans!
Did you know that the month of June is the most popular month to wed? We wish our “Congratulations” to all the new bride and grooms who may have tied the knot recently! While many couple may be registered for china sets, one present that is truly indispensable is estate planning. A...
Do Your Kids Know Your Plans? Talk to Them
Most families never talk about what one’s wishes may be when they become incapacitated or when they die. After all, no one likes to talk about their own mortality, especially with their children, even if they are adults themselves. However, an open dialogue would be the best thing for everyone. It will...
What is Home Health Care?
Home care describes a host of services typically delivered by a nursing agency or home care agency. Services typically include:
Physical TherapyOccupational TherapySpeech TherapySkilled Nursing CareHome Health Aide ServicesNutrition CounselingHospice CarePersonal care such as dressing and grooming, transferring, errands, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, meal planning and preparationRespite careMedication Management...
I love my son-in-law but…
Parents often have questions about what happens in many situations that involve a child’s spouse. What happens if my daughter dies before me, does her share go to her husband? What happens if my daughter gets divorced, can her husband take her inheritance? Truthfully, we really don’t like our son-in-law. We are...