Did you know that May has long been a month of recognition for seniors? It all started in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy designated May as Senior Citizens Month to honor those aged 65 and older. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter carried on that legacy and renamed it Older Americans Month—a...
Tips for Assessing a Loved One’s Capacity
Watching someone you care about struggle with everyday tasks can be difficult. You may wonder if it’s time to step in or if they’re simply having an off day. These moments of uncertainty can weigh heavily, especially when they involve a loved one’s safety and well-being. The decision to offer more help...
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...
Planning for Long-Term Care: How Estate Strategies Can Help Secure Your Future
Planning for retirement or vacations often takes center stage, but preparing for long-term care is just as important. Rising healthcare costs make it essential to consider how you will cover the expenses associated with aging or chronic illness. Long-term care insurance is one option to help protect your savings and provide peace...
Understanding Medicaid Spend-Down Rules in Massachusetts
Medicaid eligibility often requires reducing your assets to a certain level, a process known as spending down. Understanding how to manage this process is essential for those planning to apply for Medicaid in Massachusetts. By strategically spending down assets, you can meet the requirements without jeopardizing your financial stability. Whether you're preparing...
Can Turning 65 Impact MassHealth Eligibility?
Determining whether you’re eligible for the significant benefits of MassHealth can be puzzling, especially as you approach age 65. In this blog, the experienced elder law attorneys at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., will clarify how reaching retirement age can affect your eligibility for MassHealth benefits in Southeastern Massachusetts. We will take a careful look...
Recognizing the Signs of Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation
As loved ones age, they become increasingly vulnerable to elder abuse and financial exploitation. If you have an older relative residing in a nursing home or other living situation in Southeastern Massachusetts whose well-being is in question, this blog is for you. In it, the skilled elder law attorneys of Surprenant...
Making Your Home Safe for Aging in Place
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our elder law attorneys are deeply committed to protecting the seniors of Southeastern Massachusetts from physical, emotional, and financial harm. This blog contains a number of strategies and tips to make home a safer place for all of us as we age.
As...
Understanding MassHealth Eligibility: Income and Asset Limits
As individuals age, planning for long-term care becomes increasingly urgent since most seniors will require long-term care at some point during their lifetimes. MassHealth, Massachusetts' Medicaid program, offers vital support for seniors requiring long-term medical care, but navigating MassHealth eligibility can be logistically complicated and emotionally taxing.
At...
Why Most Americans Skip Estate Planning (and Why They Shouldn’t!)
Written By: Attorney Wendy W. Weston, Esq.
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Here at Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we understand that estate planning can stir up a range of emotions. Some fear it tempts fate, while others see it...