Financial abuse does not always begin with an obvious theft. It may start with a new “helper,” an unexplained transaction, or growing pressure on your parent to share control of their money. You can help protect an elderly parent by watching for these warning signs, limiting unnecessary access to their accounts, and...
What I Wish My Children Understood About My Estate Planning Decisions
A Message from an Aging Parent
By Erin L. Nunes, Esq.
As an elder law attorney, I frequently sit across the table from aging parents who are trying to do right by their families. Again and again, I hear a familiar heartbreak: parents worry that their...
Why Adult Children and Parents Should Attend This Program—Together
By Erin L. Nunes, Managing Partner, Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C.
Every week, our office meets families who wish they had started planning sooner—or had a clearer understanding of the changes unfolding around them. Legal rules are shifting. Healthcare systems are under strain. Longterm care costs are rising. And adult children...
Too Busy for Estate Planning? Why Delaying Could Cost You—and Your Loved Ones—More Than You Think
In a world that celebrates productivity and constant motion, estate planning often slips to the bottom of the to-do list. Between managing careers, raising families, caring for aging parents, and keeping up with daily responsibilities, many people feel they simply don’t have the time to think about wills, trusts, or long-term financial protections.
Taking Money from an Irrevocable Trust Without Affecting the Medicaid Look-Back Period
Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Managing Partner
For many individuals and families, an Irrevocable Trust (IRT) is a crucial component of a comprehensive elder law plan, particularly for protecting assets while planning for potential long-term care needs and Medicaid eligibility. A common concern, however, is how to access funds from...
Secure Your Legacy with Virtual Consultations and Easy Signing
You've worked hard your entire life to build and protect what matters most. Now, it's time to ensure that your legacy, your wishes, and your loved ones are secure. Many people put off estate planning because they think it's complicated, but we've made the process simple and accessible. With our streamlined approach,...
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes Responds to PBS “Caregiving” Documentary with Renewed Focus on Legal Support for Families
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes Highlights How Proactive Legal Guidance Can Ease the Burden on Caregivers and Loved Ones
New Bedford, Massachusetts – The new PBS documentary Caregiving, executive produced by Bradley Cooper and narrated by Uzo Aduba, has struck a powerful chord across the country, but especially with the team at Surprenant,...
Massachusetts’ Elder Care Options for Solo Agers
Solo agers—those without a spouse, partner, or adult children—face a different set of questions when it comes to growing older. Who will make decisions if you can’t? Where will you turn for care? The good news is that in Massachusetts, you don’t have to do it all alone. There are smart programs,...
When Siblings Disagree on Parent Care: Legal Pathways to Resolution
Caring for an aging parent is never easy, and it can be even more challenging when adult children don’t see eye to eye. One sibling may want Mom to stay at home with hired help, while another believes a move to assisted living is best. Emotions often run high, especially when the...
How to Survive Taking Care of Elderly Parents
Caring for aging parents is one of the most meaningful and difficult roles many of us take on. It often arrives suddenly, without much time to prepare, and brings a mix of emotions, responsibilities, and stress. If you’re in the middle of this journey, or just beginning it, know that you’re not...