Most Americans do not have a Last Will & Testament or any type of estate planning document in place. The coronavirus pandemic has inspired many Southeastern Massachusetts residents to get their estate planning affairs in order. Whether you are finalizing your will, trust, health care proxy, advance health care directive,...

The Benefits of an Advance Medical Directive During COVID-19
As of the end of July, more than 150,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the United States. Over 4.4 million people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Most people who contract the coronavirus recover from the virus without any lasting side effects. Unfortunately, coronavirus can also cause perilous symptoms....

Are You 50+? Now is a Good Time to Begin Thinking About Long-Term Care
Yes, it might seem crazy to start thinking about a possible future when you're infirmed and need long-term health care if you're only in your 50s. You're young, or relatively young, and healthy. But that's the point: You...

Is your Child or Grandchild Leaving for College this Fall?
Alice and Mark drove John out to Worcester and dropped him off at his dorm. The college was about two hours from their home on Cape Cod. Once he was moved in, Alice gave him a tearful goodbye. Things seemed to be going well that first semester of college. They talked and...

Aging Care Article: Create Your All-Star Care Team in 5 Steps
In this country, there is a growing problem regarding a lack of supportive resources for family caregivers. There are government programs, charities and nonprofit organizations that might be able to help intermittently, but what caregivers often need most is sound advice, regular respite and an extra set of hands.

Four Reasons Estate Planning Is So Important
It seems like many people devote more time to planning a vacation, what car to buy or even where to eat dinner than they do deciding who will inherit their assets after they're gone. Sure, estate planning isn’t as fun to think about as booking a trip or checking out restaurant reviews....

AARP Article: The Sandwich Generation Feels the Caregiving Crunch
by Barry J. Jacobs, AARP
Carol had a big heart — sometimes too big, she thought. She was glad to run errands for her unmarried 82-year-old aunt who suffered from Parkinson's disease. But then her...

Forbes Article: Laid Off During the Pandemic: Should You Tap Into Social Security Early?
Ashlea Ebeling, Senior Contributor, Personal Finance
If you’re laid off in the COVID-19 economy and you’re an older adult, you might be wondering: Am I going to have to take Social Security earlier than I planned? How much will that reduce my monthly benefits in the long run? What...

Aging Care Article: How to Find Out If a Loved One Had a Will
Upon the death of a family member or friend, there are many details to see to in a short time. The emotions surrounding the loss make level-headed decisions difficult, and, once the funeral is over, there are many financial and legal tasks that must be dealt with. A letter of instruction can...

ElderLaw Answers: Is It Legal for My Mother to Name Her Financial Advisor as a Beneficiary in Her Will?
Q: My mother named her financial adviser and his children as beneficiaries in her will. Is it legal for her attorney to allow this?
A: It is legal, but it raises red flags. In the United States, you can do whatever you want with your money: give it to...
