At Surprenant & Beneski, our experienced estate planning attorneys assist clients throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, many of whom inquire about the reasons for, and logistics of, planning their funeral. While you might expect this to only be a concern of our elderly clients or those who are seriously ill, the reality is that...

Lifetime Planning for Solo Agers
Often, we say that estate planning is about thinking about your family, but what if you don’t have family? Solo agers are a demographic that, although unique, are not uncommon. More and more we are seeing a widow or a widower, divorced, never married or an only child who has no siblings...

New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors
New Year’s resolutions are a way to start off the New Year right. Usually, they have to do with improving ourselves. Whether it is to lose weight, exercise, learn a new skill, etc. More often than not, the resolution only lasts a few weeks or a couple of months. Here is an...

Where Do I Start with Estate Planning?
Written by Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Partner
I get it! No one wants to talk about Estate Planning. That’s the #1 reason why it doesn’t get done. The 2nd reason estate planning doesn’t happen is because no one knows where to start. Let me tell you that it actually...

Let’s Talk About Estate Planning 4 Reasons to get Started Today
Even in the closest families, conversations about money and death can be uncomfortable. “In our society certain topics are deemed private, and it is considered rude to discuss or ask about them,” says Michelle Beneski, managing partner at Surprenant & Beneski. “Within families, children are hesitant to raise the issue of estate...

Estate Planning for Teachers
To say the last year and a half has been a challenge would be the understatement of the century. So many have stepped up to help others and to give a sense of normalcy in such an abnormal time. One group of people especially come to mind: teachers.
Children...

If Life is a Highway, then Estate Planning is the Road Map
Estate Planning is like a road map. And while the map may be straight forward for some, for others there may be stops along the way. One thing is for sure is that it all leads to the same destination: peace of mind!
A lot of people put off...

CNBC Article: Estate planning for LGBTQ+ families is crucial. Here’s what you need to do
Everyone should have an estate plan. For LGBTQ+ families, it may be even more critical.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to be married or they may have children where only one partner is the biological parent, said Gina Nelson,...

Off to College? Don’t Forget About the Essentials!
This time of year is always so exciting for parents. Proms. Parties. Pictures. Graduations. Prepping for college. But before you do all that, there is something else you should consider for your 18-year-old child: their estate plan.
We know what you are thinking, “why would I need an estate...

The Sandwich Generation: How to manage if you find yourself here
Did you know that a staggering 47% of adults in their 40s/50s are providing care to a parent 65 + years old while also raising their own small child or helping to support their young adult child? This increasingly common group has been coined the “sandwich generation” to describe adult children who...