A new year is upon us, and with it comes a host of New Year’s resolutions. A Neilson.com survey found that the top goals for the new year included: 1) staying fit and healthy, 2) losing weight, 3) enjoying life to the fullest, 4) spending less, saving more, 5) spending more time...
Are my special needs child’s benefits at risk?
It is often a long, drawn-out process to get your adult special needs child to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), MassHealth (Medicaid) benefits, food stamps, and housing subsidies she or he deserves. You should be aware that, unless you have a reputable special needs attorney establish a legally binding special needs...
Case Study: A Trust for a Child with a Disability
Margaret and Sam have always taken care of their daughter, Elizabeth. She is 45, has never worked, and has never left home. She is “developmentally disabled” and receives SSI (Supplemental Security Income). They have always worried about who would take care of her after they die. Some years ago, Sam was diagnosed...
Estate Planning for a Multi-Generational Family
Times have changed and so has the idea of what a traditional family looks like. Due to economic or practical circumstances, more households have become multi-generational homes with grandparents, parents and children all living under one roof, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data. The dynamic of a multi-generational...
Special Needs Alliance Article: Your Special Needs Trust (“SNT”) Defined
You have a special needs trust— or you have been designated as the trustee of a special needs trust— or your child has a special needs trust. What is a trust? What is a trustee? What is a beneficiary? What are all these terms you’ve never used before even though your first...
Q & A for Special Needs Trusts
If you are considering creating a special needs trust for a loved one, you’re in good company. More families than you may realize have at least one member who is disabled physically, intellectually, or emotionally and requires extra foresight when it comes to matters of estate planning. Below are some common questions...
Forbes Article: An Estate Plan For Every Stage Of Life
Rianka DorsainvilContributorPersonal Finance
There are many common misconceptions surrounding the topic of estate planning. For example, many people believe that estate planning just means having a will. Others think that estate planning is only a concern for retirees or those over age 55. Unfortunately, these misunderstandings can...
Is it Time for Your Estate Plan Check up
It is always smart to review your estate plan periodically to ensure that it will work as you intend when you need it. As we hunker down during the COVID-19 crisis, now is a good time for such a review.
Here are six tips to make sure your estate plan is in...
Why it is important to work with a Specialist for your Estate Planning Needs
Michelle Beneski, Managing Partner at Surprenant & Beneski, PC, CELA, LLM Taxation
As many of you know, my brother Dan, who is also my partner here at the firm, recently had a heart attack which was followed by a quadruple bypass. We were all greatly comforted knowing that he was in...
Financial Planning for Special Needs Adults: What You Need to Know
Estate planning for special needs adults can be somewhat challenging. You want to ensure that the adults have the income and resources they need without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits. A Massachusetts special needs planning attorney can assist families of special needs adults with financial planning to ensure their...