Creating Death Bed Final Estate Planning Documents
When a client contacts my office and tells me they only have a short time to live, the planning options are limited. In some tragic cases, I am called to the client’s bedside because the ill person is simply too weak or injured to travel to my office.
No...
First Steps to Take When Handling the Estate of a Loved One
A loved one’s death, even if expected, can be overwhelming, logistically as well as emotionally, especially if you are the designated personal representative, also known as the executor. Now is the right time to consult with a well-respected probate attorney who will guide you through the process of handling the estate of...
MassHealth and Probate Estate Recovery
The Federal government mandates that if you receive Medicaid benefits after age 55, or if Medicaid pays for nursing home care for you at any time during your life, Medicaid/MassHealth must attempt to recover the cost of benefits paid on your behalf from your estate at your death. In Massachusetts, MassHealth can...
Summer Sun & Solar Panels
Solar panels come to mind as we ease into summer when it is still a little light out at 9 PM. Many older homeowners take advantage of leased solar panels and the energy bill savings they provide. But those solar panels can present challenges when those homeowners want to apply for a...
Hiring a Caregiver
Most seniors prefer to stay at home as long as possible rather than move into a nursing home. For many families, this means eventually hiring a caregiver to look after an aging relative. There are two main ways...
Three Warning Signs That You May Need a Professional Trustee
Sometimes a parent or relative of a person with special needs will establish a special needs trust for their family member and decide to serve as the sole trustee of the trust. In other cases, a parent won't want to serve as trustee, but will ask a close friend or family member...
Explaining Conservatorship to Your Loved One
It can be difficult to talk with loved ones about protecting their assets or managing their financial affairs. Even if you have been assisting your loved ones with their finances for some time, it can be quite emotional and even complicated to explain that it might be time for more protection,...
Incentive Trusts: Ensuring That an Inheritance Will Be Well Spent
Many parents or grandparents with sizable amounts of money to pass on to their heirs are apprehensive about the effect it many have on their children or grandchildren. In some instances, they fear that the recipients will misspend the funds on drugs, fancy cars or failing businesses. In other cases, the...
How to Protect Your Last Will and Testament From Being Challenged
The Last Will and Testament is one of your most basic estate planning documents. If you die without a Last Will and Testament (intestate), crucial decisions about how your property will be distributed and who will be the guardian of your minor children will be decided by Commonwealth of Massachusetts intestacy laws.
Hiring a Caregiver: Should You Employ One Yourself or Go Through an Agency?
Most seniors prefer to stay at home as long as possible rather than move into a nursing home. For many families, this means eventually hiring a caregiver to look after an aging relative. There are two main ways to hire someone: directly or through a home health agency.