In honor of Halloween, I’d like to share what I consider to be some of the scariest (and easily avoided) planning mistakes.Thinking you can become eligible for long-term care assistance from MassHealth by simply giving your assets away.This might seem like a great idea, but MassHealth has strict guidelines for gifting, including...
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National Estate Planning Awareness Week Begins on October 17th
National Estate Planning Awareness Week was created to raise public awareness about the importance of proper planning and to dispel common myths. These myths include several that I have addressed in past articles, such as “Trusts are Only for Rich People” and “A Will is...
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Myths and Misconceptions about Alzheimer’s Disease
Last time, I discussed the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and my upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Now I’d like to clear up some common misunderstandings about this terrible disease. Myth: Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same.Dementia is a general term that refers to a decline in mental ability severe enough to impact daily...
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Please Join Me in Supporting the Walk to End Alzheimer’s
I'll be walking in beautiful Nelson Memorial Park on Saturday, September 24.
I'm walking for my grandmother, my clients, and for all of us who will be there someday. I'm walking to help reclaim the future for millions.
By participating in the 2022 Alzheimer's...
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Who Inherits Property In Massachusetts When a Person Dies “Intestate?”
When a person passes away without a will, a trust, or designated beneficiaries, the decedent’s assets are distributed according to what is called “intestate succession.” In this situation, “who gets what” follows strict guidelines established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These guidelines can lead to unexpected consequences, even in relatively common scenarios....
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We Are Hiring an Attorney!
We Are Hiring an Attorney!
We are looking for an experienced elder law attorney OR an experienced family law attorney who would like to switch to elder law. Please share this with anyone who may be interested - thank you!For the elder law attorney posting, visit
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Estate Planning Myths and Misconceptions: A Will is All You Need
When I meet with prospective clients, virtually every one of them tells me they need a will. The prevalence of this belief is not surprising when you consider that wills are one of the few estate planning tools most people have heard of. Nevertheless, the need for a will is not universal....
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Thoughts on Independence from an Elder Law Attorney
Independence Day has come and gone, but this time of year always reminds me of why I focus on estate planning and elder law: these areas of practice allow me to help my clients live at home independently for as long as possible. Let’s take a brief look at some of the...
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Factors to Consider when Choosing a Trustee
It is essential to choose a qualified trustee because this person (or institution) is responsible for carrying out your wishes and protecting your trust’s assets. The law requires a trustee to be a legally competent adult, that is, a person 18 or over capable of managing his or her affairs. Other than that...
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Avoiding Caregiver Burnout: Support is Available for Family Caregivers
Helping elders find ways to pay for in-home care and stay at home for as long as possible is one of the cornerstones of my practice. Now, I’d like to discuss resources available to family caregivers themselves. Caring for a family member can be rewarding, but there’s nothing easy about it—hence the term...
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