I'll be walking in beautiful Nelson Memorial Park on Saturday, October 14. See here for event details.
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.
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Eligibility for Assistance from MassHealth to Pay for Long-Term Care
Given the high cost of long-term care, it’s not surprising that Medicaid (known as MassHealth in Massachusetts) is now the largest provider of funds for nursing home care in the United States. As I discussed in a previous article, MassHealth can also pay for home care, assisted living,...
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The Difference Between a Will and a Beneficiary Designation… and Why It’s Important
Wills and beneficiary designations are similar in that they allow you to name the person(s) who will receive your assets after you pass away. However, they are not the same. Understanding the differences is crucial to ensuring your wishes are carried out.Let’s begin with two basic definitions. A will is an estate...
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Protecting Your Life Savings Against the Cost of Long-Term Care: Irrevocable Trusts
Trusts are among the most powerful tools in the estate planner’s toolbox. The benefits of a trust include probate avoidance, greater privacy, and expedition of estate settlement. They can also establish specific parameters for the use of your assets during your lifetime and after you pass away, allowing greater customization of your...
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When to Update Your Estate Plan
Some folks believe that an estate plan is a “get it and forget it” proposition. The truth is that your estate plan must be updated to address changes in your life, the lives of your loved ones, and the law itself. At the very least, your plan should be reviewed every three to...
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Myths and Misconceptions: Childless Couples Don’t Need an Estate Plan
An estate planning myth shared by many childless couples goes something like this, “We don’t have any kids, so why would we need an estate plan? Whichever one of us lives longest will just inherit everything we own.”The rationale behind this notion is understandable because it embodies another myth about estate planning,...
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Options Available for Professional In-Home Care
The vast majority of elders needing assistance with daily living prefer to remain at home rather than move to an assisted living residence or a nursing home. Helping my clients accomplish this goal is one of the cornerstones of my practice. In the past, I’ve written about the resources available in Massachusetts to...
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Tips to Lower the Cost of Long-term Care Insurance
Given the high cost of long-term care, it should come as no surprise that many people ask me what I think about long-term care insurance. As I mentioned in a previous article, I am a big fan of long-term care insurance. This despite the fact that such insurance has...
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A Common Misconception about Wills and Probate
Many people believe that having a valid will allows their estate to avoid probate. This is not the case. In fact, the probate process focuses on authenticating a decedent’s will (if there is one) and approving the named “personal representative” so that he or she can settle...
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What Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange Must Know about “Service-Connected Disability Compensation” and “Presumptive Conditions”
Let’s begin by defining two terms. Service-connected disability compensation refers to payment to veterans for disabilities resulting from an injury or illness linked to their military service. Typically, a veteran must go through a lengthy process to prove that their disability stems from an injury or illness during their time in service. ...
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