National Healthcare Decisions Day is held annually in April. It was created to educate the public about the importance of planning for a medical crisis ahead of time and to encourage adults of all ages to put their wishes in writing by creating an advanced healthcare directive.An advanced healthcare directive allows you...
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Estate Planning Myth #1: Trusts are Only for “Rich” People
There are so many myths and misconceptions about estate planning that I feel compelled to dispel some of them in this forum. Consider, for example, the myth that trusts are only for the wealthiest of families, the so-called “one percent.” In truth, there are many different types of trusts, capable of helping...
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Long-Term Care Insurance: A Short Assessment
In my quest to help elders get the care they need and still live at home, another possible solution is long-term care insurance. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of this approach.First of all, long-term care insurance has become very expensive. That’s because many insurance companies suffered losses on policies written in...
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Paying for Home Care: The VA Aid and Attendance Program
As most of you know, one of the things I like best about being an elder law attorney is helping clients find ways to live in their homes for as long as possible and still receive the medical care they need. The VA Aid and Attendance...
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Now is a Good Time to Make Sure Your Estate Plan is Up to Date
With the holidays in the rearview mirror, most of us, myself included, will reflect upon what has happened over the course of the year and the changes that have taken place. (There is certainly a lot to reflect upon this year!)
As an Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney,...
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Announcing our Newest (Very Tiny) Associate
Welcome to our newest associate, Isabelle June Doyle, born on December 25th at 11:05 p.m. Proud (and tired!) mom is Elizabeth. Until Isabelle is old enough to master her own voicemail and email, Doreen will be taking her messages for her. We look forward to having Isabelle in the corner office (and Elizabeth...
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Happy Holidays!
Several years ago, we decided that instead of sending out holiday cards, we would make a donation. We continue to do that, and again we made our donation to the Friendship Home. We did so on Giving Tuesday, when it was matched by an anonymous big-hearted donor!
Wishing you...
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Think Twice (or Three Times) Before Giving Adult Children an “Advance” on Their Inheritance
Perhaps you have considered giving money to your adult children sooner rather than later, maybe as an “advance” on their inheritance. After all, it would certainly be nice to see and experience how your financial assistance helps them pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. However, before acting on your generous inclinations,...
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Another Strategy to Pay for Home Care Besides MassHealth: Reverse Mortgages
As I’ve mentioned in previous newsletters, one of my primary goals as an elder law attorney is to help elders reside in their own homes for as long as possible. MassHealth is one such option. Now I’d like to discuss a private-pay strategy: reverse mortgages.
A...
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What the Heck is Assisted Living Anyway?
While the vast majority of elders want to reside at home for as long as possible, many folks eventually require a level of care that makes living at home impossible, even with home care services like those I mentioned in my last newsletter.
Does this mean a move to...
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