According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers have stolen a record-breaking $12.5 billion from U.S. consumers in 2025. Worse, the number of scams increases dramatically during the holidays, and elders are prime targets. Scams take so many forms that it is virtually impossible to list them all. Emails, texts, pop-up ads on social...
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ADUs and the Estate Planning Attorney
How to Live with Your Kids While Protecting Them & Yourself from Taxes and Other Unpleasantness
Please join us to explore the legal and practical considerations of creating and sharing an Accessory Dwelling Unit [ADU] with loved ones. We will discuss what to do about utility costs and fair...
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Understanding the Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Impact on Social Security Taxes
There is a great deal of confusion over the Big Beautiful Bill Act’s (BBBA) impact on Social Security taxes. Some even claim the Act eliminates Social Security taxes entirely. Does it?The short answer is no. In fact, Social Security benefits, per se, are not subject to federal taxation at all. However, when...
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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Converting a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA
If you are considering the conversion of a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, there are a number of factors to consider. Let's begin by looking at some key differences between these two retirement accounts.With a Traditional IRA, contributions may be tax deductible in the year(s) they are made. Taxes don’t have...
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Join Us for an Evening of Q&A on Aging in Place
***To RSVP, see the yellow highlight below.***
Estate Planning for Families with Accessory Dwelling Units
Last time I discussed how a new law has simplified the creation of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and how ADUs can help elders and people with disabilities live at home for as long as possible. I am so excited about the possibilities this opens for elders and disabled persons...
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If You Haven’t Reviewed Your Estate Plan Lately, the New Year is a Great Time to Do So
Your estate plan must be kept up to date to ensure it continues to meet your needs and achieve your goals. As you think about the changes you want to make in the coming year, I hope you’ll also reflect upon the changes that took place in your life last year… and...
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Watch Out for these Online Scams Targeting Elders
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023. Worse, elders are particularly vulnerable, especially to online scams. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center announced that Americans over the age of 60 were defrauded of approximately $3.4 billion in 2023, up 11% from 2022. It is...
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How PACE Helps Elders Reside at Home for as Long as Possible
As most of you know, I am committed to helping elders live at home for as long as possible. My last two articles have focused on MassHealth programs that help elders accomplish this goal. You can find these articles here. Now I’d like to discuss another option: PACE (Program...
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Two More MassHealth Programs that Help Elders Avoid Moving to a Nursing Home
As you know by now, my goal is to help elders stay at home for as long as possible. For most people, their own financial resources are not enough, and we supplement those with MassHealth (or sometimes the VA). Under the MassHealth umbrella, there are several programs that can...
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