As some of you may know, I am on the board of the Norwell Council on Aging. At a recent meeting, we discussed a dramatic increase in the number of applications for heating assistance in town. The increase is understandable considering how much heating costs have gone up this year. According to...
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Five Estate Planning and Elder Law Mistakes that Could Come Back to Haunt You
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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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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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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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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Preserving Family Harmony: Who Should Administer Your Loved One’s Special Needs Trust?
If you have a loved one with special needs, you know the importance of protecting his or her eligibility for essential government benefits like MassHealth and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You also know that these benefits alone are not enough to give your loved one the highest possible quality of life.
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“Live Well, Age Well” Education Series with Norwell Senior Center
Live Well, Age WellEducation Series with Norwell Council on Aging
None of us can escape aging, but the choices we make throughout life can influence how well we live as we age. The Norwell Council on Aging is excited to begin the “Live Well, Age Well” initiative, offering a...
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