Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Is The MassHealth Look-Back Period And How Does It Affect Your Planning?
Have you ever wondered why so many people start long-term care planning years before they think they will need it? The answer often comes down to one rule: the MassHealth look-back period. If you are exploring how to protect your home and savings while still qualifying for nursing home benefits, understanding this rule is… Read More »
Does Non-Probate Property Count For The Massachusetts Estate Tax?
Massachusetts has an estate tax that applies to estates that are valued at $2 million or higher. Notably, non-probate property still counts towards the estate tax. Within this article, our Boston estate planning attorney explains the key things to know about non-probate property and the Massachusetts estate tax. Massachusetts Estate Tax Applies to More… Read More »
Your Guide To Health Care Proxy In Massachusetts
There may come a time when you will not be able to handle your own health care decision making. A living will helps to guide your health care proxy in making health-related decision in order to ensure that your wishes are followed by doctors and other medical providers. It is not a legally binding… Read More »
Can You Set Up A Lady Bird Deed In Massachusetts?
Broadly defined, a Lady Bird deed is a specialized type of real estate deed that, among other things, states who will inherit the property when the owner of it dies. Lady Bird deeds are only allowed in a minority of states. Massachusetts does not allow Lady Bird deeds. However, there are alternative options available…. Read More »
Top Three Business Succession Planning Mistakes To Avoid In Massachusetts
Are you a small business owner in Norfolk County or elsewhere in the Greater Boston area? If so, it is crucial that you have a comprehensive succession plan in place. At Fisher Law LLC, we have extensive experience with succession planning for small businesses. Here, our Norwood business succession planning attorney highlights the top… Read More »
Is A Revocable Living Trust Actually Worth It?
Many people opt to include a revocable living trust as part of their estate plan. A revocable trust can offer some tangible benefits over a will. Still, it is not the right estate planning tool for every situation. If you are considering setting up a revocable living trust, it is useful to know the… Read More »
What Can We Do Now To Prepare For The Cost Of Long Term Care In Massachusetts
Long term care is extremely expensive. Indeed, the average cost of nursing home care in Massachusetts is nearly $400 per day (Massachusetts Division of InsuranceThat is nearly $150,000 per year. ). We see in our practice the typical cost per day for a nursing home in the Greater Boston Area to range between $433… Read More »
Questions You May Want To Ask A Massachusetts Estate Planning Attorney
The American Bar Association (ABA) explains that estate planning is the process that “covers the transfer of property at death as well as a variety of other personal matters.” Many people put off estate planning because they do not know where to get started. A lawyer can help. If you have questions, professional guidance… Read More »
Does Medicare Cover Nursing Homes In Massachusetts?
Nursing home care is expensive. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance explains that the average annual cost in the Commonwealth can run into the six figures. It is a big challenge for many families because Medicare does not cover nursing home care. Instead, Medicaid, called MassHealth in Massachusetts, is the public program that can be… Read More »
Should You Specify All Of Your Personal Property In A Will?
Are you preparing to write or revise your will? If so, you may have a lot of questions about how to deal with personal property. Among them: Should you specify your personal property in a will in Massachusetts? The short answer is “it depends.” Some people specify certain property, though not everyone does so…. Read More »