Category Archives: Estate Planning Attorney
I Am A Senior Living In Massachusetts. How Do I Apply For Medicaid?
If you are a senior citizen who resides in Massachusetts, you may be eligible to receive Medicaid (called “MassHealth”) health care benefits from the state. The following article will provide some information regarding the Medicaid application process for seniors. What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a program funded jointly by states and the federal government… Read More »
6 Estate Planning Myths
Estate planning has many nuances and can often be disregarded altogether by people who believe that the process is too complicated, expensive, or tedious. The following article will provide some common myths that are typically associated with the estate planning process. Myth #1- Estate planning is only for the very rich. If you own… Read More »
Exploring The Types Of Probate In Massachusetts
After a loved one dies, the family may find themselves having to go to court to prove that the will left by the decedent is valid or to address any other concerns about the decedent’s property. This process is referred to as “probate.” The following article will discuss some of various types of probate… Read More »
How To Obtain Guardianship Of An Elderly Parent In Massachusetts
If you have an elderly parent who is unable to make decisions for himself because of a cognitive or physical disability, you may have considered seeking guardianship. The following article will provide information regarding how to obtain guardianship of an elderly parent in the state of Massachusetts. What is guardianship? Guardianship is a legal… Read More »
Estate Planning Basics
Everyone should have a plan for their estate in the event of their death. You may be thinking, “I don’t own an estate.” However, your estate consists of everything you own, including your car, your home, checking and savings accounts, life insurance, real estate, furniture, and personal possessions. Estate planning is extremely valuable, as… Read More »
Estate Planning Lessons from Celebrity Nightmares
The dispute over Larry King’s estate shines a harsh spotlight on what happens when an elderly person makes major changes late in life to his or her estate plan, especially when the person has become physically weakened and possibly mentally affected, due to aging and illness. A recent article from The National Law Journal,… Read More »
What Qualifies as a Qualified Charitable Distribution?
Qualified charitable distributions allow individual retirement holders to divert some of their federally taxable required distributions to charity, reports a recent article “A tax break for retirees is back. Here’s how to use it–and what to avoid,” from The Washington Post. Known as QCDs, they were not a big deal until 2017, when a… Read More »
Can I Revoke a Power of Attorney?
Spouses and partners chosen by adult children often lead to estate planning challenges. In one case, a parent worries that a second husband may be a poor influence and wants to revoke the power of attorney originally granted to a daughter. How to do that legally and without any hurt feelings is examined in… Read More »
How Do Special Needs Trusts Work?
A trust of any kind is a document that expresses your wishes while you are alive and after you have passed. The need for a dedicated trust for loved ones differs with the situations or issues of the family. Getting this wrong can lead to financial devastation, explains the article “Take special care with… Read More »
What Paperwork Is Needed after Someone Dies?
Tax return issues, family matters, business associates, partners, trustees, bankers, investment advisors and tax collectors from the IRS to state and local taxing authorities all require attention after someone has died. There is a lot of work, and often a grieving family member finds it helpful to enlist the aid of a professional to… Read More »