Becoming eligible for MassHealth, the Massachusetts version of Medicaid, requires walking a financial tightrope. An applicant with too much money must get rid of it in order to become eligible – but once she’s approved, she may not have enough to cover basic needs, let alone incidentals. For people in that situation, maintaining the financial […]
Do you remember how much money you had five years ago? Do you know how much you’ll have in five years? Unless you keep meticulous financial records and have a crystal ball, you probably can’t say yes to both questions. Here in Massachusetts, five years is a significant time period. That’s the length of the […]
Keep the house or get Mom and Dad the long-term care they need? Some Massachusetts families find themselves in the position of having to choose between the two, thanks to MassHealth regulations. Don’t panic, though; adult children who find themselves in the position of making decisions for their aging parents do have options here in […]
It’s a common story among blended families: an aging parent becomes ill and the parent’s biological children clash with the parent’s spouse. While some of these disagreements are generally small, as a Middlesex County elder law attorney, I have seen numerous times when the disagreements are not only great, but the child also fears for […]
Massachusetts estate planning attorneys know, a divorce changes everything. If you are in the process of divorce or just finishing up, you are most likely busy trying to readjust to your new life. Although it’s a hectic time, it is important that you do not forget that you need to update your estate plan. Here […]
When most people think about estate planning, they picture money and property. But, as a Framingham will and trust lawyer, I see more and more people adding intangible assets to their estate plan. Intangible assets might be things that have no monetary value, but are nonetheless important to the family. They may include personal letters, […]
Are you planning for your children’s future? Picture this – you get an opportunity to spend some alone time with your spouse. What do you do to prepare for date night? You carefully select a babysitter. Then, you write detailed instructions; when to feed the baby, how often to change diapers, what snacks are allowed…and […]
Unfortunately, many parents of children with special needs wait until their child turns 18 to consider creating a Special Needs Trust. Sometimes, they even wait until their child eventually needs government benefits like SSI or Medicaid. However, Special Needs Trusts do a lot more than just protect the beneficiary’s access to government benefits and should […]
Elder care lawyers in Framingham work with families to prepare for any number of situations in the estate planning process. One circumstance that is especially relevant to elder care law is dementia. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are almost exclusively conditions which appear late in life. Along with the emotional turmoil on the […]
Probate lawyers in Middlesex County are well aware of the hassles and headaches that families face when a loved one’s estate goes into probate. The process can drag out, eating up not just time but also resources that would have otherwise gone to beneficiaries. Appointed executors find themselves with burdensome responsibilities that can compound their […]
The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which was created by Congress in 2014, allows people with disabilities and their families to save up to $100,000 in accounts for the benefit of a disabled person. The funds can be saved without jeopardizing the individual’s eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and other government […]
Longer lives are among the greatest achievements of our modern era. Advances in healthcare and other progress related to human safety have resulted in what the United Nations says is one of the most significant social transformations of the 21st century. However, with the success of longer lives come problems that catch most of us off-guard. […]
The Dangers of Denial – Why You Need to Plan for Long-Term Care for Your Parents in Middlesex County
Millions of individuals are affected by dementia in their lifetime. Unfortunately, it is usually after a medical crisis, like dementia, hits that many families begin to think about estate planning. What people don’t realize, however, is that it may be “too late” under the law to make a plan after dementia strikes. This is usually […]
