Elder Law

Planning Ahead: Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Wills, Homestead Declarations, Trusts, Long-Term Care Planning. Analysis of assets and income and planning to have those provide for you and your increasing health care needs in the years to come. For individuals without appropriate friends or family members, serve as Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy.

Immediate Needs: Assist with finding the appropriate nursing home or assisted living. Advocate with hospital staff and insurance companies. MassHealth applications and appeals. Pair clients with a Geriatric Care Manager who can analyze needs to continue living at home and will coordinate the services needed. Pair clients with an Alzheimer’s Coach who can teach the family how to interact with and care for their declining loved one in order to maintain as loving and enjoyable a relationship as possible. Guardianships. Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Wills, Homestead Declarations, Trusts.

Special Needs Planning

Planning Ahead: Similar services as for elder law. In addition, working with parents and grandparents to conduct appropriate estate planning so that any inheritances to a disabled loved one do not inadvertently cut off that individual’s public benefits. In the parents’ estate planning, name appropriate guardians and create detailed care instructions for potential guardians. Match family with Disability Advocates and Special Education Advocates as needed. For children soon turning 18: naming parents or others as guardians.

Immediate Needs: Similar services as for elder law. Additionally, advocate before condominium boards regarding housing rights.

Estate Planning

Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Wills, Homestead Declarations, Trusts. Tax planning, charitable giving, business succession planning. Pairing clients with financial advisers as needed. Probate.

Child Protection Plans for Parents of Young Families

Cornerstone Plan: Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, naming Guardians, both temporary and permanent. Assistance with choosing guardians. Detailed instructions to Guardians. In the event of injury or death to parents, systems to immediately communicate to police and emergency responders information on whom they should contact regarding care for your children.

Foundation Plan: Same as above, but also includes Pour-Over Trust, which avoids court oversight. If parents of minors die without such a trust, the law requires that the children’s guardian meet with an accountant and attorney every year to report to the court on how he or she has managed the funds left to your child or children. In addition, without such a trust, the amounts and types of inheritances are public record. With a trust, this information is private.