A homemade Will might feel like a sensible shortcut—but the errors left behind can take years, and thousands of dollars, to untangle. There is something deeply appealing about the idea of writing your own will. It seems straightforward—you know what you own, you know who you love, and plenty of websites will sell you a...

When someone passes away, their family may have to go through a court process called probate. This is when the court helps make sure the deceased person’s debts get paid and their belongings go to the right people. But what happens when the person who died didn’t have enough money or property to pay all...

A significant change in PACE program eligibility rules takes effect April 6. Families and caregivers should act promptly to understand how this policy shift may affect long-term care planning. Effective April 6, the five-year Medicaid lookback period will apply to all PACE program applications filed on or after that date. This represents a substantial change...

When someone passes away, their estate often goes through a legal process called probate, which can sometimes be complex and emotionally overwhelming for families. In certain situations, the court may appoint a “guardian ad litem,” a neutral representative who protects the interests of individuals who cannot advocate for themselves. Let’s break down what this means...

If you’ve ever heard “Medicare” and “Medicaid” in the same sentence, you’re not alone in feeling confused. They’re both government health programs, but they were created for different reasons, serve different groups of people, and work in very different ways. Let’s break it down. What Is Medicare? Medicare is a federal health insurance program run...

As we enter 2026, it’s important to be aware of the updated MassHealth eligibility figures that may affect your long-term care planning. These annual adjustments can have a significant impact on your eligibility for benefits, so we’ve summarized the key numbers below. Community-Based Programs For seniors aged 65 or older who receive care at home...

When most people think about estate planning, they picture wills, trusts, and maybe a conversation with an attorney. But there’s one piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked—and it can completely override everything else you’ve put in place – beneficiary designations. Beneficiary Designations Beneficiary designations are the names you list on things like life...

If you or your spouse are considering the Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Massachusetts, there’s a significant change that could affect your financial planning. Starting January 15, 2026, new federal regulations fundamentally alter how MassHealth treats assets for married couples enrolled in PACE. What’s Changing? For years, PACE has stood...