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...
Estate planning in Massachusetts has become a little easier—but no less important. With the state’s recent increase of the estate tax exemption to $2 million, many families may now avoid or reduce their estate tax burden. However, even with this change, the Massachusetts estate tax still affects more residents than you might expect. Understanding the...
While enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting has been suspended since December 2024, a February 18, 2025 decision by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas allows the reporting requirements to again be in effect. Business owners must understand and comply with the CTA...
Have you ever heard the saying “it’s better to give than to receive”? When it comes to taxes, that’s not always true. Before you rush to give away your valuable assets to your children or grandchildren, let’s break down why waiting might save your family a bundle in taxes. The Magic of the “Step-Up”: A...
Estate taxes can significantly impact the wealth you’ve worked hard to accumulate over your lifetime, potentially reducing the amount you can pass on to your heirs. However, with careful estate planning, it’s possible to minimize your estate tax exposure and maximize the legacy you leave behind. This blog post explores various strategies that can help...
On September 6, 2024, Governor Maura Healy signed into law H5033 (An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care) known as the Long Term Care bill. The legislation related to the bill has been long advocated by numerous groups, including the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA). Some...
For many people, a trust is an integral part of a thorough and effective estate plan. Whether it is designed to avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, or protect assets, it is important that a trust is administered as instructed in the trust document to ensure that it serves its purpose. Therefore, one of the most...
Whether you are new to Medicare or have received benefits before, it is important to understand and take advantage of the Open Enrollment period to make changes for your 2022 coverage. If you are already enrolled in Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Part D and do not want to make any changes...
The Office of Attorney General’s Office in Massachusetts has issued an informational advisory to all residents of nursing home facilities (also known as long-term care facilities) and their family members. They want everyone to know that the recent Stimulus payments, also known as economic impact payment made under the CARES Act, are property to the...
In this webinar, which was recorded on May 14, 2020, Nurse Attorney Cathleen Summers and Attorney Phil Summers discuss the details of probate – how long the process takes, what’s involved, and why you want to avoid it now and at any time in the future. In order for you to easily access this information,...




















