ARTICLES

Understanding Guardians ad Litem in Probate Court

Understanding Guardians ad Litem in Probate Court

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...
Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference?

Medicare vs. Medicaid: What’s the Difference?

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...
2026 MassHealth Eligibility Figures: What You Need to Know

2026 MassHealth Eligibility Figures: What You Need to Know

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...
Why Updating Your Beneficiary Designations Matters

Why Updating Your Beneficiary Designations Matters

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...
Important Changes Coming to MassHealth PACE Program for Married Couples

Important Changes Coming to MassHealth PACE Program for Married Couples

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...
Don’t Let Your Legacy Become a Legal Nightmare: The Critical Importance of Having a Will

Don’t Let Your Legacy Become a Legal Nightmare: The Critical Importance of Having a Will

We all know we should have a will. It’s one of those things that sits on our mental to-do list, right next to “organize the garage” and “start that exercise routine.” But unlike those other tasks, procrastinating on estate planning can have devastating consequences for the people you love most. When Icons Fall: The Prince...
When a Spouse Dies: How Can You Remove the Massachusetts Estate Tax Lien on Your Home?

When a Spouse Dies: How Can You Remove the Massachusetts Estate Tax Lien on Your Home?

Did you know an estate tax lien attaches to your Massachusetts real estate on your death without any requirement of notice to your family? Well, it’s true. In Massachusetts, when a property owner passes away, a ten-year estate tax lien automatically attaches to all real estate that decedent owned in Massachusetts, including jointly held property....
Navigating the MA Estate Tax: Why the Massachusetts $2 Million Estate Tax Exemption Matters for Your Family

Navigating the MA Estate Tax: Why the Massachusetts $2 Million Estate Tax Exemption Matters for Your Family

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...
Getting Help in Place Before the Crisis Hits

Most of us don’t like to think about it, but medical emergencies become more likely as we age. A fall at home, a sudden illness, or a gradual decline in abilities can quickly transform an independent life into one requiring immediate support. The key to navigating these challenges successfully isn’t just having good medical insurance,...

The Significance of Estate Planning in the LGBTQIA+ Community

Estate planning is crucial for everyone, but for members of the LGBTQ+ community, it carries additional significance and complexity. Despite important legal victories like marriage equality, many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples still face unique challenges when it comes to protecting their assets, healthcare decisions, and ensuring their wishes are respected. Why Estate Planning Is Particularly...

Top 3 MassHealth Planning Mistakes

Having MassHealth pay for your care as you age can be an invaluable service. If you think you or a loved one may need MassHealth benefits in the future, there are some things you can do to in advance to meet the eligibility requirements. We’ve compiled the top three most common mistakes well-meaning individuals can...

Financial Abuse of Aging Individuals

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th, so let’s talk about financial abuse against aging individuals – an issue that costs this population billions of dollars every year. Common types of Scams Targeting the Aging Population Technical Scams Along with the pandemic and resulting quarantine, members of our aging population have been isolated more...

Flying Solo: Life Plans for Solo Agers

Nurse Attorney Cathleen Summers talks to solo agers about the importance of reaching out to others and creating a life plan so you don’t feel lonely or isolated. Introduction 1:07 – Statistics of Solo Agers 2:30 – What a Life Plan is and what it covers 5:00 – Health & health care issues 8:50 –...