ARTICLES

PACE Applications and the Five-Year Lookback Period: What You Need to Know

PACE Applications and the Five-Year Lookback Period: What You Need to Know

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...
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....
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

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...

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,...

Massachusetts ADU Law: A New Avenue for Generational Living

Massachusetts recently passed legislation regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), creating new opportunities for homeowners and families across the state. This change represents a significant shift in housing policy that could help address multiple challenges facing communities today. What Are ADUs and What Does the New Law Allow? Accessory Dwelling Units, commonly known as ADUs, are...