ARTICLES

Financial Abuse of Aging Individuals

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...
Estate Planning After Divorce

Estate Planning After Divorce

As they say, if there is one thing that is constant in life, it is change. Whether your marriage was short term or long-term, anyone who has been divorced or is in the process of going through a divorce, will tell you is a time of immense change.  It is imperative that your estate plan...
I’m Not Elderly So Why Do I Need an Elder Law Attorney?

I’m Not Elderly So Why Do I Need an Elder Law Attorney?

With an estimated 40 million Americans 65 years or older, our nation is growing older, living longer, and we have fewer resources for long-term care. As we age, we often face a broad range of complex legal concerns. The importance of planning for one’s future needs is essential. What is Elder Law? An Elder Law...
Medicaid Applications in Massachusetts: When DIY is a DON’T

Medicaid Applications in Massachusetts: When DIY is a DON’T

Getting Medicaid in Massachusetts (also referred to as MassHealth) to pay for your loved one’s home care or nursing home care can be a rocky road on a good day. When you try to DIY (Do It Yourself), the road can get even rockier. There is a lot of misleading, and even outright bad information...
4 Frequently Asked Questions about Declaration of Homestead

4 Frequently Asked Questions about Declaration of Homestead

When clients come to us wanting to protect their primary home, one of the tools we use is the Declaration of Homestead. These are the common questions we are asked about the homestead declaration, and how it can help our clients achieve their goals. What is a homestead? A homestead refers to the Homestead Act,...
Should I Add my Adult Child to My Bank Account?

Should I Add my Adult Child to My Bank Account?

For many seniors living alone or who have lost their spouse or life partner, adding an adult child as a signer to your bank account seems like a good idea.  You might be worried that if you become sick or unable to manage your own affairs that your bills will go unpaid and the thought...
Don’t Let the Nursing Home Take Your Stimulus Check!

Don’t Let the Nursing Home Take Your Stimulus Check!

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...
VIDEO: Understanding Benefits for Seniors

VIDEO: Understanding Benefits for Seniors

A key part of effective retirement and estate planning includes an assessment of your potential benefits. In this informative webinar, our panel of experts will explore basic benefits at the federal, state, and local level to ensure you’re taking advantage of all that you may be entitled to receive. Introduction to the webinar and to...
Advocating for a Loved One in a Hospital or Nursing Home

In this video webinar, Nurse Attorney Cathleen Summers discusses how to effectively advocate for a loved one who is hospitalized. Cathleen covers the basics from what estate planning documents should be in place and how to know what your loved one’s wishes are, to more in-depth information regarding effective communication with health care providers, and...

Musings from a Reformed Hugger

How Coronavirus has changed the way we say “hello” I’m a hugger, there is just no getting around it.  When I meet someone I know, my first inclination is to give them a hug.  It’s my way of saying how happy I am to see the person and to convey the message that they are...

Dear Generations Law Group: Should I Be Updating My Estate Plan?

Dear Generations Law Group, I’ve been updating my Naughty and Nice List and checking it twice. This got me to wondering, “Should I be updating my Estate Plan too?” Yours Truly, Kris Kringle Dear Mr. Kringle, Thank you for your letter and question! You started off on the right path by creating an estate plan....