ARTICLES

Why You Want to Avoid Probate During the COVID-19 Crisis & Beyond

Why You Want to Avoid Probate During the COVID-19 Crisis & Beyond

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,...
Advocating for a Loved One in a Hospital or Nursing Home

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...
Probate Court Delays: It’s Going to Take How Long?

Probate Court Delays: It’s Going to Take How Long?

It’s heartbreaking to comprehend losing a loved one; losing a loved one from complications of the COVID-19 virus can be even more difficult to bear. The swift and sudden onset and extreme contagiousness of the illness means patients are dying without loved ones by their side. These factors can make it especially challenging for those...
When “What If” Became “What Now”

When “What If” Became “What Now”

The call came into my husband’s cell phone as we were sitting down for his 50th birthday dinner: “Your father has fallen and requires emergency surgery.” Since Bob had dementia and didn’t have family in the area, the doctors immediately looked to contact his health care proxy. Fortunately, years before the dementia set in, Bob...
Musings from a Reformed Hugger

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...
Should Mom Move in with Us?

Should Mom Move in with Us?

Q: Mom lives alone in the family home where we all grew up.  She seems lonely since Dad passed away several years ago.  I’m worried about her safety; she lacks socialization and it seems getting around is becoming more difficult. Taking care of a big home by herself is getting difficult.  As her daughter, I...
Questions to Ask After a Dementia Diagnosis

Questions to Ask After a Dementia Diagnosis

If you are a fan of the TV series “This Is Us”, then you have been following the story line about Rebecca and her diagnosis of dementia.  According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2019 Facts and Figures, 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, which is just one form of dementia.  Additionally, 1 in 3...
It’s 2020- Abbreviate the year at Your Own Risk!

It’s 2020- Abbreviate the year at Your Own Risk!

While we all hope for a happy and prosperous new year, scammers aren’t so generous of spirit.  With the start of the new decade and new year, many of us commonly abbreviate the year 2020 as simply ’20.   In the past, using an abbreviation for the year didn’t matter as much.  Now, it could cause...
Protecting Your Digital Assets

It is undeniable that we are a digital economy. According to Pew Research Center, approximately 87% of our population uses the internet. This means that an overwhelming majority of Americans are relying on electronic networks for regular methods of communication, organization and life management. But what happens when we die? Traditional estate plans focus on...

Ribbon Cutting with Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce

Today the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce celebrated Generations Law Group with a ribbon cutting! Jonathan Kerr, Executive Director of the Chamber gave a nice speech, presented a certificate to the firm, and wished us well in serving families in Acton, Sudbury and Greater Boston.   Above:  Phil Summers, Cathleen Summers, Erica Endyke

Join us for the Generations Law Group events

RIBBON CUTTING IN ACTON with the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce Friday, September 22 from 12pm – 1pm Casual lunch will be provided 179 Great Road, Suite 109, Acton, MA 01720 OPEN HOUSE IN SUDBURY Thursday, October 5th from 4pm – 6pm Serving hors d’oeuvres and beverages 111 Boston Post Road, Suite 101, Sudbury, MA 01776 Please RSVP...

To better reflect the firm’s work of providing comprehensive legal services to the “sandwich generation” – those who balance their own needs while managing the futures of both their aging parents and their children – the firm name is changing from Bay State Elder Law to Generations Law Group. “When a parent or in-law has...

Estate Planning for Single Adults

Studies have shown that being single in today’s society can have many advantages – more control over your life, ability to spend more time with friends and on activities that you enjoy and you may have more money than your married counterparts. Whether by choice, or as a matter of circumstance, the number of single...

How to Talk to Your Children About Health Care Decisions

“Can’t we talk about something more pleasant?” This is so often the response that we get when we try to speak with our loved ones about health care and end-of-life decision making. These conversations often make everyone uncomfortable, because it is dealing with issues and decisions that we often times don’t want to face or...

Should you hold your family’s property in an LLC for greater protection?

Families or individuals who own multiple investment properties, multifamily apartment buildings or lease to commercial tenants, should consider purchasing properties as an LLC or transfer current properties into a newly formed LLC. What is an LLC? An LLC is a business entity created under Massachusetts law by drafting and filing Articles of Organization with the...