When someone passes away, their family may have to go through a court process called probate. This is when the court helps make sure the deceased person’s debts get paid and their belongings go to the right people. But what happens when the person who died didn’t have enough money or property to pay all...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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