Estate Planning and Elder Law: Taxation & Estate Planning

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Taxation & Estate Planning

Estate Planning and Elder Law

Discussion of estate planning, elder law and health insurance matters in Massachusetts.
By Leanna Hamill, Esq.

Post Frequency: 3.8/day

Last Entry: January 14, 2010 at 15:23:11

Is your parent a beneficiary of your estate?

Posted on October 27, 2008
Some of my clients have their parents listed as primary or contingent beneficiaries of their estate. This may be a purposeful decision, or it may be because they named the beneficiaries many years ago before they had a spouse or...

Online MassHealth (Medicaid) Application & Eligibility Regulations

Posted on October 24, 2008
Wondering where to find the MassHealth (Medicaid) Application online? The Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services has downloadable copies of the application on their site. There are several applications and booklets, so make sure you are choosing the correct...

Will There Be a Reading of the Will?

Posted on October 23, 2008
I am sometimes asked by my clients if there will be a "reading of the will", and the answer is almost always "no." These days, there is generally no formal gathering at the attorney's office where the will is read...

"This is nothing like Senior Yoga!"

Posted on October 22, 2008
I went out to the Kripalu Yoga Center in Lenox last week for vacation. One of the activities they have is a noon time YogaDance, which is a very spirited dance for people of all ages and abilities. A group...

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Questions to Ask Your Aging Parents

Posted on October 21, 2008
As you get together with aging relatives this holiday season, or even as you see yourself and your siblings getting older, you probably know that there are questions you need to ask and things you need to know. If you...

Why Hire A Geriatric Care Manager?

Posted on October 10, 2008
I often recommend that my clients or their families hire a geriatric care manager to assist them in the maze of issues that come up during the transitions of aging. The New York Times has an excellent post on their...

Challenges Facing an Aging Gay Population

Posted on October 08, 2008
Many people face challenges as they get older - losing friends to illness or death, living alone, not having regular caregivers - but a recent article in Newsweek points out that these are increased risks for an aging gay population....

Technology for Seniors Can Increase Safety and A Sense of Belonging

Posted on October 03, 2008
Technology advances are being made which make it easier for people with vision problems, arthritis, and hearing problems to be be able to use the latest "toys" like cell phone and personal computers. Having access to a cell phone can...

Financially Preparing for Kids With Special Needs

Posted on October 02, 2008
The following US News & World Report Article was brought to my attention by fellow attorney Steve Worrell, who posted it on his Georgia Wills Law Blog. Regardless of what state you live in, it is important to work with...

Staying Healthy (and Keeping Others Healthy) When Visiting Nursing Homes or Hospitals

Posted on September 24, 2008
It's fall, which means colder days, colored leaves and an increased risk of colds and other illnesses. While most of us can recover after a couple days of rest, common illnesses can take a toll on the elderly and infirm....

Fall Prevention Awareness Day

Posted on September 22, 2008
It's Fall Prevention Awareness Day today. If you are caring for a elderly loved one, or if you yourself are getting up in years, you know the importance of preventing falls. An otherwise healthy person can find them in a...

Medicare Reaches Out To Caregivers

Posted on September 19, 2008
The federal government has a new site for caregivers at Medicare.gov. It covers topics such as billing, navigating Medicare, care options and provides resources for caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed. It even has a section on long term care and...

Say "Hello in there, hello."

Posted on September 11, 2008
Ya' know that old trees just grow stronger, And old rivers grow wilder ev'ry day. Old people they just grow lonesome Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello."- John Prine (also sung by Joan Baez) I seem to...

When Siblings Won't Help With Elder Care

Posted on September 09, 2008
It's a common scenario for families with aging parents who need care - one or two siblings take on the bulk of the work, whether due to proximity, scheduling, expertise or just a sense of duty. And then there are...

Project Lifesaver Comes to Hingham

Posted on September 04, 2008
Today's Hingham Journal reported that the Hingham Police and Fire Departments are now offering Project Lifesaver, a program that can locate a wandering child or adult. The adults or children who are at risk for wandering, either because of dementia,....

Preparing For Fall

Posted on September 02, 2008
As you ready to send your kids off to school (kindergarten to college) you'll want to make sure you've taken care of a few things: For any minor children, have you signed an Emergency Guardianship Proxy appointed a guardian in...

Reverse Mortgage Information for Consumers

Posted on August 20, 2008
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has launched a new website to help consumers make wise choices about Reverse Mortgages. The site explains that a "reverse mortgage loan is a special type of mortgage loan for seniors (generally age 62 and older)...

The Arc of the South Shore - Rally for Respect

Posted on August 12, 2008
The Arc of the United States and The Arc of the South Shore are calling for a National Rally for Respect to protest DreamWorks' recent release of the movie "Tropic Thunder".The film features the prominent use of the R-word and...

Make Life Easier for Your Heirs

Posted on August 05, 2008
The Boston Globe has a recent feature outlining 8 ways to make life easier for your heirs after you pass away. The things they recommend are: Write a will and keeping it updated, Compile all important information in a notebook...

Single, Childless and Growing Older

Posted on July 30, 2008
People often assume that their children will take care of them as they age. Those without children may worry who will take care of them. The New York Times has a recent post on their new blog The New Old...

New York Times Blog Addresses Caring for Aging Parents

Posted on July 07, 2008
The New York Times has a new blog, The New Old Age, which will address the concerns of children who find themselves caring for their aging parents. (You may need to register to access the site, but it is free.)...

Nursing Home Residents' Rights & The Ombudsman Program

Posted on July 02, 2008
When you or a loved one is admitted to a nursing home in Massachusetts, either for short term rehab, or a long term stay, you should know that every nursing home resident has rights, and every nursing home has an...

More Thoughts on Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

Posted on June 30, 2008
One of the most important reasons that parents of minor children need to make a Will, is to name guardians to care for their children in the event neither parent is available. Sabrina Winters, who writes the North Carolina Estate...

Planning Your Funeral On-Line

Posted on June 26, 2008
You can do everything else on-line these days - shop, communicate with friends and strangers, read the news, pay your bills, find a mate - and now you can plan your funeral on-line with MyWonderfulLife. As the site explains: Whether...

Terry Schiavo, Part 2?

Posted on June 24, 2008
The Palm Beach Post in Florida is reporting a case that is similar to the Terry Schiavo case of a few years ago. Both cases involve a young woman who has become incapacitated and did not leave behind written instructions...

Geriatric Care Managers - An Important Part of the Team

Posted on June 10, 2008
When caring for an elderly loved one, a team approach is often best. Each player - the doctors, nurses, home care providers, attorneys, financial planners and caregivers all their their roles. The New York Times has a recent article about...

Should You Put Burial Instructions in Your Will?

Posted on June 06, 2008
I often have clients ask me if they should include their burial wishes in their Wills. I always tell them "no." Your Will is the document that outlines how you want your property divided after your death, and hopefully it...

Leaving Behind More Than Just Things

Posted on June 04, 2008
When people die, they leave behind more than just "things". More than just photos and furniture and money and houses and pets and clothes and clutter. They leave behind things that were never said (and now can never be said),...

Traveling Without The Kids This Summer?

Posted on May 26, 2008
Are you taking a vacation without your children this summer, even a weekend away? Make sure you have the proper documents in place so that whoever is caring for your children has the authority to obtain medical care for them...

Need the Perfect Wedding Gift?

Posted on May 22, 2008
Tired of the same old items on a wedding gift registry? An article in the Boston Globe points out that some couples are looking to register for more useful things - like legal services. It makes sense; once you are...

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