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We are Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys in Boston, Massachusetts, providing Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts, Planning for Solo Seniors, Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Probate of Estates. We are caring attorneys ready to help you, whether you are planning in advance or facing a crisis. Our Blog provides information that may be helpful to our clients.
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What Happens to My Parent's Estate If There's No Will in Massachusetts?
It is one of the most common situations we encounter in our practice: a parent passes away, and the family discovers there is no will. Sometimes they knew it was coming and hoped it wouldn't matter. Sometimes they had no idea. Either way, the absence of a will doesn't simplify things, it almost always makes them harder, more expensive, and occasionally devastating for the people left behind. Here is what actually happens in Massachusetts when someone dies without a will, and

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jul 84 min read


When Elderly Parents Won't Talk About Planning? A Summer Guide for Adult Children
Summer has a way of bringing things into focus. You arrive for a visit, sit down at the kitchen table, and notice something has shifted. Maybe your parent seems more tired than last year. Maybe the house feels a little less organized. Maybe it's nothing, or maybe it's the quiet beginning of something you've been putting off thinking about. Are you an adult child starting to wonder whether your parents have their legal affairs in order? You don't need to have a dramatic interv

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jun 244 min read


Already on MassHealth? Redeterminations Are Getting Tougher
In my practice, I have been hearing more and more from clients who have been on MassHealth for years, who are suddenly being asked to provide mountains of documentation at renewal time. What used to be a relatively routine check-in has become something that looks and feels like a brand new application. If you or a family member is currently receiving MassHealth benefits and has received a redetermination notice, please read this carefully. What Is a Redetermination? Redetermi

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jun 103 min read


PACE Program: A Powerful Tool for Staying Home; But the Rules Are Changing Fast
If you or a loved one wants to stay home and get the care you need as you age, the PACE program, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, has long been one of the best tools available. It provides comprehensive medical care, personal care, and social services, all coordinated through a local PACE center, while allowing participants to continue living in their own homes. For years, PACE was also more accessible than nursing home Medicaid in one important way: it did

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
May 293 min read


The Hidden Power of the Caregiver Child Exception and Why So Few Families Use It
Caring for an aging parent is one of the most loving things a person can do. Many adult children take on the role of caregiver, helping a parent stay in the comfort of their own home rather than move into a nursing facility. What few families realize is that this sacrifice can also bring an unexpected benefit. Under MassHealth rules, there is a little-known protection called the Caregiver Child Exception . When used correctly, it can help families keep their homes instead of

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Mar 33 min read


How to Talk to Your Spouse About Estate Planning When They Avoid the Topic
Tips for how to talk to your husband or wife about creating a Will and Estate Planning documents when they don't seem to care.

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Feb 243 min read


Caution...MassHealth Is Now Carefully Reviewing the Spouse’s Assets after Medicaid approval
Important MassHealth update for married couples in Massachusetts. Community spouse assets may now be reviewed annually.

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Feb 123 min read


The Second Chapter: How Seniors Are Redefining Purpose After Retirement
For many people, retirement marks the end of a long and meaningful career. But for others, it feels less like an ending and more like the beginning of something new. Life after retirement offers the rare opportunity to explore passions, build community, and live with intention. More than ever, seniors are redefining what this stage of life can look like. A New Definition of Retirement Retirement is no longer simply about slowing down. Today, many seniors are busier than ever,

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Feb 102 min read


Why Planning Matters at Every Income Level
Planning for your future isn't just for the rich, it is for everyone. Don't wait for a crisis. Plan ahead to make sure you have the documents you need and the people in place to support you and to consider options for long term care.

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jan 273 min read


MassHealth Rules Are Changing Quickly in 2026: What Massachusetts Seniors Need to Know
There have been recent changes to MassHealth (Medicaid) programs that impact how Massachusetts seniors can protect assets when needing more care at home or in a nursing home

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jan 143 min read


A Recent IRS Tax Announcement Provices a New Opportunity for Aging at Home
The IRS announced that payments to Live In Caregivers won't be subject to federal income tax. Elder Law attorney Kathy McNair discusses live in care as a strong option to help seniors age in place, at home, rather than relying on nursing home care.

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jan 133 min read


Feeling Behind on Estate Planning? Here’s How to Take the First Step
What is the first step to plan to meet with an attorney about your estate planning, Wills, and Trusts?

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Jan 23 min read


Smart Strategies to Protect Assets from the High Cost of Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care
As an elder law attorney in Massachusetts, I help families protect assets from the high cost of nursing home and long-term care. Changes to MassHealth regulations are making it more difficult to qualify for this program and to protect assets. It is becoming more important than ever to plan in advance. Many families are unprepared for the emotional and financial toll of extended care. With long-term care costs often exceeding $200,000 per year in Massachusetts, a coordinated s

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Dec 17, 20253 min read


The Secret Role of the Ombudsman: Your Ally Inside the Nursing Home
When a loved one moves into a nursing home, families want to believe that care will be safe, consistent, and respectful. But sometimes reality looks different. A resident might experience changes in care, delays in assistance, or staff who no longer communicate. Many families feel helpless when they see something is wrong but do not know where to turn for help. Massachusetts has a free program designed specifically to protect residents in long-term care. It is called the Long

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Dec 12, 20252 min read


Thanksgiving: A Time to Give Thanks, and to Check on Our Aging Loved Ones and Neighbors
Thanksgiving is an opportunity to check on the older adults in your life and make sure they are prepared. Do they have an estate plan in place, a Will, a Trust, a Health Care Proxy, or a Power of Attorney? Do they need help navigating long term care? Thanksgiving is a time to notice what is happening and if needed, offer support.

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Nov 25, 20252 min read


Your Digital Afterlife: What Happens to Your Online Accounts When You Are Gone
Our lives are no longer just physical. Every day we create a record of who we are online. We pay bills, manage investments, store photos,...

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Nov 18, 20253 min read


I Don’t Have a Lot of Money. Do I Really Need a Will?
Many people assume that wills are only necessary for the wealthy, but the truth is that a will is important for almost everyone. It is...

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Oct 21, 20253 min read


Leaving Your Legacy Starts With Identifying Your Core Values
I have helped people plan for their future for a long time. Over the years, I have learned that for many, planning is not just about...

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Oct 10, 20253 min read


You Finished Your Estate Plan - Now What Should You Share (and With Whom)?
When Sharing Too Much Backfires: A True Story One day, a woman came into our office with her long-time boyfriend and only son. She wanted...

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Sep 9, 20253 min read


Special Needs Planning: When and Why Your Estate Plan Should Include It
If you have a loved one with a disability or one who is not financially responsible, whether a child, sibling, or aging parent, your...

Kathy L. McNair, Esq.
Sep 2, 20254 min read
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