Many families with disabled members feel the crucial need to ensure their wellbeing even after they're gone. Informal plans like relying on siblings to share...
Estate Planning Blog – Surprenant & Beneski
Jay Leno and Conservatorship: Protecting Assets or Restricting Rights?
The recent news of Jay Leno seeking conservatorship for his wife has brought this legal process into the spotlight. While it can be a crucial...
CommonHealth and You
By Attorney Erin L. Nunes, Esq., Partner
If you are a disabled adult, you may benefit from a MassHealth program known as CommonHealth. CommonHealth offers benefits similar to MassHealth Standard, but without the $2,000 countable asset...
Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA)
At the estate planning law practice of Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we are proud that our two managing partners, Daniel M. Surprenant and Michelle D. Beneski, are both Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs). This means they have exceptional expertise in elder and special needs law, giving our firm a great...
National Elder Law Foundation (NELF)
At Surprenant & Beneski, we are committed to providing exceptional legal services in estate planning, with a particular focus on elder law and special needs law. This commitment is epitomized by our lead attorneys, Daniel Surprenant and Michelle Beneski, who have both achieved the distinguished certification of Certified Elder...
The Difference Between Senior Guardianships and Minor Guardianships
At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our accomplished estate planning attorneys have been successfully serving the needs of individuals and families throughout Southeastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. One of our important tasks involves handling the complexities of guardianship for those who are looking to protect their loved ones — whether...
Feel Good About the Future: 5 Reasons to Tackle Your Estate Plan This February
Love is in the air this February, but did you know that taking care of your loved ones extends far beyond a box of chocolates? February, aptly named "Feel...
The Dangers of Having No Will or Trust in Place and Losing Capacity Before Death
Considering the undeniable fact of our mortality, it is surprising how many people delay or overlook the importance of estate planning, including the drafting of wills and trusts. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., we know that the risks of dying without a will (intestate) or without a trust, compounded by...
Will and Trust Contests: How To Prevent Challenges From Unhappy Beneficiaries
Even if you have the purest intentions of providing for your loved ones when you pass and foresee a smooth transfer of assets, you should be aware that one disgruntled beneficiary who challenges your will or trust can destabilize the family. At Surprenant & Beneski, P.C., our estate planning attorneys...
Pitfalls of Do-It-Yourself Estate Planning
When it comes to the management and distribution of your estate, do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions can be tempting. With the internet brimming with cookie-cutter forms and how-to guides, it's easy to fall into the trap of believing that estate planning is just another task you can handle on your own. However, at...