Qualifying for Mass Health | 10 Tips from a Massachusetts Medicaid Attorney Part 1
Qualifying for long term care under the Mass Health Medicaid program requires a certain commitment to detail, and also some understanding of pitfalls in the process. At our office, we frequently counsel clients hoping to minimize the extent to which Medicaid will reduce the family’s assets. What follows are some mistakes and myths to avoid […]
Do I Need An Attorney for a Will? | Cape Cod Estate Planning
When it comes to legal matters, let’s face it, there are many people in these economic times who are simply looking to cut costs. Absent an emergency, they reason, there is no reason to spend any more than is necessary to get the job done. So, in this line of logic, such people might consider […]
Inc. or LLC? | 5 Factors to Consider on the S Corp. and LLC
Almost anyone in business for him or herself seems to have a strong opinion one way or another on whether an S Corp or an LLC is the best small business entity. It is probably not uncommon to find a Certified Public Accountant somewhere behind this unusual passion, since CPAs are known for recommending their […]
What is the Estate Tax in Massachusetts? | Massachusetts Probate Law
This question has no easy answer. At the outset, however, we will note that all estates under one million dollars are entitled to a full exemption from Massachusetts estate tax under current law. While there are no modifications on the horizon as of summer of 2012, the law may nevertheless change at any time. Every […]
What is the 5 Year Medicaid Lookback Rule? | MassHealth Eligibility for Medicaid
During the process of applying for Medicaid, Massachusetts (or whatever state applied within) will look at all of the applicant’s assets including any major transfers occurring in the past five years. If the assets are deemed countable, and if owning them would have disqualified the individual from Medicaid benefits, then the state may require the […]
How to Contest A Will | Massachusetts Probate Law
When a person is dissatisfied with the terms of a will, he has the option to challenge the document in the Massachusetts Probate Court. That person, of course, must have some interest in the will to have “standing,” and he must file in the county where the decedent’s will is being probated (usually in the […]
How to Write a Last Will | 10 Estate Planning Mistakes Pt. 2
Effective estate planning can seem straightforward, until you take into consideration that people and life in general can be very unpredictable. This is the second part of a two part article on common mistakes in writing a last will. To read part one click here. 1) Not Keeping Adequate Records | The Scavenger Hunt Imagine […]
What is in an LLC Operating Agreement?
When a person decides he needs to form an LLC (Limited Liability Company), learning the basics and gathering together the necessary information and materials takes a little work. Drafting the LLC operating agreement is one of the most important parts of this process. This is because the LLC is controlled entirely by the terms of […]
How Do I Start a Business in Massachusetts? | 10 Factors Pt. 2
Starting a business can be both invigorating and exhausting all at the same time. To work for yourself offers great freedom, and of course great responsibility. The following is a continuation of a 2 part article on factors you should consider when starting a business in Massachusetts. These are simply suggestions you may not yet […]
Do I need a Life Insurance Trust? | 5 Reasons For an ILIT
In planning for your estate, you may have heard or researched the question of whether to place the life insurance you have or intend to purchase into a trust. While the policy itself is clearly to provide for the future financial needs of your family should you die, why would you put life insurance in […]