Massachusetts Estate and Elder Law
At the Law Office of Stephanie Konarski, we are committed to providing compassionate and effective legal services to seniors, persons with disabilities and their families throughout Massachusetts.
We provide high quality, thoughtful legal services at a reasonable cost. Our goal is to alleviate anxiety and provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions that fit your family’s needs and unique circumstances in such areas as:
• Protecting your assets and independence in the event of your incapacity or disability
• Caring for a loved one with a disability
• Probating an estate or administering a trust
• Providing for your family after you are gone
• Planning for the high cost of nursing home or assisted living care
• Filing an application for MassHealth benefits
We invite you to contact us to schedule a consultation. We can meet you at our office or at your home, nursing home or assisted living facility. We look forward to providing you with the practical advice and guidance you need to effectively plan for your future and the future of your loved ones.
What is elder law?
Why hire an elder law attorney?
What is Medicare?
Who determines if I am eligible for Medicare?
When should I apply for Medicare benefits?
If I apply for Medicare during the General Enrollment period, will Medicare coverage start immediately?
What benefits do I receive under Medicare Part “A”?
What benefits do I receive under Medicare Part “B”?
For more information click here
What is an “Estate”?
How Can an Estate Plan Help?
What documents should I have for a comprehensive estate plan?
What is a Will?
What happens to my property if there is no Will?
Are there limitations on dispositions by Will?
How often should a Will be reviewed?
How can I change my will once it has been signed?
For more information please click here
What is asset protection?
Can I protect assets by transferring them to my kids?
What should I do if my spouse is entering or expected to enter a nursing home?
Should I transfer my assets into joint ownership?
Will a revocable living trust provide asset protection?
What is an annuity and how does it work?
What is a Life Estate?
How can an Irrevocable Trust protect my assets?
For more information click here
What is long-term care?
What options do I have for long term care?
What is Long Term Care insurance?
How much does long term care insurance cost?
Do I need to protect my assets if I have Long Term Care insurance?
What if I do not qualify for Long Term Care insurance or it is too expensive?
What is Medicaid Planning?
What is the cost of nursing home care?
For more information click here
What is Probate?
What happens if I die without a will?
What property is subject to the probate process?
What property is not subject to the probate process?
What are the types of Probate?
How is the probate process started?
Should I try to avoid Probate?
What is an Executor or an Administrator?
For more information click here
Please click on any of the following for more information
Disability & Special Needs FAQs
Guardianship and Conservationship FAQs
Real Estate FAQs
EXECUTING ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC
How do you go about signing documents during this time of social distancing and self-isolation? In Massachusetts, a will be must in writing and signed by the Testator in the presence of two credible disinterested witnesses. Although notarization is not necessary, it simplifies the probate […]
Estate Planning in the Midst of the Corona Virus
The novel coronavirus pandemic and resulting social distancing and self-quarantining has caused obvious anxiety, fear and concern over our health, family and financial matters. It has left many of us feeling that so much is beyond our control. However, this is not the time to […]
Testamentary Special Needs Trusts in Medical Planning
Creating a Testamentary Special Needs Trust (TSNT) is often a good tool to utilize when planning for Medicaid for a spouse. A TSNT is a trust created under your Last Will and Testament. Under current rules, funds contained in a properly drafted testamentary trust generally […]
Paying for Nursing Home Care
In Massachusetts, nursing home care can cost as much as $15,000 a month and the average nursing home stay is two years. Unfortunately, there are not very many options for covering nursing home costs. There are typically four options for paying for nursing homes: Private […]
Massachusetts Medical Orders For Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST)
A MOLST is a clinical form and standard of care which describes your wishes for certain medically appropriate life-sustaining treatments in a medical emergency. It is a medical professional’s order that helps you keep control over medical care at the end of life. Similar to […]
Pre-Paid Funeral Contracts
Although funerals are never a fun thing to think about, failure to plan for this inevitability can have negative consequences for you and your family. When a loved one dies emotions are high. Financial implications of a funeral are often overlooked. However, funeral expenses are […]
Choosing a Personal Representative
Choosing a Personal Representative for your estate is one of the most important decisions you will make. Your Personal Representative has complete authority over the administration of your Estate. The Personal Representative also has significant responsibilities, including settling creditor claims, filing individual and estate tax […]
Appointing a Health Care Agent
If you were to become incapacitated and unable to make your medical decisions, who would make those decisions for you? If you haven’t executed a formal Health Care Proxy, in which you’ve named a trusted person to make health decisions on your behalf, then you […]
Elder Law Attorney or Estate Planning Attorney?
Elder law attorneys are advocates for seniors and their loved ones and should not be confused with estate planning attorneys. Estate planning attorneys primarily focus on the question “what happens when I die?” That is, how and to whom will your assets be distributed to […]
MassHealth Liens and Estate Recovery Rules
MASSHEALTH LIENS AND ESTATE RECOVERY RULES In some circumstances, MassHealth is entitled to recover the amount of benefits paid for a recipient’s medical care. This right applies only to the extent that MassHealth has provided medical services after the recipient reached the age of 55 […]
New Years Resolution: Update Your Estate Plan
New Year’s Resolution Updating Your Estate Plan New Year Resolutions are popular this time of year. Many of us resolve to lose weight, to start exercising, to become a better you. This year, why not add review your estate planning documents, including your Will, Trust, […]
Long Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance Long term care insurance (LTCI) is an alternative to qualifying for Medicaid or paying all long-term care costs out-of-pocket. It is designed specifically to pay for custodial long-term care services required due to a chronic illness or a condition lasting a prolonged […]
Disclaimer
The information you obtain at this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is for informational use only and does not represent the opinions of this law firm or any of its attorneys. The use of the material on this website does not create an attorney-client relationship and you should not rely upon the information provided here without seeking the advice of an attorney regarding your individual situation. Further, the materials on this website are not guaranteed to be accurate, complete or up-to-date as the law is always changing.
We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. However, contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship and no such relationship will be formed unless there is an expressed agreement between the Firm and the client. Please do not send any confidential or privileged information to us by e-mail as we cannot ensure the security of your e-mail.
This site must be labeled as “advertising” in accordance with the rules established by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. It is designed to provide general information and resources and should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice by an attorney licensed to practice in your state.