Insights
Think College Awarded $2.5M Stepping Up Technology Implementation Grant
Think College has been awarded a $2.5 million Stepping Up Technology Implementation Grant from the US Department of...
Early Stages of Dementia? There Is Still a Future
There can be a future, but plans must be made. A diagnosis of early stages of Alzheimer’s does not mean the immediate end....
Congratulations to our 2018 Massachusetts Super Lawyers!
Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC is proud to announce that our two Partners have both been named to the 2018...
Free Workshops in Framingham!
Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, PC and Annette Hines are excited to offer two free workshops to be held at...
Indiana Lawyer Accused of Stealing From SNTs Is Arrested
I hate to post such upsetting news, but bad people are part of the world we live in. We can't let them paralyze us and...
Lady Gaga writes a powerful essay on mental health …
... today in the Guardian. Worth the read. She herself has suffered from depression.
Air Passengers with Disabilities to get new “Bill of Rights”
President Donald Trump signed legislation late last week to reauthorize funding for the Federal Aviation Administration for...
Dads, Protect Your Children
When it comes to creating an estate plan, many men hesitate. Few people are eager to create their estate plan, but this...
New Facebook Group for Youth Transitioning to Work and Adult Life
The Institute for Community Inclusion ("ICI") is partnering with several other organizations in a new...
Crossroads Playground Challenge Match!!!
Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts will match donations up to $10,000 for Crossroads School's new...
Your Kids Can Be Helpful in Planning Retirement
As it turns out, your adult children may be helpful in making the transition to retirement. Your adult children may be...
Set Social Security Aside when Planning Retirement
What are the options with your benefits and what is the future of Social Security in general? here are many, many variables...
Make Sure the Right People Have Access to Your Digital Accounts
Are your digital assets included in your estate plan? If not, you most likely need a fresh look. The world is changing...
Baby Boomers Need Updating on Estate Planning
Everyone needs an estate plan. No exceptions. It was determined recently that more than half of the Baby Boomers in America...
Roth IRA Conversion Is Popular but Not for Everyone
A cost comes along with a Roth conversion and you can lose some tax deferral. Americans have moved more than $75 billion...
Job Fair!
Job Fair September 12, 2018 We just got notice of the Work Without Limits 5th Annual Career Fair for Job Candidates with...
You Can Include Your Pets in Estate Plan
Think about what your pets really need for continued care. If your pets are very important to you and your family, you can...
Have Young Children? Estate Plan Is a Priority
Estate planning is important regardless of age. However, it is especially important to families with young children. Many...
An introduction to the Assisted Living industry and some thoughts regarding how Massachusetts’ weak regulatory scheme has led to interesting cases and conflicting opinions.
Most people have heard the term “assisted living” and know someone who has lived in an assisted living community. While the...
Critical but underappreciated estate planning: Incapacity Documents
Everyone upon attaining the age of 18 should have an up-to-date suite of Incapacity Documents, even though 18 year olds...
Generation X Is Facing Some Tough Retirement Challenges
If you are Generation X, you are facing some unique circumstances. Members of Generation X, who are still feeling the...
Your First RMD May Be Looming
Okay, you have saved for retirement tax free for years. However, now it is time to think about the taxes. You have...
Just What Is a Power of Attorney?
Don’t wait until it is too late. Get a POA now. While most people are familiar with a will in an estate plan, a power of...
Children Can Contest Glen Campbell’s Will
The challenge will be to prove that Campbell, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, lacked the capacity to execute...
What Should Inherit If There are No Kids or Spouse?
If you do not have children or a spouse to include in an estate plan, there are still family, friends, and causes to...
Multigenerational Living on the Increase
Pew Research analysis reports 20% of population living in multigenerational homes There are a record number of...
REPRISE: Prepare Legal Documents as College Approaches
Your child is getting ready to leave the nest and head off to college. Now would be a good time to make sure proper legal...
AANE LifeNet Program
August 20, 2018 One of the biggest challenges we face with our clients and their families in crafting a long-term care plan...
Ready to Retire? Watch for Hidden Fees
Fees can drain your accounts, so watch them carefully. You have saved for many, many years and are now ready for...
Retiring? 61 Is NOT the Magic Number
Social Security rules and regulations are the key to the magic retirement age. For some reason, many American have come to...
Cohousing Communities Wave of the Future?
The concept still going strong after three decades. The economic answer for retirees living in expensive cities, such as...
SAFE Act May Come to Rescue in Elder Financial Abuse
The new law goes a long way in protecting the elderly from the increasing threat of scams. Elder financial abuse is very...
Women Live Longer but Often Save Less
Expected lifespan should be taken into consideration in savings plan. Woman have a longer life expectancy than men but on...
For the Elder, Family Meetings Can Be Helpful and Productive
A family may find a business model for meetings is a helpful guide, if an elder member of the family requires...
What Fits Your Circumstances? A Will, a Trust, or Both?
Knowing the difference between a Will and a trust is crucial, as well as how they will work for you as estate...
Educating Your Children about Estate Planning and the Income Tax
You may think your work is done when your estate plan is completed. However, a remaining step may be informing the...
Healthcare Costs Can Be Shocking in Retirement
The fear of huge medical bills causes worry to many a retiree. However, there is hope of solving the situation....
Giving Your Money Away? What Does the Family Think?
There are ways to give away money that help people and create some tax breaks. If you’ve reached a point in life where you...
Anthony Bourdain’s Estate Plan Goes Public
The estate includes assets as well as frequent flyer miles … and where they will go. There is considerable interest in the...
Considering Roth IRAs? It’s All About the Tax Burden
There are many keys to your income after retirement, including do you plan to travel? Or, what if your health care...
Prepare Legal Documents as College Approaches
Your child is getting ready to leave the nest and head off to college. Now would be a good time to make sure proper...
Revisiting Estate Plan a Good Idea … Especially Now
There are new tax laws in the country. However, there is still time to make necessary adjustments. If you have not...
Buzz Aldrin Fights Family over Charges of Dementia
Despite claims by his family, the second man to walk on the moon fights back. Buzz Aldrin, the 88-year-old astronaut, who...
Estate Planning? You Face Some 401(k) Questions
Companies offer retirement savings plans. However, the challenge can be in both saving and withdrawing. Most...
Estate Planning? Consider Family Dynamics
There are many things to think about, when estate planning. However, among the most crucial is to take potential...
Not All Assets Handled the Same Way
Your estate plan can run into difficulties, if your assets are not handled correctly. Your will does not necessarily have...
Deferring Taxes Can Backfire on Heirs
Massachusetts moves to make home ownership easier for elderly. However, the program can create a problem. To avoid the...
Begin an Estate Plan Early, Not Later
Don’t wait for retirement to launch your estate plan. People often put off estate planning, until they get older. ...
Social Security Is Not Going to Disappear
Opponents often claim that Social Security is going broke and will soon be bankrupt. ...
Separation Can Challenge Estate Plan
Spouse retains full rights to estate, unless there is a divorce. There were two deaths in the celebrity world...
A Way to Offset Provision in Tax Overhaul?
Deductions for state and local taxes face a new limit. One of the...
Elderly Often Have to Learn to Enjoy Themselves
There are health benefits to being mentally and physically active. People seem to have no problem learning how to have fun,...
Transferring Property Can Be a Challenge
There is a lot of paperwork involved in transferring property and it needs to be done correctly. Ownership of...
Speechless Renewed
May 22, 2018 I watch little television, but one show that Annette and I have enjoyed recently is “Speechless.” It is a...
Incapacity Planning
April 27, 2018 The next several blog posts will be about one of my favorite topics – incapacity planning! Not that I’ve got...
NY Times – Why You Should Have a Trust
April 18, 2018 Because a lot of our clients read the New York Times, and also just because it is a newspaper of great...
Advertise and Reach Massachusetts Elder Law Attorneys about your Business
April 17, 2018 Do you have a business or professional practice of particular interest to elder law attorneys? Or, does your...
Roth Recharacterization Still Possible in 2018
March 29, 2018 A Traditional IRA can be converted to a Roth IRA. The best way to do this is a “Direct Rollover” (which most...
3-Part Series by Attorney Annette Hines on Special Needs Trust and Special Needs Planning
You are invited to attend a special three-part workshop series on Special Needs Trusts & Special Needs Planning...
FBI Targets Financial Elder Abuse
March 23, 2018 The Federal Bureau of Investigation, in conjunction with other federal and state agencies, in an ongoing...
3-Part Series on Special Needs Trust and Special Needs Planning (Part 2)
Due to recent snow storms the previous presentations have been rescheduled and there is still time to sign up!...
World Down Syndrome Day – and 50 Ordinary English Mums
March 21, 2018 Today is World Down Syndrome Day. And to go with it, a recent video from 50 ordinary English Mums and their...
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Strikes Down Dept. of Labor “Fiduciary Rule” for Stockbrokers, Insurance Professionals
March 19, 2018 The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Friday struck down last year’s controversial regulations promulgated...
Medical Schools Improving Student Training to Care for Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
March 15, 2018 A new program at six medical schools is designed to bring up a new generation of physicians who are more...
Resources to Help Understand New MassHealth Changes
March 14, 2018 Beginning March 1, 2018, 1.2 million of MassHealth’s 1.9 million members are being placed in one of four...
Lessons from War on Raising a Special Needs Son
March 8, 2018 To help him, we must help ourselves Richard Engel has covered war zones as a reporter for over 20 years, and...
Special Needs Law Group Intern featured in MetroWest Daily News
March 7, 2018 Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts’ own Caitlin Butkus was featured in the MetroWest Daily News on...
Ahlborn Reinstated
March 6, 2018 New Budget Deal Reinstates Ahlborn Protections for Personal Injury Awards In 2006 the Supreme Court issued...
Federal Department of Health and Human Services to Create a National Plan to Support Caregivers
March 5, 2018 This weekend seems a bit quiet for a change, so we can finally write about something we’ve been wanting to...
3-Part Series on Special Needs Trust and Special Needs Planning (Part 1)
Everyone is welcome to attend Attorney Annette Hines, founding partner of Special Needs Law Group of Massachusetts, P.C....
Few Parents Plan For Future Of Children With Disabilities, Study Finds
February 27, 2018 DisabilityScoop.org reports on a University of Illinois study that finds few parents planning...
Fed to Begin Investigating Rise in Nursing Home Eviction Complaints
The federal government in December put states on notice that it would begin investigating nursing home discharges that...
HR 620 – Proposed Amendments to Americans with Disabilities Act
HR 620 – Proposed Amendments to Americans with Disabilities Act February 22, 2018...
Plaintiff Awarded over $2M in Attorneys Fees in Disability Case Against State
Plaintiff Awarded over $2M in Attorneys Fees in Disability Case Against State February 21,...
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court: Truancy Petition Against Autistic, Ill Child Dismissed
February 16, 2018 The Millis public schools filed a habitual truancy petition, pursuant to the children requiring...
Money Magazine: “More people with disabilities are getting jobs. Here’s why.”
February 15, 2018 Money Magazine reports that while the employment-to-population ratio for working age people with...
The Return of Endrew F.
February 14, 2018 Many of you may remember the unanimous United States Supreme Court opinion last year in the landmark case...
Best Bank? Or Worst?
February 13, 2018 What is the best bank with whom you can choose to do business? Especially if you are elderly or disabled?...
The New Gerber Baby
February 9, 2018 Gerber, the baby products company now a subsidiary of Nestlé Group with the famous Gerber Baby logo, began...
Bill to Restore “Money Follows the Person” Program
February 8, 2018 The “Money Follows the Person” program is a Medicaid Waiver Program that over forty states participate in....
New FINRA Rules addressing Financial Exploitation of the Elderly and Vulnerable
February 7, 2018 On Monday, February 5, 2018, two new FINRA regulations went into effect with the aim of assisting...
Delaware Bill for Assisted Suicide for the Intellectually Disabled
February 5, 2018 We advocates for those with disabilities frequently are heard to say that the disabled are the last group...
Qualified Disability Trusts – Better than Ever under 2017 Tax Act!
Qualified Disability Trusts (“QDisTs”) came into being with the 2001 Tax Act (affectionately known by tax practitioners as...
Kiddie Tax Simplified
The 2017 Tax Act simplified the Kiddie Tax. But whether your child will pay more now, or less, depends. The Kiddie...
Will Can Detail Life Tenant Responsibilities
Without guidelines, the responsibilities of maintaining property by a life tenant can grow into big problems. Giving a...
A Power of Attorney Can Solve or Create Problems
It is a good idea to find out how a power of attorney will fit your unique circumstances. Powers of attorney can be easily...
Time to Get Rid of Your Trust?
The new tax law has enough big changes that you need to review your estate plan to make sure that you are taking advantage...
Baby Is Born from Oldest Known Frozen Embryo
A Tennessee woman has given birth to a baby, after the successful implantation of an embryo that was frozen 24 years ago....
The Perception of Nursing Home Life
A new survey reveals that Americans view nursing homes so negatively, that the majority prefer death to living in one....
Resurrection and Taxes
It might not be possible at this time to pass away and be brought back to life years later, but it could be some day. That...
Ashes Stolen from Porch
The cremated remains of an Arizona woman's father were stolen off her porch, after the package containing them was left...
Tax Reform Has an Impact on the Disabled
Special needs trust may be answer to new tax reforms. Some of the people who were concerned about the new tax reform law...
Entitlement Programs May Be Next Target
What is next, as Republicans look to reform programs? It appears that Republicans may be prepared to propose cuts to some...
Circumstances Can Create Need for Multiple Wills
If you have assets in more than one nation, you need to be sure of the laws for a solid estate plan. There are people who...
Fight Develops over Manson’s Estate and Burial
Grandson takes issue with Manson’s friend and fan who claims he holds killer’s will. While it would appear that there would...
Charities May Face Hard Times with Tax Law Changes
There will most likely be some discussion before a tax proposal becomes a tax law. There may be a heavy impact from a new...
Maybe a Tattoo Isn’t the Right Place for a Directive
Doctors pondered the legal strength of a "Do Not Resuscitate" tattoo. Doctors had to figure out whether...
Estate Plan Should Keep Up with Technology
Estate planning has not kept up with children joining families through technological means. While estate planning has...
Your Family Needs a Plan If You Become Incapacitated
It is best to consider all possibilities when making plans to protect your family. In addition to creating your will and an...
Change Your Gender for Royal Title?
Male primogeniture is the rule in England. There may be a way around the rule of male primogeniture in England, according...