Powers of attorney can bring peace of mind to both elders and their caretakers. Powers of attorney allow elders to empower a trusted person to make decisions about health care and fiances on their behalf. Having such powers in place when a loved one loses the ability to make sound financial decisions can be priceless, …
Nolo Article: Helping an Elder Make a Power of AttorneyRead More
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com I often hear from prospective clients who say, “I’m calling because I need to create a simple Will.” Nearly right away, I educate this prospective client that a simple will is not enough to adequately provide for what happens should you become incapacitated or when …
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com I often hear from prospective clients who ask, “What is a Trust?” A trust essentially is an agreement between two or more people to hold assets (e.g., a house, bank account investment, etc.) for the benefit of someone else—for the benefit of a beneficiary. So, …
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com You have planned ahead and have decided how you want your affairs to be handled upon your passing. You have signed all of your Foundational Estate Planning documents: A Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney, a Personal Directive (sometimes called a living …
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com Many times, a person on disability relies on certain governmental benefit programs such as Medicaid (known as MassHealth in Massachusetts) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for support and medical insurance. They may receive SNAP benefits (commonly known as food stamps), PACE (commonly known as fuel …
Is Your Child Disabled? If so, an Inheritance from You Could Cost Them their BenefitsRead More
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com I often meet with clients who want their adult children to be able to access their accounts to help with writing checks or paying bills on their behalf. However, this good intention can create a serious risk of liability if carried out incorrectly. Often, a parent …
Is it a good idea to have my son or daughter on my bank account?Read More
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com When an individual dies owning property solely in his or her name, then a formal procedure (“probate”) is usually needed to determine to whom the property should pass. If there is a valid will, the property will pass according to its terms. If there is …
Written by Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. People who receive stimulus checks for relatives who are no longer with us are scratching their heads wondering what they should do with the money. Keep it? Deposit it into an estate account? Send it back? Donate it to charity? Something else? Fortunately, the IRS has specific guidance on what …
My Dead Relative Received a Stimulus Check. Can We Keep It?Read More
