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 …
Is Your Child Disabled? If so, an Inheritance from You Could Cost Them their Benefits
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
Is it a good idea to have my son or daughter on my bank account?
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
Avoiding Probate
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 …
My Dead Relative Received a Stimulus Check. Can We Keep It?
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
The Risks with Unequal Inheritances
Written by Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. In order to avoid conflict, many parents and/or grandparents may decide to leave their children the same inheritance, although equal may not always be equitable. With the pandemic bringing the drafting and execution of more Wills, this issue is coming up more frequently. One stark example of this situation …
MassHealth Estate Recovery Policy Update
Written by Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. MassHealth is making the several reforms to their estate recovery policy in an attempt to prevent undue hardship for members and their families and to support low and middle-income families retain some assets while remaining in compliance with federal and state law. Usually, when a MassHealth recipient dies, MassHealth’s …
PBS documentary: “When my time comes”
Written by Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Spurred on by the death of her husband, Diane Rehm takes an in-depth look at medical aid in dying. She speaks to people on all sides of the issue, uncovering the pros and cons, and the facts and the myths surrounding this controversial practice that is now legal in …