By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com Going to the hospital for a medical procedure can be stressful, and, at times, confusing. Sometimes during the intake process, you may be asked if you have a Health Care Proxy (HCP) in place. If you do not have an HCP, or are unsure, they …
Advocacy
When a Loved One Dies: A Checklist of Important Steps
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com After a loved one passes away, there are numerous legal and financial matters to address. Here is a comprehensive checklist to help guide you through the process: Obtain Certified Copies of the Death Certificate The funeral home will provide certified copies of the death certificate. …
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Gifting, Medicaid Nursing Home Benefits, and What to Consider Before Giving
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com I often hear the question, “How much can I gift someone without triggering taxes?” While Massachusetts doesn’t impose a gift tax, the federal government does, albeit with a considerably high exemption. In the current year of 2023, gifts up to $17,000 per recipient are not …
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The Benefits and Drawbacks of Reserving a Life Estate
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com Your home is often your most important asset. Many families want to protect this asset from the high cost of nursing home care. When nursing home care is not imminent, a common planning technique is to deed the home to a loved one, typically your …
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Transferring a Motor Vehicle After the Owner’s Death
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com One of the most common questions that arises when settling an estate is: “How do I transfer or dispose of a vehicle after the owner has died?” This is especially relevant in Massachusetts, where navigating the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) process can be confusing. …
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Estate Administration: Should You DIY or Hire an Attorney?
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com A common question we get from people handling a loved one’s estate is whether they need an attorney—or if they can manage the process themselves. Our answer? It depends. Every estate is different, and the level of complexity, as well as the personal bandwidth of …
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Navigating Estate Planning After a Dementia Diagnosis
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be a daunting and emotional experience, both for the individual affected and their loved ones. Amidst the challenges of coping with the diagnosis and managing its progression, estate planning often becomes a critical concern. Planning for the future becomes …
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Real Estate Sale After Death
By: Brandon C. Walecka, Esq. Walecka Law, P.C. 774-203-9003 Brandon@WaleckaLaw.com In recent months we have had a number of calls coming to our office with the following problem. The caller explains that they are attempting to sell a home owned by a family member. A buyer has been found, but then shortly before the closing …