Arthur P. Bergeron
Elder Law with Frank and Mary
December. The season of giving. Because it’s also the end of the tax year for most people, it should also be the season of...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Time for your annual insurance checkup
As every senior knows, it’s Medicare renewal time. So this is my annual reminder: First, think about your health; has it changed (different meds?),...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Giving it away before and after you die
One of the greatest gifts you can give your family is the gift of not making them have to decide what to do with...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Do you really need a trust?
Trusts are meant to solve problems. Different problems have different solutions, one of which may be a trust. These are the most common problems...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: What needs to be done after someone has...
Usually, after your spouse, parent, relative, or friend has died, there is no legal issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. So, if...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Preparing for the Last Year of Your Life
When I had my third TIA recently, which came out of nowhere as I arrived back home from Home Depot, I remember thinking, as...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: You can always qualify for MassHealth
If you need nursing home care, or need a lot of care at home to avoid it, you can always qualify for MassHealth. It’s...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Dealing with life in your 80s
For Frank and Mary and all my clients (and for me too: I’m 73), the goal of life increasingly is to get a good...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Thinking beyond this tax return
After you scurry around trying to make sure your tax return gets in and your tax bill gets minimized, you may want to take...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: You’re 70. Now what?
Once you get over the shock of turning 70, you may want to start thinking about and planning for changes in your life. The...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: What Frank and Mary (and You) Should Think...
Many people start to think about having or updating their estate plan when they are in their 60s. One thing that is of utmost...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: An easy New Year’s Resolution: Review your estate...
Happy New Year! Reviewing your estate plan is a simple “resolution” that shouldn’t take much time, and may actually save you time, aggravation, and...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Happy Holidays! This year, treat yourself – and...
The holidays are a time to show gratitude for all our blessings, and a time of gifting. This year, consider giving yourself a gift...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Medicare challenge
Medicare renewal can be a daunting task, but it is important that you take the time to review it. Maybe your health has changed,...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Staying in control
A client of mine died peacefully this year in a really wonderful old retirement home that even reserved a hospice room for people who...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Have you planned for your last year?
As seniors, we understand that everyone eventually dies, and we know, for us, it may be sooner rather than later. Beyond that, it’s all...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Living with memory loss
We are all forgetful at times. There is a point, though, when those memory problems get noticeably worse, either for you or for those...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Planning to help your children (and grandchildren)
Most people want to leave their assets to their children and grandchildren. However, many families are more complicated, so your estate plan should address...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Elder Law for Singles
Probate avoidance
Typically, a couple owns their assets jointly. If one dies, the other becomes the sole owner. If you’re single, assets you own in...
Elder Law with Frank and Mary: Protecting your spouse
There are two important strategies for couples to consider that would need to be done while both of you are alive.
Qualifying for MassHealth
If you...