who is a good elder law lawyer in western ma

Matthew G. Karr, Esq., is the founder and principal attorney of The Heritage Law Center, LLC—an estate planning and elder law firm with offices in Woburn, MA and... Attorney Patrick G. Curley is an Elder Law and Asset Protection Specialist.

Full Answer

Do elder law attorneys provide Medicaid planning services?

Not all elder law attorneys provide Medicaid planning services and not all Medicaid planners are elder law attorneys. It is important to find a lawyer or non-attorney, professional Medicaid planner that specializes in this area and is familiar with state law.

How do I find an attorney who specializes in elder law?

Use the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ database to find an attorney who specializes in elder law. Includes information on health care directives, durable power of attorney, organ donation, insurance, bank accounts and more. Requires library card for access.

How much does it cost to hire an elder law attorney?

Cost of Elder Law Attorneys and Medicaid Planning. There isn’t a clear-cut answer as to the cost of hiring an elder care attorney for Medicaid planning purposes. Some Medicaid lawyers offer free consultations, while others charge an initial consultation fee or offer Medicaid planning conferences that range in cost from approximately $175 – $500.

What do you need to know about elder law?

Topic areas include housing, health care, insurance, financial, transportation, recreation, and more. Use the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ database to find an attorney who specializes in elder law. Includes information on health care directives, durable power of attorney, organ donation, insurance, bank accounts and more.

How do I know who is a good lawyer?

5 Signs of a Good LawyerCautiously Optimistic. Most cases aren't slam-dunks, and it is important that your lawyer doesn't make promises regarding the outcome of your case and should not be overconfident no matter how seasoned he or she is. ... Great Listener. ... Objective. ... Honest About Fees Upfront. ... Trust Your Gut.

Where is the best place to find a lawyer?

You can also find a certified lawyer referral service by: Going to LawhelpCalifornia.org. to find more information on a State Bar-certified lawyer referral service; Calling the State Bar's Lawyer Referral Services Directory at 1-866-442-2529 (toll free in California) or 1-415-538-2250 (from outside California); or.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

How do I choose a law firm to represent me?

10 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Law Firm To Represent YouExperience with your case type. ... Expertise in your local area. ... Advocacy style. ... Fee schedules. ... Employment history. ... Diversity. ... Reputation. ... Communication.More items...•

What do elder law attorneys do?

What Elder Law Attorneys Do? Elder law attorneys, also called elder care attorneys, estate and trust attorneys, or Medicaid lawyers, assist persons in preparing for long-term care and death. They assist seniors in a large and diverse array of legal tasks, which encompasses retirement planning, estate planning, creating wills and durable power ...

How much does it cost to hire an elder care attorney?

Some Medicaid lawyers offer free consultations, while others charge an initial consultation fee or offer Medicaid planning conferences that range in cost from approximately $175 – $500.

What is the role of a Medicaid attorney?

On the other hand, Medicaid attorneys often focus more on the legal aspects of Medicaid planning, such as creating Medicaid asset protection trusts or Qualified income trusts, which makes them the better option for this type of assistance.

Is it necessary to have an attorney for Medicaid?

While this process can be labor intensive and complicated, in most states it is not required that the person providing assistance be an attorney. For this task, a professional Medicaid planner might be better suited, as it is generally more affordable than hiring an attorney.

Do elder law attorneys work for Medicaid?

Not all elder law attorneys provide Medicaid planning services and not all Medicaid planners are elder law attorneys. It is important to find a lawyer or non-attorney, professional Medicaid planner that specializes in this area and is familiar with state law.

Massachusetts regulations

105 CMR 309 Safe driving. "designate [s] for health care providers and the Registry of Motor Vehicles cognitive or functional impairments that are likely to affect a person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle."

Selected case law

Guilfoil v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, 486 Mass. 788 (2021) Provides a lengthy discussion of the use of nominee trusts in Medicaid planning, and the difference between nominee trusts and traditional trusts.

Web sources

The Attorney General’s elder hotline, Mass. Attorney General. “Senior volunteers with the Elder hotline can help you find answers to your questions, resolve disputes with businesses, and assist with other issues.”

Print sources

The complete guide to managing your parents' finances when they cannot : a step-by-step plan to protect their assets, limit taxes, and ensure their wishes are fulfilled by Bill Swan, Atlantic Pub. Group, c2010.