Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can go through. During this time of mourning, it can be challenging to know what steps to take next. To help guide you through this difficult process, here are some important things to do when a loved one passes away. 1. Notify F...
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The Power of an Immediate and Comprehensive Durable Power of Attorney
Are you prepared for the unexpected turns that life may take? Estate planning isn't just about drafting wills and trusts; it's about ensuring that your wishes are honored and your assets protected, even when you're unable to make decisions for yourself. One crucial component of any comprehensive ...
Long-Term Care in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a lengthy history of supporting the long-term care needs of elders and people with disabilities across the lifespan. The Patrick Administration's long-term care policy is community first, an approach that emphasizes maximizing independence in home and community settings while as...
Fact or Fiction: Estate Planning Demystified!
Now is a great time to start the estate planning process. Begin by attending one of Julie Low's complimentary workshops, Fact or Fiction: Estate Planning Demystified! Our next workshop dates are Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 10 a.m. Click here to regist...
The Benefits of Comprehensive Estate Planning
Your personal estate encompasses all of your life assets, including cash assets, real estate, personal property (automobiles, jewelry, art, furniture, etc.), as well as items of sentimental value. In the past, estate planning traditionally focused on how best to align the distribution of one's ac...
What are the Essential Legal Documents?
Most people think if you have a Last Will & Testament and/or a Trust, then your estate plan is complete. Come to our Essential Legal Documents Workshop on Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 p.m. and learn why your estate plan is not complete without Power of Attorney, Healthcare Proxy, HIPAA Authoriz...
Visit EstatePlanning.com™ for a Wealth of Consumer Information!
My firm's membership in WealthCounsel® and ElderCounsel® was one of the best decisions I made when I started my law practice in 2010. Yes, it was a huge financial investment and even a little scary because I didn't even have a single client lined up, but one I felt was necessary to provide client...
Health Insurance Companies Urged to Cover Personal Location Devices
Currently, the purchase of and expenses related to a “Technology-Assisted Tracking Device” are not covered under health benefits plans in Massachusetts. Patients with dementia, Alzheimer's disease or Autism Spectrum Disorder can be prone to becoming lost or wandering from a given location. In add...
“Planning” vs. “Crisis”
We predominantly get two types of calls at the Law Office of Julie Low. One is for “planning” and the other is for “crisis”. Estate “planning” involves the creation of specific documents such as a Will, a Trust, Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, HIPAA Authorization, and Living Will. Having...
What is a Power of Attorney & Who Needs One?
November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. At the Law Office of Julie Low, we often get calls from people who haven't done any estate planning and now find themselves in a crisis situation with regard to a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease. If you become sick or disabled, eit...
Keeping Seniors Happy at Home
Maintaining a sense of independence is so important for the elder community. The sad truth is, many seniors, and those who love and care for them, do not know about the many services that are available to them. One non-profit, national organization is the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Eld...
Caregiver Agreements in Current Events
The New York Times published an article earlier this month featuring an artist who acted as the primary caregiver for her developmentally disabled sister. After their mother quickly and unexpectedly passed due to pancreatic cancer, Beverly McIver began to look after and live with her older siste...
Quiz: Can my loved one stay at home alone safely?
Though it can be emotionally difficult, it is important to assess whether your aging parent has reached a point where they are not safe to be home alone. A Geriatric Care Manager can make this process easier for you and may provide a variety of solutions to keep your loved one independent for as...
What does the MUPC mean for you?
Massachusetts finally has an entirely new set of probate laws after twenty years of debate. The Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) was signed into law on January 15, 2009, and is intended to bring significant changes to the probate process and important reforms to probate procedure. The M...
1 Simple Act that Will Improve Your Life
Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays; not only is it a day off from work to feast but we are surrounded by family. The house is cozy with delicious smells, conversations, and laughter– and everyone is simply enjoying where they are and who they are with. Thanksgiving is the holiday that...
When Long-Term Care Becomes End-of-Life Care
Because we work in both Estate Planning and Elder Law, we often encourage our clients to contemplate possibilities about the end of their life. These conversations are not always enjoyable, but are an essential part of the planning process, and can help create a clear path for your loved ones to ...
Inpatient or Outpatient? An Important Distinction for Medicare Recipients
Q: Is a Hospital Stay really a Hospital Stay? A: Not necessarily, if you are a Medicare recipient. If you are on Medicare and have to stay in a hospital overnight or longer, you might want to be aware of what status the hospital has on your record. Why? Because if you are classified by the hosp...
Estate Planning for the Seasons
Labor Day has already passed, and whether we like it or not, we are reminded of Fall. Sweaters, Pumpkin flavored goodies, leaves changing, and of course, winter. In Fall, the world around us is changing– it starts to harden, to yawn with brilliant crimsons and golds, and then turns over to slee...
Long-Term Care in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a lengthy history of supporting the long-term care needs of elders and people with disabilities across the lifespan. The Patrick Administration's long-term care policy is community first, an approach that emphasizes maximizing independence in home and community settings while as...