MASSACHUSETTS ELDER LAW LAWYERS

Greater Lowell Region | Middlesex County | Worcester County

Elder Law Practice

Planning for the future is not an easy task, but does make things easier for those you leave behind.

If you are the parent of minor children, you should think about who will care for them if something should happen to you before they become adults. No one wants to think of someone else taking care of their children, but it is a necessary part of planning. If you have children, you also need to consider an estate plan that addresses how your money would be distributed to your children: How old should they be when they any inheritance? If you don’t think about these things, the Massachusetts probate courts may make these decisions for you. Although they will make every effort to make the decision with the best interest of the child in mind, they may not endorse the same people that you would in selecting a guardian or trustee for their funds.

Elder Planning:

Our elder law attorneys are able to help you plan for the future, when a member of your family is failing in either physical or mental health to help make this difficult time less trying, by explaining what steps need to be taken before a family member is no longer able to care for themselves. Our attorneys will help you if your family member is no longer competent in legally taking care of that person.

A Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy are important parts of any estate or elder care plan. In these two documents you name a person (and alternate if you wish) to make your general/financial and medical decisions for you DURING YOUR LIFETIME. In the Health Care Proxy, depending on your personal preference, you can also include "living will" provisions, which would state that you do NOT WANT artificial life support under certain circumstances. If you become incapacitated or disabled, having these documents in place will avoid the need to have someone go into Probate Court and become officially appointed as your "legal guardian".

Our elder law attornewys help clients with drafting basic wills and simple trusts. For more complex estates, we have a network of qualified Massachusetts estate attorneys and financial exerts we can send you to for assistance.

Elder Care, Abuse or Neglect:

Elderly family members can be vulnerable. Our elder care attorneys will help you prepare for the time when you may need assistance in making decisions, or taking care of yourself. A family member or friend taking on a caregiver’s role for an older person can be quite challenging and emotional. You may find yourself in a situation that you are unprepared for. We can assist you to ensure you are provided the best care by those who are trying to help you. We also can aid those providing help to their elder family members.

When there is an emergency involving elderly abuse, neglect or financial mismanagement, our attorneys can help you take immediate control of a loved one’s assets and treatment plan through a guardianship proceeding and, if necessary, nursing home placement. Attorney Maxa Berid has been General Counsel for Elder Services of Merrimack Valley for over ten years. Both Eric and Maxa has substantial experience obtaining protective orders for those Elders who have been abused, neglected, financially exploited or are otherwise at risk.

We understand the emotional complexities that accompany the process of caring for an elder and can assist our clients in taking the best steps to help their loved ones.

Contact the Lowell, MA elder law attorneys at Berid & Schutzbank for a confidential consultation about your Massachusetts elder law matter.