- GuardianshipThere are times when a circumstances with an aging parent or incapacitated family member become difficult, and it may be to everyone's benefit to set up a legal Guardianship or Conservatorship that will allow the family to make decisions concerning the care and safety of a loved one. We work hard to help families avoid circumstances where a guardianship or conservatorship is needed, but when it is unavoidable, we help our clients through the process, to achieve the best outcome for all.
- Estate PlanningCum laude graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. After graduating from law school, she worked with the Boston law firms of Morrison, Mahoney and Miller, Campbell and Associates and Niarchos and Toto. In 1999, Attorney Shapiro founded Shapiro Elder Law and Estate Planning in Lexington, Massachusetts, with her father, Jerry Friedman.
- WillsWe make sure you have all of the documents you need, but want to be certain our clients understand what they need, and what they don’t need. Most importantly, we assure that the documents you choose to have meet your wishes. We discuss with our clients Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies and Living Wills, and help you decide what will work best for you.
- TrustsA Supplemental Needs Trust, also called Special Needs Trust, is a special type of trust that is designed specifically to permit a disabled individual to have access to assets to improve their life while still qualifying for certain asset-based government benefits. There are several types of Supplemental or Special needs trusts, but each holds funds for the benefit of the disabled individual, who has no actual access or control over the funds. The trustee, the person in charge of the trust, has the discretion to use the funds for the benefit of the disabled individual. He or she may use the funds for any purpose as long as it is not for a purpose that the governmental funds are designed to provide. For example, a trustee may not use the funds in the trust to pay for a doctor appointment, but he or she may use it to pay any co-pay that is not covered by the benefits received by the disabled individual. The trustee may also use the funds to pay for transportation, vacation, education or other things that are not ordinarily covered by the governmental benefits the disabled individual receives.
- Power of AttorneyIn the difficult — but all too common - situation where a loved one becomes incapacitated, it is absolutely crucial for a trusted family member or friend to have the legal status to help with financial matters. A Durable Power of Attorney is one of the most important documents you can have to avoid having to involve the courts your affairs. In many cases, Powers of Attorney drafted by non-elder law attorneys do not contain the language necessary to maximize opportunities for asset protection in the event you need long-term care. Our clients can feel confident that in the event they become incapacitated, whether temporarily or permanently, the person they have chosen to act on their behalf has the proper authority to help them through this difficult time.
- Probate