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Five Ways to Maintain Your Independence As You Age

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By Attorney Maria C. Baler

July 4th is Independence Day, a day Americans celebrate our country’s independence from Great Britain marked by the date in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress. Independence was important to the new colonies because it represented freedom from being subject to the laws and taxes of a country an ocean away. This is such an important day for our nation that it continues to be celebrated almost 250 years after the event took place.

Individuals value their independence too. As my clients get older, one thing I hear consistently from them is their desire to continue to make decisions for themselves, live where they want to live, receive needed care in a setting they choose, and choose the people who provide assistance to them if needed. Here are five ways to maintain your independence as you age.

1. Have Appropriate Legal Documents in Place

The legal documents that will allow you to maintain your independence during your lifetime are those that allow you to name people you choose to assist you with legal, financial and health care decision-making at such time as you need that assistance.

These documents include a power of attorney, which names a trusted person to make legal and financial decisions for you, and a funded revocable trust that allows a successor Trustee whom you choose to step in and manage trust assets for your benefit. These documents will be important if you become ill and are unable to pay your bills, including payment for care you may need in the setting you have chosen. Creating a power of attorney and funded revocable trust while you are well will ensure that there will be no obstacles for trusted people to obtain access to funds to pay for your care, even if you are unable to act.

Equally important is a health care proxy that names a person you choose to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself. A well- drafted health care proxy will also give your health care agent the ability to choose where you will be cared for and to move you from one care setting to another.

Without these documents, a Court will appoint someone chosen by the Court, and not by you, to serve as your guardian to make health care decisions for you and your conservator to manage your assets.

2. Create a Life Plan and a Team to Implement It

Just as important as creating appropriate legal documents is to have a team in place that will help implement your wishes and carry out your instructions when the time comes. As you get older, make sure you have trusted advisors such as an estate planning attorney, an accountant, and a financial advisor who are all familiar with your personal and financial situation and your wishes, and who can assist your appointed decision-makers if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.

Explore potential care settings with your advisors and the cost of care and determine what care options may be best for you, and how that care will be paid for if necessary.

Make your wishes known to your team and your appointed decision-makers. This can be as formal as a written care plan, or as informal as conversations with these people to make your wishes clear and ensure they understand you are counting on them to carry them out.

3. Enlist Care Managers if Needed

A life care manager, sometimes called a geriatric care manager, is a person who is hired to assist you or your family to create an appropriate plan for care. Care managers are especially important and effective for people who may want to remain and be cared for in their home. This type of care requires a lot of coordination, communication and problem solving. This can be difficult for family members who may live at a distance or who may not have the time to take on this responsibility.

A care manager can take the burden of arranging and supervising care off of your family, take the time to understand the type of care you want, and implement those wishes. Care managers may also accompany you to doctor’s appointments or emergency room visits, communicate regularly with family members at a distance, and coordinate and advise loved ones regarding your care needs.

4. Build a Supportive Community Around You

Maintaining your independence requires more than legal and financial considerations. In addition to trusted decision-makers and care managers, maintain relationships with friends and family members you enjoy being around as you age. Spending time with people you enjoy prevents isolation, loneliness and depression which negatively affects your health. Having these folks around when you want and need their support starts by building and keeping those relationships as you age.

5. Make Sure Your Home Is An Ally In Your Fight for Independence

Many of us have lived in our homes for many, many years, and want to remain there to live out our lives. But many homes are not well-suited to aging in place – they have long flights of stairs inside or outside the home, they have narrow doorways that don’t accommodate a wheelchair, they have bathrooms that may be small and hard to maneuver around with a walker and lack grab bars and other things that make it easier for someone with mobility issues to navigate safely.

Before you encounter mobility issues, take an objective look at your home and think about what changes would need to be made to make your home more accessible. Is it possible to enlarge the doorways or the bathroom? Do you have a bathroom on the first floor of the home? Do you have a bedroom on the first floor, or could a first-floor room be converted into a bedroom if necessary? Can your stairway accommodate a chair lift? Are you able to get in and out of your home to a car safely?

If your home is not one that is easily or cost-effectively adaptable to aging in place, consider a move to a home in which you can age in place comfortably and affordably. And make such a move before living in your home becomes an obstacle to your independence and your ability to remain there.

On this Independence Day, consider your wishes for your own independence as you age, and take steps now to make it a reality. Although your independence may not be celebrated with a parade and fireworks, you will certainly celebrate the fact that you are able to carry on as you age as you choose, with assistance from trusted advisors and in your chosen location.

Maria C. Baler, Esq. is an estate planning and elder law attorney and partner at Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, a law firm based in Dedham. She is also a former director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA), and the former President of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys. For more information, visit www.ssbllc.com or call (781) 461-1020. This article is not intended to provide legal advice or create or imply an attorney-client relationship. No information contained herein is a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney.

July 2024
© 2024 Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC

Talking to Your Parents about Estate Planning

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With Father’s Day just a few days away, now is the perfect time to initiate a meaningful conversation with your parents about estate planning, blending the celebration of your parents’ legacy with the practical steps needed to preserve it. Despite its importance, only 33% of people in the United States have executed some form of legal estate plan. The sensitive nature of the topic causes many people to kick the can down the road, intending to deal with it later, which is a problem when “later” becomes “too late.” Are your parents included in the overwhelming majority of people who have pushed off this essential legal planning?

Contrary to popular belief, estate planning is not just about distributing assets after a person’s death. Some documents, like a Health Care Proxy and Durable Power of Attorney, actually work during the person’s lifetime so that loved ones have the authority to take care of the person while he or she is living but incapacitated. With aging parents, these documents are just as important as post-death documents like Wills and Trusts. More significantly, estate planning is about ensuring that your parents’ wishes are respected and that their legacies are preserved in a way that reflects their values and intentions.

Initiating this important conversation with your parents may be daunting, so follow these steps to make the discussion a little easier:

Start the discussion by framing it within the context of Father’s Day, emphasizing your desire to honor your parents’ legacy and ensure that their contributions are remembered and cherished. If you feel comfortable, you can briefly discuss key documents such as Wills, which outline the distribution of assets, and Trusts, which can reduce estate taxes and avoid the probate process. You should also highlight the importance of incapacity documents like a Health Care Proxy, HIPAA Authorization, and Durable Power of Attorney. These documents will make it easier on your family if your parents’ capacity is diminished to the point that they cannot make their own medical or financial decisions. Incapacity documents are a safeguard against a long, expensive court process to obtain a guardianship and/or conservatorship that can occur when your parents do not plan ahead.

It’s important to remember that you won’t have all the answers – and you’re not supposed to. That’s our job. Encourage your parents to set up a meeting with an estate planning attorney who can discuss their needs in more detail, give them information about the documents appropriate to their situation, and answer any questions they may have. Father’s Day can be the first of many conversations that ensure your parents’ estate planning remains current and effective. By simply starting the conversation, you’re taking the first step in giving your parents the gift of peace of mind, knowing that their legacy will be honored and their wishes respected, all while strengthening your family’s future security.

Attorney Leah A. Kofos is an associate attorney with the Dedham firm of Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, which focuses on advising its clients in the areas of trust and estate planning, estate settlement, and elder law matters. This article is not intended to provide legal advice or create or imply an attorney-client relationship. No information contained herein is a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. For more information visit ssbllc.com or call 781-461-1020.

© 2024 Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC

 

From Summer Fling to Forever: 5 Estate Planning Considerations for Couples

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Summer is approaching. The warm air, the sunshine boosting our serotonin, and those summer nights spark summer romance which can be just a fling, or it can be the start of a deep, transformative relationship. June also marks the beginning of wedding season and, of course, Pride Month, where we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and all forms of love.

Whether you are married or not, estate planning is critical in providing for your special someone when you are gone. It is also important to plan for your incapacity to ensure that your partner can take care of you and your well-being. Here are 5 things every couple should consider when planning their forever.

1.Don’t assume that everything will go to your spouse or significant other at your death.

A lot of couples assume that when one of them dies, all of their property goes to their spouse or significant other. Sometimes this is true, and sometimes it isn’t.

If you don’t have a Will, the intestate laws of Massachusetts will determine who will inherit your estate. If you are married and all of your children are children of the marriage, then your estate will pass to your spouse. But if either you or your spouse have children from another relationship, then your spouse will only receive the first $100,000 plus 50% of the remaining estate.

If you are married and don’t have children, and you have at least one surviving parent, then your estate will be divided between your spouse and your parent(s). Also, if you are not married to your partner, regardless of how long you have been together, your partner does not automatically inherit your estate. Don’t put off creating an estate plan on the assumption that everything will pass to your spouse or partner anyway, because that may not always be the case.

2.Don’t assume that your spouse or significant other will be able to do everything for you if something happens to you.

Planning for you and your partner’s incapacity is just as important as planning for after your death. If you become incapacitated, your medical provider will typically look to your next of kin to make healthcare decisions on your behalf. Unfortunately, if you are not married to your partner, your partner is not considered your next of kin, so they won’t be able to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, when your partner is probably the one person who best knows your wishes. Executing a Health Care Proxy can fix this issue by designating your partner as your healthcare agent to make decisions for you should you become incapacitated.

This issue also arises with handling your finances. Without a Power of Attorney, your partner will not have the authority to act on your behalf with your finances if you become disabled or incapacitated. This is especially important when you rely on both of your incomes to maintain your household and pay expenses.

3.Strategies to reduce estate tax liability.

Married couples can utilize different estate planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities after their deaths and maximize the inheritance for their beneficiaries.

Property passing to a U.S. citizen spouse at the death of the first spouse passes free of federal and Massachusetts estate tax, regardless of the amount. The federal estate tax exemption is the amount that each person is permitted to pass on free of any federal estate tax, which is currently $13.61 million per person for 2024. This translates into $27.22 million for a married couple.

Massachusetts has its own estate tax system, and the exemption is $2 million per person; but, it is a “use it or lose it” exemption, meaning that if a married couple has a $4 million estate and they own all of their assets jointly or have each other named as beneficiary, when the second, surviving spouse dies with a $4 million estate, there will be Massachusetts estate tax of $180,800 due. If you “use” the $2 million exemption on the first spouse’s death through a credit shelter trust, you could reduce or even eliminate the Massachusetts estate tax liability when the second spouse dies.

Couples should be aware of these thresholds and talk to an estate planning attorney about estate planning strategies such as gifting or setting up trusts to minimize their tax liability.

4.Advanced planning for long-term care (nursing home) costs.

If you and your spouse have the gift of time, then you need to think about how you will pay for long-term care costs in the future. Long-term care planning involves preparing for the potential need for nursing home care. Although long-term care is primarily associated with older adults, it can be necessary for anyone with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or injuries that limit their ability to perform daily activities. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of Americans aged 65 and over can expect to use some form of long-term care during their remaining years.

There are different estate planning strategies that married couples can use to ease the cost of long-term care and preserve assets in the event they need to apply for Medicaid.

Growing old together also means planning on taking care of each other financially if one of you needs care.

5.Don’t be scared to discuss a prenuptial agreement.

Before you say “I do”, consider a prenuptial agreement to protect your assets in the event of divorce. Many couples don’t want to talk about a prenuptial agreement because no one wants to talk about divorce before you’re even married. But you can protect your wealth, your family business, and even children from a prior marriage from losing out on an inheritance by entering into a prenuptial agreement. Consider a prenuptial agreement if your assets or circumstances are such that you want added assurance that no matter how matters of the heart may go, your assets and your children will be protected.

Knowing these aspects of estate planning can help couples protect their assets, ensure their wishes are carried out, and provide for their loved ones. There is nothing more romantic than presenting a well-thought-out estate plan to your partner (said the estate planning attorney).

 

Attorney Brittany Hinojosa Citron is an associate attorney with Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, which focuses on advising its clients in the areas of trust and estate planning, estate settlement, and elder law matters. This article is not intended to provide legal advice or create or imply an attorney-client relationship. No information contained herein is a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. For more information, visit ssbllc.com or call 781-461-1020.

June 2024
© 2024 Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC

 

Navigating the Necessary: Critical First-Year Decisions After Losing a Loved One

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When we lose a loved one, it is common to hear the advice that we should not make any major decisions for at least one year following the loved one’s death. The idea behind this adage is that grief can cloud our judgment, and we may not be in the best frame of mind to make significant life changes or choices that could have long-term consequences. While this advice is well-intentioned and can be applicable in some situations, it is not always feasible, especially when it comes to handling the various financial and legal matters that arise in the wake of someone’s passing.

In reality, several critical decisions and tasks must be accomplished within the first year after death. For example, estate tax returns and final personal income taxes need to be filed with the Department of Revenue in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Internal Revenue Service. In particular, if an estate tax return is required, it typically must be filed within nine (9) months of the deceased’s date of death, although the deadline may be extended by six (6) months, if necessary. Failing to take action within the required timeframes can result in costly penalties.

Given the importance of these first-year responsibilities, it is essential to think carefully about who you name as a fiduciary in your estate planning documents. When you are choosing a Personal Representative or Trustee, name a person you trust implicitly and who is responsible and capable of making difficult decisions under pressure. They should also be willing and able to take on the significant responsibilities that come with the role, especially during that challenging first year. By selecting a fiduciary who is up to the task, you will ensure that your loved ones are protected and that your final wishes are carried out as smoothly as possible, even in the face of grief and loss.

At Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, a knowledgeable attorney will guide you through the selection of an appropriate fiduciary to appoint so that you may rest assured that those important (tax) responsibilities will be addressed in a timely manner after your passing.

© 2024 Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC

5 Things your Mom would Tell you if your Mom was an Estate Planning Attorney

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It being May, our thoughts are on longer days, warmer weather, graduations, and Mother’s Day. Being a mom myself, I can say with certainty that while I loved the gifts my children gave me for Mother’s Day, especially the hand-made ones when they were little, nothing warms a mother’s heart more than hearing her children say, “I followed your advice Mom and you were right.” (I think I can hear the mothers out there both agreeing and laughing hysterically…)

Read on for 5 Things your mom would tell you if your mom was an estate planning attorney.

1. Just Do It. Not to infringe on Nike, but if you’re an adult and you don’t yet have an estate plan, just do it. A basic ‘don’t leave home without it’ estate plan consists of a Will, Power of Attorney and Health Care documents. A Revocable Living Trust is an estate planning tool which can address many goals that people have when creating an estate plan such as probate avoidance, management of assets for young or disabled beneficiaries, and creditor protection for inherited assets left to children or other beneficiaries.

2. Get organized. This is the estate plan equivalent of ‘clean your room’ – something your mom may have said to you once or twice. But seriously, I often say to my clients that the best gift they can give to their families is to keep their records organized and updated. Would your family know what bills need to be paid and how to access the funds to pay them if you were incapacitated or at your death? Would they be able to easily discover what financial accounts you have? For many people their financial information is now available only via online access, and therefore they do not receive monthly statements in the mail. This can be a real problem if you have not prepared a list of your accounts (and, at the risk of horrifying IT people everywhere, your user names and passwords to access those online accounts) and made this information available to at least one trusted person. Consider what someone would need to figure out what you own and how to access it and prepare a road map.

3. Check your Beneficiary Designations. Many assets, such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death bank accounts, pass directly to beneficiaries when the owner passes away. It is crucial to review and update beneficiary designations regularly to ensure they align with your overall estate plan. Failing to designate beneficiaries or keeping outdated designations can lead to unintended consequences, such as assets passing to ex-spouses or deceased individuals. It can also have serious negative tax consequences when it comes to qualified retirement accounts. Reviewing your beneficiary designations on a regular basis is also important. When financial advisors change companies, the beneficiary designations that were set on the IRAs with the old company do not carry over to the new company. The fairly simple task of making sure the beneficiary designations are current will go a long way to ensuring a smooth, probate-free, and tax efficient transition of these assets at your death.

4. Make Sure Someone’s Watching the Children (Mom’s Grandchildren). For those who have minor (under age 18) children, it is vital to create a Will to name one or more people as the legal guardians for those minor children. The legal guardian of a minor child is the person who will have physical custody of the child and decide where child will reside, where the child will go to school, and oversee their religious education. The legal guardian is also the person who will have the authority to make medical decisions and have access to school records. However, naming someone in your Will as the guardian for your minor child does not confer the legal status of guardian; only a court can appoint a legal guardian. The naming of a guardian by parents in their Wills is an expression of their wishes which the court will honor (unless there is a valid objection raised but that’s a topic for a different day) but the process takes time. Because of that delay, parents should also sign a document appointing a temporary guardian for their minor children. Massachusetts has a statute that permits parents to appoint a temporary (for 60 days) guardian for their minor or disabled children. This allows time for the court to act to appoint the permanent legal guardian. The appointment of the temporary guardian does not require the involvement of the court.

5. Save Taxes if you can. When estate planning attorneys talk about taxes, we are usually referring to estate taxes. The estate tax is a transfer tax imposed on the value of assets transferred to beneficiaries when someone dies. There is both a federal and a Massachusetts estate tax. For both federal and Massachusetts purposes, assets that pass to a surviving spouse pass free of any estate tax regardless of the value of the assets. For assets passing to a person other than a surviving spouse, there is estate tax payable if the value of the estate exceeds the allowable exemption amount. In 2024, the federal estate tax exemption is $13.61 million and $2 million in Massachusetts. If your estate is at or above those levels, consult with an experienced estate planning attorney about planning to reduce estate taxes.

Creating and maintaining a comprehensive, up-to-date estate plan is a gift to your family that they will truly appreciate. If you don’t have an estate plan, or if it’s been more than five years since you’ve reviewed your existing plan, call us or email us to schedule an appointment with one of our estate planning attorneys. And Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there!

Attorney Suzanne R. Sayward is a partner with the Dedham law firm of Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC which focuses on advising its clients in the areas of estate planning, estate settlement and elder law matters. She is certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, a private organization whose standards for certification are not regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This article is not intended to provide legal advice or create or imply an attorney-client relationship. No information contained herein is a substitute for a personal consultation with an attorney. For more information visit our website at www.ssbllc.com or call 781/461-1020.

May, 2024
© 2024 Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC

What’s New at Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC – Don’t Miss Our Spring 2024 Newsletter

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Attorney Maria Baler discusses our Spring Newsletter, for our Smart Counsel for Lunch Series. Please watch and if you have any questions or want to learn more please call us at 781 461-1020.

Wills • Trusts • Elder Law • Long-Term Care Planning • Estates

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