Elder and Estate Law Blog

MCLE Seminar: Mechanics of E-Filing in the Probate Court Tips to help you get your cases accepted for filing on the first tryDid you know that you have a secret weapon when it comes to probating estates? It is filing your probate cases, whether they be formal,...

MCLE Seminar: Conducting an Asset Protection Audit​ ~ July 6, 2022 Understand the considerations and questions to ask at all stages of the estate planning processIt is critical to know what assets our clients have at all stages of the estate planning process. At the...

Thursday, March 24, 2022
5:30 PM – Reception – 6:00 PM – Dinner Meeting
Karen Johnson will be one of the panel speakers for this meeting.

Did you know that you have a secret weapon when it comes to probating estates? It is filing your probate cases, whether they be formal, informal, or voluntary—using the Probate Court’s e-filing process.
Karen Johnson will be presenting this seminar on April 6, 2022.

Both Massachusetts and our neighbor to the north, New Hampshire, allow trusts to be directed by persons other than the trustee. This can include a Trust Protector or Special Trustee, or can divide actions amongst trustees. Under the right circumstances, this can be beneficial when it is desirable for the trustee to have supervision, or when different trustees will perform different tasks. It can also be a logistical nightmare if the needs are not well matched to the trust’s provisions.

Karen Johnson will be presenting this seminar on February 23, 2021.

Listening is one of the most important tools you can have as a lawyer, but are you hearing what your clients are telling you? What are your clients really saying they need? Learn how to improve your listening skills and better meet your clients’ needs by truly understanding what they are trying to tell you.

Shani Rea Collymore will be presenting this seminar on February 4, 2021.

Creating an effective Medicaid trust requires not only a deep understanding of trust law, but also of estate and tax planning. You must know how to draft trust terms that will get approved—not always easy when it seems unclear what the state will—and will not—allow. Using the right language and key terms is vital—and more challenging than ever.

Karen Johnson will be co-presenting this seminar on December 8, 2020.

We are proud to announce that Karen Johnson received the 2020 Deborah Thomson award for legislative advocacy from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Attorney Johnson was also recognized by Boston Magazine as a Super Lawyer in 2020.

Decanting is the act of pouring assets from one trust to another, leaving behind the unwanted terms of the original trust. Decanting is a powerful tool, but should only be done after careful consideration.

Do you have a loved on residing in a nursing home or assisted living residence during the COVID-19 crisis? Are you unsure what you should do to keep your loved one safe?