Understanding the MassHealth Five-Year Look Back
In Massachusetts, when a person enters a nursing home on a long-term basis, there are generally three ways to pay for their care: privately from their funds, from a combination of private funds and long-term care insurance, or by applying for Medicaid benefits (called MassHealth in Massachusetts). Nursing homes typically charge $12,000-$15,000 per month, so…
Why Don’t I Qualify for an Offer in Compromise?
When a new client with back taxes reaches out to me, inevitably the first question out of their mouth is whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is willing to compromise on the amount owed. In what almost certainly sounds like a lawyer’s answer, my response is always, “It depends.” That’s because it does depend on…
Who Needs An Estate Plan?
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is to hope for the best, but plan for the worst. This also holds true when it comes to estate planning. While most people plan to live a long, healthy life, it is important to have certain legal documents in place in the event that you fall ill…
Fletcher Tilton earns “Best Law Firm” Designation Again for 2021
The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, and review of additional information provided by law firms.
Estate Planning After Divorce
For most people, the finalization of a divorce feels like an ending. But it is also a new beginning. Don’t let your old and outdated estate planning documents control your new life. They may tie you to a past you have left behind—in ways you never intended or wanted. If you do not already have…
Massachusetts Estate Tax Versus the Capital Gains Tax (To Gift or Not To Gift)
Both the federal and Massachusetts estate taxes are based on the value of a person’s assets on his or her date of death. Both taxes provide an unlimited marital deduction, which means that all assets passing to a surviving spouse are not subject to the estate tax. Under the federal estate tax, each person also…
DDS Application and Appeals Process: Getting to Eligibility
The parents and guardians of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities face numerous challenges, not the least of which is navigating the process of obtaining support services from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). This article provides a brief summary of the steps in that process and some suggested tips that can enhance your chances…
Fletcher Tilton SuperLawyers® 2020
We are pleased to announce the 2020 SuperLawyers® selections have been published and include five of our attorneys. For this designation, attorneys are nominated by their peers, evaluated by third-party research across 12 key categories, and reviewed by a highly credentialed Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys. Richard C. Barry has been designated as a SuperLawyer for the 16th year in a…