Estate & Elder Law Advisory, PLLC

Estate & Elder Law Advisory, PLLC Estate Planning and Elder Law Advisory Law Firm

Estate Planning
Elder Law
Business Planning
Tax
Irrevocable Trusts
Wills
Medicaid Planning
Estate Administration
Probate
SSDI/SSI/VA Benefits
Guardianships
Real Estate

You signed a will years ago. Then you remarried. Does that old will still control what your family receives?Massachusett...
09/01/2026

You signed a will years ago. Then you remarried. Does that old will still control what your family receives?

Massachusetts changed this rule in 2012. Before then, marriage canceled an old will automatically. Today that will survives, and your spouse receives a share set by state law instead.

A default share says nothing about who you chose as personal representative, how your retirement account beneficiaries read, or whether a trust should protect children from a first marriage. Looking at those together can help families in Sharon, Brighton, Wellesley, and Cape Cod reduce confusion and keep control.

In our latest article, Estate & Elder Law Advisory explains why a will never expires, what the 2012 change means for second marriages, and how divorce is treated differently.

Read the full guide: https://estatelawadvisory.com/does-a-will-expire-what-massachusetts-families-get-wrong-about-an-old-will/

Have you ever wondered who can read your will after you are gone? In Massachusetts, the answer surprises most families.O...
08/24/2026

Have you ever wondered who can read your will after you are gone? In Massachusetts, the answer surprises most families.

Once a will is filed with the Probate and Family Court, it becomes a public record. Court dockets can be searched online by name, and many documents filed since 2009 can be viewed from home.

There are ways to keep more of it private. A properly funded living trust is not filed with the court. Assets that pass by beneficiary designation stay off the record too. And in Massachusetts, the estate inventory does not always have to be filed at all.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains what a probate file actually shows and which details usually stay private.

Read the full guide: https://estatelawadvisory.com/are-wills-public-record-in-massachusetts-what-becomes-visible-and-how-to-keep-it-private/

What if a gift you made a few years ago decided whether MassHealth helps pay for your mother's care?Health changes rarel...
08/17/2026

What if a gift you made a few years ago decided whether MassHealth helps pay for your mother's care?

Health changes rarely give notice. One fall can turn long-term care into an urgent question, and by then the best options are often gone.

MassHealth reviews the five years before an application is filed, so timing matters. An irrevocable trust, protections for married couples, and careful decisions about the family home can help you keep more of what you have built.

In our latest article, Estate & Elder Law Advisory explains how the five-year look-back works and what your family can do before care is needed.

Learn more and request a consultation: https://estatelawadvisory.com/how-the-masshealth-five-year-look-back-decides-what-your-family-keeps/

Have you married, retired, bought a home, or welcomed a new family member since creating your estate plan? Those changes...
08/12/2026

Have you married, retired, bought a home, or welcomed a new family member since creating your estate plan? Those changes may affect whether your documents still reflect your wishes.

A review may include your will, trust, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and healthcare documents. An estate planning attorney in Brighton can help identify updates that may reduce confusion and better protect your family.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains six life events that may signal it is time to review your plan.

Read the full guide: https://estatelawadvisory.com/6-life-events-that-mean-its-time-to-update-your-estate-planmeta-titleestate-planning-attorney-brighton-estate-elder-law/

What happens to your Cape Cod home if something happens to you? A trust may help, but it does not solve every planning i...
08/10/2026

What happens to your Cape Cod home if something happens to you? A trust may help, but it does not solve every planning issue.

For many families, the home is one of the largest assets in the estate. Knowing how revocable and irrevocable trusts work can help you avoid confusion later.

A trust may help your home avoid probate and make things easier for your loved ones. It does not automatically reduce taxes or protect assets. If you are looking for trust lawyers Cape Cod, understanding your options matters.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains what a trust can and cannot do for your Cape Cod home.

Read the full guide: https://estatelawadvisory.com/what-putting-your-cape-cod-home-in-a-trust-actually-does/

Wondering how future nursing home costs could affect what you pass on to your family?MassHealth planning follows strict ...
08/04/2026

Wondering how future nursing home costs could affect what you pass on to your family?

MassHealth planning follows strict timing rules, including a 60-month look-back period. Starting the conversation early usually means more options on the table.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory, PLLC explains how a Medicaid Irrevocable Income Only Trust (MIIOT) may help, and when to speak with an asset protection attorney Wellesley families can consult.

Read the full guide: https://estatelawadvisory.com/how-a-masshealth-asset-protection-trust-works-in-massachusetts/

Probate can take longer than families expect, especially when grief, deadlines, and unanswered questions are all happeni...
07/29/2026

Probate can take longer than families expect, especially when grief, deadlines, and unanswered questions are all happening at once.

In Massachusetts, court steps, creditor claims, taxes, and estate expenses can slow the process. Planning ahead may help reduce stress later.

A current estate plan, clear asset records, the right Personal Representative, and tools like trusts or beneficiary designations can make things easier for your family.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains why probate takes time and what you can do to prepare.

Read the full guide: https://estatelawadvisory.com/why-probate-takes-longer-than-most-families-expect-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/

Settling a loved one’s estate? You may need to file a Massachusetts estate tax return, even when the next step is not ob...
07/06/2026

Settling a loved one’s estate? You may need to file a Massachusetts estate tax return, even when the next step is not obvious.

This often comes up during probate, when families are already handling paperwork, asset values, and deadlines. Missing a filing issue can create delays.

Estate tax returns may affect trust administration, beneficiary distributions, and future tax planning. An estate probate attorney Cape Cod families rely on can help clarify what needs attention.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains when a Massachusetts estate tax return may be required, who may need to file, and how trusts can affect the process.

Read the full guide:
https://estatelawadvisory.com/when-is-a-massachusetts-estate-tax-return-required-and-who-has-to-file-it/

Have you been asked to serve as an executor for a family member’s estate? Many people accept the role without realizing ...
06/26/2026

Have you been asked to serve as an executor for a family member’s estate? Many people accept the role without realizing how much responsibility comes with it.

After a loved one passes away, executors are often responsible for handling court filings, locating assets, paying debts, and communicating with beneficiaries.

Understanding these duties before a crisis occurs can help prevent delays and confusion.

A well-managed probate process can make things easier for everyone involved. Knowing what records to gather, how assets are handled, and when professional guidance may be needed can help you fulfill your responsibilities with confidence.

In our latest article, Estate and Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains what executors are actually responsible for during Massachusetts probate and what to expect along the way.

Read the full guide:
https://estatelawadvisory.com/the-executors-checklist-what-youre-actually-responsible-for-in-massachusetts-probate/

A loved one passes away. Does the estate always have to go through probate?In Massachusetts, the answer depends on the a...
06/26/2026

A loved one passes away. Does the estate always have to go through probate?

In Massachusetts, the answer depends on the assets and how they were owned. Some accounts and property can pass outside court.

Trusts, beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and payable-on-death accounts may help reduce delays and confusion. Families focused on avoiding probate Brighton may have more options than they think.

In our latest article, Estate & Elder Law Advisory PLLC explains when probate may be required and how planning can help.

Read the full guide:
https://estatelawadvisory.com/does-your-loved-ones-estate-have-to-go-through-probate-in-massachusetts/

Address

28 South Main Street
Sharon, MA
02067

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17818060206

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