Attorney Brenda M Rivard, PC

05/25/2025

12/18/2023

We have moved! Our new location is 9 Maple Street, Suite 5, West Boylston, MA. We have convenient handicap access and a parking lot right out front. We are right on Route 140. After 6 years of practicing on my own after Kathleen O'Connor's retirement, I have updated the name of the firm to Attorney Brenda M. Rivard, P.C. Our phone number is the same (508) 756-9229. We look forward to seeing you! Happy Holidays!

11/21/2023

PRICE AND QUALITY: If there is one common question that my office gets about having an estate plan prepared (Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney, etc.) is "how much does it cost?" Everyone's plan is different based upon their family situation, goals (estate tax planning, protecting assets, special needs, etc.) so my staff cannot quote you a fee on the phone, but you will know the exact fee at the end of our consultation meeting once we determine your goals and I make my recommendations. All of my fees are flat fees for estate planning documents, so this means that everyone pays the same price per document regardless of the amount of assets that you own. Those fees include all of my recommendations in writing, with an explanation of your documents and how they work and the time for you to come in to sign all of the formal copies of the documents.

I have seen too many clients lately that ask me to review their current plans which were prepared by other attorneys and I find that the plans do not accomplish their goals and were "sold" to them. Be weary of seminars or presentations that try to push you into trusts or a certain type of plan without first having an in-depth consultation. You will end up paying thousands of dollars for documents that do not address your particular situation. If you want quality, then do your research and determine how long the attorney has been an estate planning or elder law attorney and make sure that the focus of the attorney's practice is on that area of law. Seek out recommendations from other trusted friends, professionals or others.

01/20/2023

Irrevocable Trusts to Protect Assets: Do they really work? Call for a planning meeting to find out why they are not without risks! (508) 756-9229

01/09/2023

TAKE NOTE: A NEW LAW IS PLANNED FOR JUNE 1, 2023 THAT WOULD PREVENT INDIVIDUALS AGED 65 OR OVER FROM FUNDING A POOLED TRUST TO PROTECT THEIR ASSETS! If you or a friend or family member are in a nursing home or will be needing nursing home care soon, call me now to schedule a planning meeting before this law changes! (508) 756-9229 or [email protected]

01/06/2023

LEGAL ISSUE OF THE WEEK: Client who thought he gifted by deed a remainder interest in his house to his children to "protect it" and now wants it back. I cannot stress enough to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in estate planning and elder law for these types of transactions. The client gifted the property to protect it if he needs nursing home care, but because it was written incorrectly and a title exam was not performed, he owns more than a life estate. Furthermore, he had a falling out with one son and now client wants son's interest back. He did not realize that he cannot force his son to give it back. The result: House is not protected and client owns his home with children, one of whom he does not get along with. Seek experienced advice, not the cheapest advice. It will cost you more in the long run.

12/24/2022

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

12/09/2022

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
Client's daughter comes in with three different powers of attorney she prepared for her mother using a FREE online program. She had more than one because the bank would not accept the POAs and she kept trying to make free ones that would be accepted. Not only does the document not conform to MA law, it doesn't have the correct powers needed in it! Don't be fooled by the word free, you get what you pay for. In this case, it was a useless document. I am an estate planning attorney with years of knowledge and experience, don't rely on a free software program that gives you useless documents. I can save you THOUSANDS of dollars by preparing documents that will keep you out of court!

11/11/2022

Thank you to all of our Veterans and their families for their sacrifices.

11/04/2022

Do you know that a Living Will is not the same as a Last Will and Testament? In fact, a living will relates only to wishes regarding health care and is NOT a legally recognized document in MA. It does not distribute your estate at death. Don’t use “free” online documents and make this mistake. Call me to to have a proper estate plan drafted to take care of YOUR needs and goals that is legal in MA!