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Massachusetts Elder Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I was granted guardianship of my 67yo mom who's mentally ill and is an alcoholic.Can I mandate her to go to a 90day prog

The judge did not mandate placement in a long term care facility. She continues to relapse and put her safety at risk and our next court date is not until January 2021. The medical certificate said that she is incapacitated but now an independent medical evaluation was ordered. Can I mandate that... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Oct 22, 2020

If your order does not give you the ability to place her in a facility then you will need to file and serve an appropriate Motion with Affidavit seeking such.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Does a durable POA need to be registered with the county in MA? My FIL was just diagnosed with mid-stage dementia.

My husband is Durable POA, we need to get my FIL into more suitable housing (without stairs) and found a place, and plan to use a HELOC on his current residence (free and clear) to finance about 25% of the purchase. Then once he’s transitioned we will sell the current residence which will... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 19, 2020

Your question was very confusing but you seem to be asking how to determine if the power of attorney instrument was recorded in the Registry of Deeds? If so, there is a public records check system on line through the Secretary of State's Office. If the document was not recorded it can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: My mother died in a nursing home in RI, her mailing address was mine in MA- she had less than $5000-where is probate?
Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jun 15, 2020

What was the residence listed on the death certificate? Before she was in the nursing home was she living in RI?

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can a sibling stop you from seeing your parent with dementia? parent living in siblings house out of state.

parent living in siblings house , sibling changed house phone to unlisted does not answer cell . Was renting rooms in house. Have no way of contacting parent. I called senior services who is starting home care but they won’t return calls to give updates. So am I supposed to guess that my parent... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jan 3, 2020

You may want to engage counsel in the jurisdiction where the parent is located to see what proceedings you may be able to bring forward at this juncture if Elder Services is not taking action.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: If someone becomes the conservator for an elderly person and puts her in a nursing home, does the elderly person have

any rights?

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Nov 25, 2019

If the Probate Court has determined that the individual needs a Conservator, then there should be a Medical Certificate indicating the need for same and there would have been a legal proceeding unless the disabled person consented to the appointment of a Conservator. A Guardian makes determinations... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Elder Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Massachusetts on
Q: in MA an offer was placed on my property on 8/9/19 we are now well passed the 45 days agreed upon for closing.

Closing was set for tomorrow 10/16/19. i have done repairs and updates to the lawful expectations of the original inspection in a timely manner by my agents father who i paid for his services. My real estate agent has not been forthcoming about many items through this process. A week ago the buyers... View More

Christopher Tolley
Christopher Tolley
answered on Oct 15, 2019

I strongly suggest you contact a lawyer to represent your interests as soon as possible. The agent/broker is supposed to be working for you, the seller, and no one else. Most P&S agreements state the buyer is prohibited from entering the premises and/or doing work n the premises with the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: My parents reside in Tennessee and my father passed away a few months ago. My mom started to work with a lawyer...

I live in the Northeast and have struggled to ensure that she is handling financial matters without issue. We had tremendous difficulty understanding what my father had set up financially. Took a while to find the will also. She started working with a lawyer to update her will that had not been... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Sep 18, 2019

Do you have agency under the power of attorney? - if so then you can act on her behalf id you have possession of same. Otherwise you will need a Tennessee attorney who specializes in conservatorships to have yourself appointed as such or at least to advise you on what your options are.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: Do I have any legal recourse for the filing of a Last Will and Testament for my Dads estate? Please see my explanation?

Hello...My dad in Everett, Ma passed away in October 2014...and buried on the 14th of October. My brother who lived with my dad made no effort to contact any family members. I found out via email from a friend...My brother wouldn't take my call's & refused to speak to our uncle, my... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on May 28, 2019

If father died in 2014 then you would if there are assets over $25,000 involved, need to file a Late Petition to probate the Will and you should do so as soon as possible since you apparently have the original Will. Are you the first named "executor"? If so, you have priority. You should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law, Health Care Law and Social Security for Massachusetts on
Q: How will equity from sale of a house affect govt asst. programs like ssdi, medicare, masshealth, food stamps, housing?

Yes I am disabled, on hemodialysis, and get palliative care services. My house will be closing on Wednesday. I will be getting about $150,000 (that's the gain). What federal/state assistance programs will be affected by this gain of money? Is there any legal way around it or to avoid losing... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on May 21, 2019

You have not stated whether you are disabled . If so, there is a special needs trust you can explore.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Annuity

my mother-in-law has an annuity that the state considers an asset. She's in assisted living. Is there a way to transfer her resources to protect some of this money

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Feb 5, 2019

The usual answer would be that it is too late to do so if she will be in need of nursing home care within 5 years These are MassHealth/Medicaid issues which have complexity and you should discuss the entire set of facts involved with an Elder law practitioner who specializes in that particular... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can assessment of damages hearing be brought by condominium assoiation under rule 55b2 if no default?

Condo Association was denied preliminary injunction for rules violation in hearing 11/ 9/16. In Summary Judgment Hearing 11/9/17 Count I re violation was denied but allowed Count II for assessment of damages hearing. They applied under rule 55(b)(2) with Issuance of Notice to Sell (per MGL c.254... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 9, 2019

One concern may be whether her assets are going to be the subject of a lien and collections efforts. Another concern would focus on her estate after she passes: would judgment creditors seek reimbursement at that time? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Living in a rest home with owner as payee, how many days does he have to give me my allowance and how much is allowance?

Yes Im on SS. And have signed over my checks , making owner my payee.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Nov 12, 2018

You can call the Social Security Administration with questions you may have regarding the institutional payee or use the internet if it is available to you.

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can my stepsister move her dad to her home in Florida and leave his wife of 30 years (my mom) alone and in Massachusett.

Stepdad recovering from mild stroke. My mom has Alzheimer’s. I have no resources to care for her. Stepsister wants her dad and cares nothing for my mom.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Oct 22, 2018

Does your step sister have her father's health care proxy ? If so, it is possible that by its terms she has such authority if he is unwell. If he is competent then he can make his own decisions, although potentially there is a gray area here where he has had a stroke unless he has expressed... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Nursing Home Abuse for Massachusetts on
Q: Caregiver for senior with dementia and diabetes suspected of abuse/neglect. Who to report to?

It's practically a known fact that the caregiver for my girlfriend's father (who is also my neighbor) has been negligent to the point of abuse. However there is no solid proof of this. Adult Protective Services asked him if he wanted them to begin an investigation. The man has dementia... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Aug 14, 2018

This sounds like neglect and you should contact the Elder services office again to report that you have this information.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: I applied to a ride share company and they ran a CORI on me. I failed for unresolved cases.

There were 4 cases for larceny by check back in 1978. How do I resolve this?

Stephen Neyman
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answered on May 3, 2018

Unresolved cases usually mean that you are in default and that the cases are still open. You will need to go into that court, remove the defaults and resolve the cases. I strongly advise you to have a lawyer with you. Cases that are that old are often difficult for the prosecution to prove.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Collections for Massachusetts on
Q: Parent received a large bill from the Rehab/nursing home she was in for a few months. Medicare paid their portion.

She was told she has to pay the balance. She has an annuity which is currently paying for the assisted living facility in Beverly. We believe when she runs out of money the assisted living will then go through medicaid for her monthly bills. Should we pay the rehab bill ($11K), try to negotiate... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Apr 5, 2018

Are you power of attorney for mother? Is mother competent at this point? If you are power of attorney for her you can try to negotiate with the rehab or you can set up a payment plan. Heep your records for the MassHealth Medicaid application.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Massachusetts on
Q: Can you force someone off the deed if an elderly person was taken advantage of?

We have this older person who has no family left in the US. Some time ago she sold her prior house and moved closer to people she knew while her husband was still alive in order for all of us to take better care of her. Her husband has since died and she is left with no family in the US.... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Feb 12, 2018

Is the elderly woman competent and cooperating with you and understanding that the "other woman"'s behavior was questionable? If so then she can hire counsel to seek to revoke the deed based upon the conduct of the "other woman" and should do so as soon as possible.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: mom died, no will. I am only heir lived in house in her name. How do I get the house in my name?

House was in my mother's name, she passed away. I have lived with her my entire life in this house, my father, her only spouse, passed in 92. I am the only child, there is no one else with interest in the home. Mom owed no money to anyone except monthly utilities, one of which is already in... View More

Kristi Burmeister
Kristi Burmeister
answered on Jan 27, 2018

Sorry to hear about your loss. You will likely need to go through probate to get the house titled in your name. You should check with a MA attorney to see if an attorney is needed for probate. Some states require it. Even if your state doesn't require an attorney, an attorney can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Nursing Home Abuse and Wrongful Death for Massachusetts on
Q: Is not reporting an a death from e coli at a nursing home illegal?

.

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jan 23, 2018

Depending upon how long ago the death occurred there may possibly be a nursing home malpractice/tort claim which you should investigate as soon as possible. This involves someone being appointed Personal Representative by the Probate Court to obtain medical records of the decedent for an evaluation... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Massachusetts on
Q: How can I bring my grandmother, who resides in Puerto Rico, against her will and her husbands will to the United States?

She is 77 years old. She suffers from advanced rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, diabetes, hypertension and possibly a number of other medical concerns that we are unaware as she refuses medical care, refuses all medical appointments, refuses to eat more than 1 full meal a day. Her husband who lives... View More

Lillian J. LaRosa
Lillian J. LaRosa
answered on Jan 19, 2018

You will need to engage an attorney who practices elder l;aw/guardianship in Puerto Rico and you likely will have to attend court there to obtain guardianship with authority to move her to Massachusetts. This is really a Puerto Rican law question.

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