Massachusetts Elder Law Attorney

Protection for the Elderly

When it comes to helping the elderly, few attorneys understand the needs of senior citizens like Worcester Elder Law Attorney, Paula A. Smith.

With two decades of experience practicing elder law in Worcester, Massachusetts, Paula Smith has a deep understanding of all facets of elder law. Specifically, Ms. Smith focuses her elder law practice on:

• Estate Planning
• Disability Planning
• Preservation and Transfer of Assets
• Medicaid Planning
• Long term Care planning
• Administration of Estates
• Probate Administration

Going the Extra Mile

Paula Smith considers it an honor to work with the elderly.  As an experienced Elder Law Attorney, she not only brings years of practical know-how to each and every case, but she also provides extraordinary attention to the emotional concerns of her clients at this stage in their lives.  By rejecting the myths surrounding the competence of the elderly and instead embracing the wisdom that comes with age, Paula Smith’s advice is more comprehensive and respectful, resulting in informed clients who get the best counsel possible.

Especially for Family Members
Paula Smith understands the aging process and how physical and mental deterioration can affect the entire family. By having an elder long-term care plan in place now, much of the burden and stress on loved ones can be prevented.  
Assistance to family members includes:

• Home Care Programs
• Emotional Support
• Financing of Long-Term Care
• Medicaid and VA Planning

Growing older and planning for death can be difficult for anyone. That’s why having a solid plan in place before emotional factors impact the family is so important. Worcester Elder Law Attorney Paula Smith works passionately for her elder clients and the loved ones who want the best for them. 

Practice Areas

Worcester Elder Law Attorney, Paula A. Smith, has two decades' experience handling the needs of the elderly. Whether it's preparing a will, administering an estate, or managing the trusts, Ms. Smith will take your matter from beginning to end and leave no stone unturned.

Estate Planning - Activities that pertain to a person's estate (or property) before he or she has passed away

• Wills - A method through which people can designate the destination of their property after they pass away.
• Trusts - A legal entity that is capable of "owning" property
  • Revocable Trusts - A trust that is managed when you are living and can be changed at will
  • Irrevocable Trusts - A trust that has been set up but cannot be modified or changed without permission from the beneficiary
• Powers of Attorney - A written permission that gives another person the authority to act as an agent, including making decisions, and signing documents
• Health Care Proxy - Also known as a medical power of attorney, a health care proxy is a document that gives a patient the right to appoint another person to make decisions on his or her behalf related to health care issues.

Elder Law - Elder law encompasses all the standard legal needs of the elderly. Paula Smith's extensive elder law services include estate planning, planning for possible incapacity, alternative decision making issues and long-term care needs. Financing the cost of long-term care and working to ensure client’s rights are also priorities of Paula Smith’s firm.

• Medicaid (MassHealth) Planning - The high cost of long-term care has made planning a critically important issue for most Massachusetts families.  Many seniors are unprepared for the significant financial burdens long-term care places on their family’s hard earned savings.  The MassHealth program pays for nursing home care for those who qualify and in some instances for assisted living and home care. Paula Smith helps seniors and their families navigate the complicated rules in order to maximize benefits and protect their estates.
• VA Planning - Paula Smith helps elders to receive all VA Aid and Attendance benefits to which they are entitled. This aid can be in an assisted living facility, nursing home or by friends, family or other caretakers.
• Special Needs Planning - Elders with children with special needs have unique planning requirements. Paula Smith helps arrange for the long-term care of the special needs child in the elderly parent’s absence. These services include naming of guardians, managing trusts, finding suitable care providers and proper housing, as needed. Special needs children still need care, no matter what their age.
• Guardianships - If a loved one becomes incapable of caring for himself or herself, a guardianship may be necessary. A guardian is a court appointed person who makes health care and financial decisions for someone who is unable to do so. Paula Smith helps elder clients plan ahead and arrange their legal affairs so that this situation is avoided.

Estate Administration (or Probate Administration) - When one dies without a will, estate administration (or probate administration) is the assignment by the court of a person who will handle the estate.

Contact Us

For more information about Worcester elder law, Attorney Paula Smith, guardianships, wills, trusts, health care proxies, estate planning, VA planning, probate administration, or for general questions about elder law, please contact Ms. Smith to discuss your Massachusetts elder law attorney needs.

Worcester, Massachusetts
Boston Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney

(508) 853-1900
102 Shore Drive, Suite 100
Worcester, MA 01605-3154

Paula Smith offers elder law attorney services including but not limited to: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid (MassHealth) Planning & Applications and Probate, and Estate Administration. Her clients come from the Boston area including Worcester, Marlborough, Hudson, Leominster, Fitchburg, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Southborough, Stow, Bolton, West Boylston, Holden, Sterling, Spencer, Grafton, Brookfield, West Brookfield, and Sturbridge; central Massachusetts including Worcester County, and Metrowest Middlesex County.

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