Author Archives: Christopher Sharry

Update to the Massachusetts Homestead Law

February 9, 2011

     Although the Massachusetts homestead law is not new, being enacted in 1851, it still causes confusion to homeowners as to what protection it affords.  An estate of homestead is a type of protection for a person’s residence from most creditors.  It allows homeowners in Massachusetts to protect their property up to five hundred thousand ($500,000) [...]

Christopher Sharry Asset Protection, Homestead Declaration Tags: , , , , , Comments (0)

Alternatives To Nursing Home Care

August 3, 2010

Many seniors choose to stay in their homes, apartments or assisted living facility despite significant care needs.  This can, however, present considerable challenges to adult children who are trying to balance their own family responsibilities with coordinating care for a parent, as well as for a spouse who may be faced with being a primary [...]

Christopher Sharry Community Based Programs Tags: , , , , , , , , , Comments (0)

How Do I Qualify For Social Security Disability?

June 24, 2010

Am I Disabled?  That is the first question that must be addressed. To receive benefits under the Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) programs, you must have physical or mental health problems (or a combination of both) severe enough to keep you from working for at least one year.  The inability to [...]

Christopher Sharry Social Security Disability Tags: , , , Comments (0)

Social Security Disability Benefits

June 4, 2010

Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income are federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities.  Both SSDI and SSI are administered by the Social Security Administration and are only available to individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria.

SSDI - SSDI pays benefits if you worked long enough and paid social security [...]

Christopher Sharry Social Security Disability Tags: , , , , , Comments (0)

Financial Planning For Families With Special Needs

November 14, 2009

ESSENTIAL STEPS TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOAL

Start Early and Get Help -  Lack of planning may have disastrous consequences.  Planning for special needs families often involves several  financial, legal and benefits-related strategies.  Assembling a team of qualified professionals to advise you will take time.  A financial advisor, estate planning attorney, benefits coordinator, trustee/trust company, family physician/registered [...]

Christopher Sharry Special Needs Trust, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , Comments (0)

Caregiver Contracts On The Rise

October 26, 2009

A recent study by the AARP found that nearly a quarter of the adult population are providing voluntary care for family members and friends.  As the population ages and people live longer, this number is sure to rise.  To reward these caregivers, parents often would leave an unequal inheritance to the caregiver child.  Often these [...]

Christopher Sharry Medicaid Planning Tags: , , , , , Comments (0)

Social Security Reports No Increase In Benefits for 2010

October 2, 2009

Normally, seniors receiving social security benefits see a 2-3% increase in their benefits each year.  For the first time in decades, there may not be a cost-of-living adjustment.  For some, social security checks may be lower when factoring in Medicare Part B premiums.  Most, however, are protected by a provision that ensures Medicare premiums don’t [...]

Christopher Sharry Social Security Tags: , , , , , , Comments (0)

Parents Of College-Bound Children Need To Plan Wisely

July 29, 2009

Planning your estate, whether young or old, is very important.  Sound advice from your accountant, financial advisor, insurance agent and estate planning attorney can help you plan for whatever bumps in the road you encounter during your lifetime.  Younger couples must establish a financial plan to make sure they provide for their children and can [...]

Christopher Sharry Financial Aid Planning Tags: , , , , Comments (0)

New Study Shows Younger Individuals May Be Affected By Alzheimer’s

July 19, 2009

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine reports that an Alzheimer’s gene may impair middle-aged memory.  According to the study, people with a variant of the APOE gene, which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s in old age, may also show memory impairment earlier than researchers once thought.  Researchers followed 815 people ages 21-97 [...]

Christopher Sharry Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy Tags: , , , , , Comments (0)

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit

July 10, 2009

LITTLE KNOWN PROGRAM CAN PROVIDE HELP FOR VETERANS
One often unclaimed, but very valuable program available to veterans is the VA aid and attendance benefit.  This program was created to help veterans, veterans and spouses or surviving spouses by providing financial assistance to help defray the costs and expenses with assisted living or at home care.  Generally, [...]

Christopher Sharry Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit Tags: , , , , Comments (0)