Wellesley Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney

A Local Approach to Long-Term Care & Elder Law

As life changes, so do the decisions that come with it. Many people hope to remain in their homes as they age, while others begin planning for assisted living or skilled nursing care. Each path comes with important financial and legal considerations.

Questions often come up quickly: How will care be paid for? What happens to savings over time? What is the actual difference between Medicare and MassHealth?

Our firm focuses on helping you work through those questions in a practical, thoughtful way. That includes planning ahead for the possibility of long-term care while keeping your spouse, your home, and your family in mind.

Navigating MassHealth & Asset Protection

One of the most complex hurdles for families is the Medicaid (MassHealth) application process. We help you look at the big picture of your finances to determine how to protect your assets while accessing the care you need. This involves more than just filling out forms; it is about thoughtful long-term care planning that accounts for your health, your spouse’s needs, and your children’s inheritance. By looking at these factors early, we can put structures in place that honor your hard work and your wishes without the stress of last-minute crisis planning.

Supporting Caregivers & Families

Many of our clients are part of the "sandwich generation" in Wellesley, simultaneously caring for aging parents while supporting their own children. We know this role firsthand. Our founder, Attorney Susana Lannik, drew from her own experience as a caregiver for her parents to shape how we treat every client. We provide more than just legal documents; we offer a holistic support system that connects you with community resources and education to help you manage the pressures of caregiving with confidence.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services Built for Clarity

Estate planning isn’t just for later in life or for large estates. It’s something that can help families stay organized and avoid confusion during difficult moments. Whether you’re planning around a family home, setting up long-term financial structure, or thinking ahead for the next generation, we help you put a plan in place that reflects your priorities.

Wills & Trusts Tailored to Your Goals

Whether you need a straightforward Will or a more complex Trust structure, we guide you through the pros and cons of each option. Trusts can be a powerful tool for asset protection and tax minimization while supporting the transition of your legacy exactly as you intended. We help you decide which tools fit your specific financial landscape and family structure, so your assets remain within your family while avoiding the public nature and delays of probate court.

Powers of Attorney & Healthcare Directives

Who would speak for you if you couldn't speak for yourself? This is perhaps the most critical part of any plan, yet it is often the most overlooked. 

We help you establish the documents that give your family the legal authority to help you when you need it most:

• Durable power of attorney. This allows you to appoint a person you trust to manage your financial life if you ever become unable to do so yourself.
• Healthcare proxies and living wills. These documents clearly state your medical preferences and name a representative to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, taking the guesswork away from your family.

By putting these protections in place now, you remove the burden of guesswork from your family’s shoulders later, allowing them to focus on your care rather than court petitions.