Boston Elder Law Blog

The internet has become much more than a form of entertainment over the years. In addition to individuals sharing the things that they like and their experiences online, many businesses rely on social media to advertise. Some people, as many Massachusetts residents may already know, even make a living posting on social media through the support of sponsors. More and more people are also paying bills digitally and storing important information online. This may present some problems when it comes to estate administration. 

It isn't only financial accounts or business related accounts that are important. Personal accounts, like Facebook or e-mail accounts, can also hold very important information. However, it can be very difficult for executors or family members to access this information later. Even with access to the account usernames and passwords, the website's policies may prevent anyone other than the account owner from accessing all of the account information. 

Many Massachusetts residents who are creating an estate plan for the first time may be surprised by the number of steps involved or by the variety of options available to them. Some may believe that they only need to be concerned with creating a will, but health care planning can also be very important. Those who have long-term health concerns may be more likely to set up a health care power of attorney because appointing one of these individuals can help to prevent many problems before they begin.

A health care power of attorney is appointed to help make medical decisions on behalf on someone who is unable to make those decisions because of incapacitation. Unlike an advanced directive or living will, which usually only focuses on end-of-life medical care, a medical power of attorney can be used to make decisions about medical care no matter how old the individual. However, in some states, these documents are considered to be suggestions, and it is up to the appointed power of attorney to determine which treatments to use. 

Making an estate plan or writing a will can be difficult or confusing for many people. However, few people wonder what they should do when named as a beneficiary. People across the nation are bequeathed money or other assets through wills every day. In some cases, as some Massachusetts residents know, beneficiaries may not be expecting to receive anything from the deceased, and they may be unsure of what to do when they are named in a will.

Speaking with the executor can help those in these situations. The executor should be able to tell the beneficiary if the settlement will be discussed and what steps may need to be taken to receive what has been given to him or her. This may also help the beneficiary to determine if he or she needs to consult with an attorney. While the help of an attorney isn't usually required, there are certain circumstances where consulting with one could be helpful. These situations might include when an individual has a reason to claim ownership to an estate or other assets. 

Britney Spears is known and beloved as a musical artist, but she is also known for her rather infamous breakdowns. What many Massachusetts readers might not know is that Spear's assets have been controlled by her father from a young age. Her father was originally awarded conservatorship after she was checked into a psychiatric hospital in 2008. In other cases, conservatorships or guardianships may be awarded to a third party or to an attorney. 

More than one million people across the country are under conservatorship or guardianship. These individuals have usually been determined to be unable to care for themselves due to a physical or mental disability. When someone is awarded conservatorship or guardianship over another person, then he or she gains control of that person's finances and possibly other aspects of the person's life. Some of these other aspects may include where the person lives and works, whether or not he or she can marry, if he or she can vote, as well as any medical decisions that need to be made.