Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 17, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 49 protecting their assets before they go into a nursing home. Avoiding ex- ploitation e kind of trust some- one goes with depends on their goals. For example, if a trust is set aside for a child with special needs, it's a place to keep money in a way that doesn't interfere with government benefits. "Say there was an inheritance, given to someone with Down syndrome on MassHealth, and they can't have more than $2,000 in assets," Grenier said. "We can say to the court, 'Please let us do a special conservatorship.' We'd transfer the funds into a special needs trust. Oth- erwise, those funds would knock them off MassHealth." Appointing a healthcare proxy can allow seniors to have someone they trust advocate for them if they're incapacitat- ed, Grenier said. Courts are not really set up to deter- mine whether or not an arrangement is beneficial for the person who needs care, Grenier said, so if someone wants control over what they think is best for them, it's best to appoint a person ahead of time. "I was involved in a case where this person's neighbor applied to be a healthcare proxy and power of attorney. e court never did a thorough search for family, and this person basically financially exploited that person," she said. "It's really important to have these plans, to think about it. Even if they do a court-appointed guardian, lawyer, or organization, they're going to do what's expedient." ese issues can be highly emotion- al, but they are essential, Newton said. Because they're emotional, it's important to pick a trustee who is level-headed and will be able to take feelings out of the equation when the time comes. Sometimes people don't want to think about something happening to them- selves, their parents, or their children, but Newton and Grenier said it's always better to be prepared. "We all think it's never going to hap- pen to me or my family, but it does. One way or another, it does," Grenier said. W Making the most out of every moment is easier at The Overlook. Why? There are endless opportunities to grow and explore what makes you happy. Our community offers active independent living plus a full continuum of care, including enhanced living, memory care, hospice care, palliative care, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, respite care, and home health services. Start living your best today. Call 508-388-8088 and view senior living from a whole new perspective. Overlook-Mass.org 88 Masonic Home Road | Charlton, MA 01507 Sponsored by the Masonic Health System of Massachusetts THE BEST TIME TO LIVE YOUR BEST IS Every Single Day. THE BEST PLACE TO DO IT IS AT e Overlook. Voted Best Senior Living Community of Central Mass 8 years running Elizabeth Newton, partner at Mirick W TRUST AND WILL PLANNING: 5 things to know 1. This is part of life. Deal with your emotions, but be practical. 2. Have an idea of what your assets are. 3. Decide who becomes your trustees or power of attorney. 4. Be prepared for your expectations to change. These things are more complicated than you think. 5. Build it, and then put it away. This is your safety net.

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