News

  • Rosenberg, Freedman & Lee, LLP welcomes Audrey O’Shaughnessy as the newest member of our Estate Planning, Elder Law and Disability Law Practice. With over a decade of experience in elder law and estate planning, a rich history of professional recognition and volunteer work, and a passion for helping others, she is an exciting addition to our team. You can contact Attorney O’Shaughnessy at 617-964-7000 x 220, or by email at aoshaughnessy@rfl-law.com.
  • CHANGE PERIOD FOR MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS IS UPON US. October 15 through December 7 is generally the only time of the year that you are permitted to switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug program to another. The plan in which you are currently enrolled should send out an “Annual Notice of Changes” each year in September. Changes in the plan, as well as in your personal medication needs, may be significant for you. Use the Medicare Plan Finder (www.Medicare.gov/plan-compare) to objectively compare coverage options and shop for plans. You may be able to find a plan that costs less and better covers the drugs you need. Be aware that many websites mimic the official Medicare site, Medicare.gov, but are really conduits to private insurance sales agencies. For more detailed information on Prescription Drug Plan Enrollment and Change Periods download the PDF brochure.
    Posted 1 October 2020
  • The right to vote is one of the most sacred privileges in a representative democracy. Many elders see voting as emblematic of their being valued members of the community. As a legal matter, cognitive impairment is not a disqualification. If a person can indicate a desire to vote and to make a choice among available ballot selections, he or she should not be discouraged from voting. Just as assistance in voting is appropriate and in fact legally required for persons who are blind, assistance to persons who are cognitively impaired is completely appropriate, in keeping with the requirement for reasonable accommodation in the exercise of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging and the Penn Memory Center have recently published Assisting Cognitively Impaired Individuals with Voting: A Quick Guide. Directed to poll workers, the guidance is pertinent to the role that family members can plan in appropriately assisting the impaired member who wants to vote, particularly given the increased reliance on voting-by-mail. [Download Voting Guide].
    Posted 1 October 2020
  • Rosenberg, Freedman & Lee LLP is pleased to have served again as it has annually as a lead corporate sponsor of the Spring Fling Gala, the major annual fund-raising event of the Newton Free Library. This year postponed to September and held virtually due to the pandemic, the event featured Jenna Blum and Mitchell Zuckoff, NY Times and International best-selling authors. All proceeds from the event went to the renovation of the library’s beloved Children’s Room.
    Posted 30 September 2020
  • Don Freedman is presenting a five-part elder law series this Fall and Winter, with care manager Audrey Zabin: “Elder Law 101: Lessons for Life Planning. Five Workshops for Elders and their Families.”
    (1) October 27, 2020: “I don’t want to think about it” on life planning in later years, focusing on long-term care and paying for it.
    (2) Nov 17, 2020: “I was so careful. What should I have done to be ready for this” on getting your affairs in order, shaping decision-making, family transitions.
    (3) Dec 8, 2020: “I can’t believe this is happening to us” on the legal and financial implications of early-stage and younger-onset Alzheimer’s Disease and other conditions.
    (4) Jan 19, 2021: “Who will take care of my daughter after I am gone” on planning about your son or daughter with special needs (with guest presenter Joan Katz).
    (5) Feb 23, 2021: “The rehab says my husband’s Medicare ends tomorrow, but he can’t come home. Where do I start when there isn’t time to plan?” on options and choices in long-term care, Medicare and MassHealth.
    Co-sponsored by the Newton Senior Center, the Senior Fund and the and Adult Education Department of Temple Emanuel, and underwritten by BENCHMARK.
    All programs on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:30 pm, on Zoom, and recorded to be accessible to those not able to attend the live sessions.
    [Download brochure (pdf)]
    Posted 25 September 2020
  • Don Freedman will speak on protective services at this year’s virtual “SpeakUp4Equity” convention of the Providers’ Council on October 28, 2020. The Council, formerly known as the Massachusetts Council of Human Services Providers, is an association of more than 220 community-based human services agencies in Massachusetts. He will co-present with Bree Cunningham, Protective Services Director of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and Pauleen Allison, Director of Protective Services of Central Boston Elder Services.
    Posted 25 September 2020
  • Andrea Hickey recently took part in the MBA/WBZ co-sponsored “Ask a Lawyer” program held on November 28, 2018 at the WBZ-TV studios in Boston.  For more information visit: https://www.massbar.org/publications/ejournal/ejournal-article/ejournal-2018-december-12-06/mba-volunteers-assist-callers-during-wbz-ask-a-lawyer-event
    Andrea is a regular volunteer for the Mass Bar Association’s  (MBA) “Dial A Lawyer” program, where members of the public to call into the Mass Bar hotline for free legal advice.  The callers are anonymous, as is the identity of the specific attorney providing the advice.    For more information visit:  https://www.massbar.org/public/dial-a-lawyer
    Posted 12 December 2018

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