BOSTON — Attorney Patrick Curley recently testified before the Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary.
Curley urged the committee to support House and Senate bills H1911/S1138, which would affirm the right of an individual to delegate to their attorney-in-fact under a durable power of attorney (POA) the power to create a trust on the individual’s behalf.
Testifying on behalf of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA), Curley drew on his more than 20 years of specialized estate planning and elder law experience to articulate why the proposed legislation would benefit citizens of the Commonwealth, especially older adults, veterans, and those living with disabilities or special needs.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to speak directly to the leaders of our Commonwealth and to advocate for legislation that can help protect the rights of individuals to plan for their own futures,” Curley said.
“Every adult in Massachusetts should have the legal right to decide whether their attorney-in-fact has the power to create a trust. This is especially important given the growing numbers of individuals living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other progressive illnesses that can lead to cognitive impairment or incapacity.”
The Senate version of this bill is co-sponsored by State Sen. Brendan P. Crighton, who represents Lynnfield, and Senator Jason Lewis, who represents Wakefield.
“I am proud to support this legislation that would provide clarity and protection over the rights and choices individuals plan to make about their future,” Crighton said. “I appreciate the advocacy and testimony of experts in the field, including Attorney Patrick Curley, who provide valuable insight as to why this legislation is important for so many residents across the Commonwealth.”
Patrick leads Curley Law Firm LLP in Wakefield, which focuses exclusively on estate planning and elder law. He is one of only 26 Attorneys in Massachusetts who is certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF).
