Licensed for 27 years

State MA

Acquired 1996

Status
Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Paula Kahn Almgren

Estate planning Attorney at Lenox, MA

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Don’t Bother Going Anywhere Else!

I could no longer ‘not see’ my husband’s dementia after his concussion. What do you do when the person you always counted on to reason things out with you “can’t” anymore? Thankfully, Paula Almgren was recommended to me, and I have been recommending her with utmost confidence ever since! Knowledge and compassion without a doubt! You’re comfortable discussing your most personal fears and confidential information without hesitation knowing you are with someone who has YOUR best interest front and center! Paula and her entire team at Berkshire Law Group are there to answer your calls when you have that panic question. The RN provides advice and a true perspective that helps me advocate my way through the confusing health care system. They walk you through the maze of things that need to be done so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Trusts, Wills, Special Needs Trusts, Pet Trusts – yes, in our home we have a substitute child that will outlive us, and Paula took care of that too! At a time when your life is turned upside down and you can’t think clearly, you need Paula Almgren and her team to help you “see” clearly again.

Exceeding My Expectations

Attending to end-of-life matters was and is a difficult process for me. Attorney Paula Almgren, recommended when I began to search for an attorney to help in the decisions that resulted in the creation of a revocable trust, has exceeded all expectations. She has consistently provided patient and thorough consultations, answering my many questions, drawing diagrams of next steps, outlining the additional services her firm can provide (such as coaching my health care proxy through conversations with doctors), and graciously accepting my slow pace in getting through the decisions and actions. Knowing that the Life Care Planning division of the Almgren Law Group also can provide help in assessing medical needs and care services, can help with the setting up of home care or nursing home care when and if that time comes, gives me much needed peace of mind. Altogether, priceless.

About Paula

Learn Paula’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Personalized, Quality Estate Planning, Elder Law, Community Based and Long Term Care Planning and VA Benefit Planning. Our team includes a Nurse Care Coordinator, Public Benefits Coordinator and VA Benefits Coordinator. We are here to help you!

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Contact Paula

Almgren Law Group

One West Street

Lenox, MA, 01240

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

34 customer reviews

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Posted by Monica | June 7, 2023

Don’t Bother Going Anywhere Else!

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Posted by Nancy | May 23, 2023

Exceeding My Expectations

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Posted by Richard | December 16, 2022

Top Notch Expert on Estate planning helped my mother and us big time

My brother and I hired Almgren law firm after our previous attorney had rather bungled things up. Paula and her staff fixed everthing and that gave us a huge sense of releif.We enrolled our mother in Paula's Life care program and that put all of moms estate plans in order including help with our trusts and getting her enrolled in Mass.Health for seniors.Now we can just live life without worrying about those things anymore.She Knows the law and has anexellent staff each with their own delegated special expertise.

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Posted by Michael and Charlene | November 30, 2022

Expert Services

We sought out Paula Almgren because she is a specialist in elder law and trust & estate planning. Ms. Almgren is caring, compassionate and patient. She offered us many options tailored to our situation and answered all of our questions promptly. Ms. Almgren has assembled a capable staff with a high level of professionalism, thoroughly knowledgeable in all aspects of planning your future and achieving your goals. We highly recommend Almgren Law and will continue to use their services in the future. -Michael and Charlene

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Posted by Sally | November 18, 2022

recommend without reservation

Our experience with Almgren Law was wonderful. We arrived rather inexperienced and anxious and met with Atty Almgren and colleagues who thoughtfully and expertly walked us through myriad needs, concerns and choices regarding late-in-life decisions. The result for us was a profound sense of relief that plans had been carefully documented and family would not be left with guesswork. We remain so grateful for their expertise and are able to recommend Almgren Law without reservation!

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Posted by Mary | April 18, 2022

Excellent Legal service provided with sensitivity and care

I found Attorney Almgren to be caring and careful in her assessment of my concerns and needs. She was thorough and patient as she helped me navigate my estate planning needs. Atty. Almgren asked the tough questions with care and I felt well cared for and cared about. My documents were prepared in a timely way and I reviewed them prior to print. I understood that that I could call at any point to get clarity about an issue. I know that I will turn to Atty Almgren in the future, if I have additional needs. I recommend her firm without question.

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Posted by Cliff Feldman | April 7, 2022

Phenomenal law firm

I have had the Almgren law firm as my relative's elder Attorney for years. This law firm is top notch in every respect; most impressive is the depth of support! The firm has a great staff that is quick to respond. Paula Almgren is a bright, caring responsive Attorney that always has her clients best interest in mind! Debra Allen, a registered nurse and certified case manager, is a valuable resource for anyone needing guidance to help advocate for a loved one. This law firm is second to none and I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone in need of a solid team-based care program.

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Posted by Alan | January 5, 2022

Almgren Law has been essential to our family

My parents first hired Almgren Law many years ago to help them plan their estate. Since then, Paula Almgren and her amazing team have guided our family through all the changes that have occurred. After my father passed away, they were ready to assist us again in changes to the estate and Paula helped us with our questions about finding an assisted living home for our mother. Finally, Paula was able to help us apply for my father’s VA benefit to help with her living expenses. There is no question in my mind that without Almgren Law, things would have turned out very different for my mother and our family.

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Posted by anonymous | November 16, 2021

Peace of Mind that we hired Almgren Law & her Team

We chose Paula to represent my mother once we knew our funds were running out and we needed more help with estate planning and creating a long-term care plan for her. This would involve a Trust and other estate planning documents. Paula was going to help us apply for Veteran’s Aid benefits, and MASS Health and helped us navigate though the forms. Getting on MASS Health has many rules and regulations which people will tell you, and it can be overwhelming, but Paula knows the exact rules and regulations which was so complex that we could never have done it without her help and her staff. My mom had limited financial means and once we chose a nursing facility Paula and her staff helped us with everything. If they didn’t have an answer they would get one. They are with us for the first year and longer if we choose. Almgren Law has been extremely knowledgeable, professional and very compassionate through the complete process. You feel so alone while doing during the process and realize Almgren has done this many times, and they are happy to answer any questions, even if it’s just to tell you it will be okay. We were able to place our mother in the Skilled Nursing Facility of our choice which the group was very involved in helping us. We can’t say enough great things about our choice to use Almgren Law.

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Posted by David | August 16, 2021

Peace of Mind from a Caring and Responsive Team

I live 3,000 miles away from my mom, who was transitioning last year to an assisted living facility. Although I'm an attorney, I have no knowledge of Massachusetts law and no family in the area to ensure my mother's wellbeing. From the moment I contacted them, Paula and her great team -- which includes a registered nurse -- have been absolutely fantastic. They immediately put me (and, more importantly, my mom) at ease, drafted necessary legal documents on short notice, facilitated the creation of a care plan with the facility, successfully supported our efforts to trigger my mother's long-term care insurance, and have kept in regular, personal contact with her to ensure that she is getting the care that she needs and deserves. This firm understands not only the law, but the importance of making clients feel that they're being taken care of.

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Posted by Marie | June 11, 2021

Paula Kahn Almgren is an Invaluable Resource

For the past ten years, Almgren Law Group has guided my sisters and me through the maze of laws, regulations, and rules that affected the care of our elderly parents, and ultimately the disposition of their estate. Without Paula and her compassionate staff, we would have been lost, and likely would have unnecessarily forfeited much of the property and savings our parents worked so hard to secure. But this is just part of the story . . . Almgren Law Group provided so much more than legal and financial advice; when our father was hospitalized, the R.N. affiliated with Almgren Law advocated with the hospital staff on our behalf. Paula and her team knew whom to call, when to seek help, and from what resource—invaluable information that was always a phone call away. Our parents’ last years were enhanced through Paula and her team. When they passed on, there was always a phone call, a card, a comment on the obituary about their lives having been so well lived. We highly recommend Algren Law Group. They are an invaluable resource, and our family is ever grateful.

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Posted by Judy | June 7, 2021

Almgren Law is amazing! Thank you Paula and Team!

There is no way I could have made it through the confusing and terrifying maze of legal, financial, and medical issues surrounding the care of my mother without the expert help of Attorney Paula Almgren and her team. Paula helped me secure VA benefits for my mother, which enabled me to keep her in a healthy, happy, and safe environment for the last part of her life. I highly recommend the Almgren Law life care plan, which comprehensively covered many aspects of my Mom’s care. The Almgren Law team stepped in when I needed help dealing with insurance issues, such as hospital and nursing home admissions. I had no idea that caring for an aging, ailing Mom would be so crazy, but with Paula’s guidance Mom was well taken care of. Mom and I were able to spend the last part of her life focusing on being together rather than worrying about money or legal issues. Thank you so much Paula, and everyone on your Team!

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Posted by Paul | June 3, 2021

Highly recommend Paula and her fantastic team!

Paula and her team were the best resource at a very troubling time for us. On January 1st this year, we suddenly lost our beloved Aunt and she had not created a last will and testament. There are key things you expect from a lawyer and Paula hit it out of the park on every expectation: Passion for the Job, Compassion for Clients, Great Communication Skills, Willingness to Listen, Knowledge of the Law. In addition, the team was very conscious of cost and included me in decisions the entire way. I will continue to use Paula for my legal needs and highly recommend you do to!

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Posted by Susan | May 7, 2021

Elder law estate planning

Paula is a down to earth lawyer. She gets to the crux of the issues and arranges your financial matters. She and her staff are always available. When you call even years later it is as if you were there yesterday. I feel very supported by the Almgren group. Susan

Posted by Diana | April 11, 2021

Outstanding and impressive

Paula Almgren is amazing! She is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of elder care. She is friendly, sincere and empathetic. She and her superb staff are very accommodating with prompt responses to phone calls and messages. With Paula's guidance we were able to keep my 101 year old father in his home. Our family is so grateful for her kindness, compassion and expertise.

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Posted by anonymous | February 19, 2021

Specialist in trusts and estates

I hired Attorney Almgren because she is a specialist in trust and estate law. She and her entire staff were knowledgeable, courteous and personable. She answered all my questions promptly. It was a pleasure to work with her.

Posted by anonymous | February 18, 2021

Prompt, responsive, & reliable

I'm handicapped, and the Almgren team helps me with estate planning, insurance choices, long-term care questions, and much more. Without their skill and knowledge, it would all be overwhelming.

Posted by Katie | February 4, 2021

Almgren Law Review

I hired Almgren Law to prepare and submit a MassHealth Application for my 92 year old Mother who was entering an Assisted Living Facility. This process is very complicated and our family was having to transition my mother after she lived independently for 91 years in her own apartment. I received tremendous support from Paula and especially Dawn who I worked closely with. They patiently and professionally guided me through the process and successfully got my Mother's application approved. I highly recommend Paula Almgren and her staff. In fact even after I received the MassHealth Approval there was another process that had to be approved related to the Assisted Living Facility and Paula Almgren and her staff were most helpful in providing documentation to them and answering questions from me.

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Posted by Barbara | January 25, 2021

Best Decision

I was referred to Paula Almgren by my brother who worked with her on his estate plan. He had nothing but good things to say about Paula and her multidisciplinary team. During my initial meeting with Paula to discuss updating my planning documents and concerns for the future, I was impressed that she was a good listener and a creative thinker. It was a great brainstorming session and I left feeling very positive. Through the whole process, Paula and her staff have been very responsive and helpful. Thanks to the team, the entire process has been a very smooth one and now going forward, I feel that I have a great resource in the Almgren firm.

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Posted by Hillary | February 23, 2020

Paula is one of the most professional people I have dealt with since I moved to Berkshire County.

She is an EXPERT in her field of Elder Care, Family and Estate Planning. Once I was referred to Paula and met with her, I had no idea how drastically she was going to change my life for the better. Everything I have worked on with Paula, vis a vis Parental Care and Planning and my own Estate Planning has been just the greatest relief of time and effort and worry. I know I have a "Professional Attorney" looking out for me and my Family's best interest at all times. And a fun, nice, kind, good spirited person to talk to and work with.

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AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Principal Attorney
Almgren Law Group
2006 - Present

Attorney
McCormick, Murtagh, Marcus & Almgren
2000 - 2006

Associate Attorney
Grinnell, Dubendorf & Smith
1997 - 2000

Education

Albany Law School of Union University
JD - Juris Doctor
1995

Williams College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1992

Associations

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Massachusetts Chapter
Immediate Past President
2021 - Present

Massachusetts Bar Association
Co-Author Community MassHealth & VA Benefits Chapters.
2016 - Present

Pittsfield Council on Aging
Board of Directors
2014 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Massachusetts Chapter
Board of Directors
2004 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Massachusetts Chapter, Advocacy Committee
Member
2004 - Present

Fairview Hospital Ethics Committee
Member
2002 - Present

Berkshire County Alzheimer's Association
Member
2001 - Present

Massachusetts Bar Association
Member
1996 - Present

Berkshire County Bar Association
Member
1996 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys - Massachusetts Chapter
President
2020 - 2020

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Massachusetts Chapter
Vice President
2018 - 2019

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Massachusetts Chapter
Clerk
2009 - 2012

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Honors and Awards

Volunteer of the Year Award
Supportive Day Program - Pittsfield Senior Center
2014

Outstanding Program Committee Member
MassNAELA Program Committee Chair
2012

Publications

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)
Assisted Living; Services, Regulations, and Financing
2021

Massachusetts Bar Association Elder Law Education Program
Community Medicaid Benefits - Programs for Elders at Rick for Institutionalization
2019

Massachusetts Bar Association Elder Law Education Program
Veteran's Administration Benefits for Elders
2019

Massachusetts Bar Association Elder Law Education Program
Community Medicaid Benefits - Programs for Elders at Risk for Institutionalization
2018

Massachusetts Bar Association
Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Check Up
2017

MASSBAR 2016 Elder Law Education Program Community Based Care
Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup
2016

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Speaking Engagements

Elder Law Institute XXV
Understanding Community MassHealth Programs
2019

MassNAELA Dinner Meeting
VA Aid & Attendance Benefits - Dissecting the State and Federal Changes to Eligibility and MassHealth Countability
2018

Elder Law Institute XXIV: Focusing on Emerging Issues
Alternatives to Nursing Home Care
2018

Co-Chair 16th Annual Elder & Disability Law Conference
Medicare, Assessing Capacity, Protecting Clients from Financial Abuse, Mental Health Law and the Elderly
2015

Memory Matters
Assessing Legal Capacity in the Elderly
2014

Co- Chair MCLE 15th Elder & Disability Law Conference
Irrevocable Trusts, Community Based Care and Veteran's Benefits
2014

Long Term Care Insurance and the Home, The Jimmo Class Action and Medicare; Intra-Facility Transfers; Arbitration Clauses
Recent Must Know Changes to Laws Directly Affecting Seniors
2013

Co-Chair MCLE 14th Annual Elder & Disability Law Conference
Medicare, Community Based Care, DDS & Hospital Discharge Protections
2013

Elder Law Institute XVIII
Mastering Community MassHealth
2012

Community Housing Options for the Elderly & Disabled
Community Housing Options
2012

Preserving the Principal Residence
Preserving the Principal Residence
2009

Elder Law Institute XV
Maximizing Community Benefits
2009

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Attorney endorsements

Received (6)

Given (3)

Endorse Paula

Alexis Levitt

Elder law Attorney | Mar 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Paula is my go-to person for the "how to" and "nuts and bolts" of elder care. She is an expert in the many public benefits programs for elders and individuals with special needs. She is a master at weaving together public programs and private resources in order to help elders age in the setting of their choice for longer. Paula's staff is excellent as well. I've called them for help occasionally, and they have been spot-on. Paula and her team are fantastic!"

Michael Baker

Elder law Attorney | Mar 21
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Paula is a great resource to elder attorneys like myself in the state. I will often consult with her on various elder law matters. I highly recommend Paula."

E. Golden

Elder law Attorney | Mar 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Paula for nearly 20 years as a fellow member of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She is my go-to person in Berkshire County. Paula is kind, smart and very much cares about her clients. She knows all the local agencies and other resources her clients need. I heartily recommend her."

Matthew Albanese

Elder law Attorney | Mar 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Having worked collaboratively with Attorney Almgren on various Elder Law matters, I can attest to her both her empathetic demeanor and substantive knowledge of the law. Additionally, I serve on the Board of Directors with Paula for the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Her advocacy and commitment to the aging population is well known and I am very comfortable referring clients to Attorney Almgren. I endorse her and consider her a valuable resource within the Elder Law community."

Karen Johnson

Elder law Attorney | Jun 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Paula and I are both Board Members of the Massachusetts Chapter of Elder Law Attorneys. She is THE attorney to go to in the Berkshires for issues facing elders. She has helped me with connecting to resources in the area when advising my own family members."

Patrick Curley

Elder law Attorney | Aug 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have served as a volunteer Board member on the Board of Directors of MassNAELA (an elder law professional association with roughly 500 attorney members in Massachusetts). She has also taught a couple of seminars I have attended. Paula has many years of elder law experience and uses that knowledge to serve her clients incredibly well. She is a tireless advocate for elders and those with special needs. She knows the government system and available benefits programs in and out, and fights to ensure that her clients achieve the best possible results to ensure that they can achieve the highest quality of life in the future. I enjoy discussing challenging legal issues with Paula and I value her input. I heartily recommend and endorse Paula."

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Margot Birke

Elder law

Laura Traiger

Elder law

Karen Johnson

Elder law

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Q&A
Can I get a package that deals with all of the concerns, Father is on SS, no assets, no savings,
09 Mar 2016

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Paula Kahn Almgren

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