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Stephen J Spano
About Stephen
Biography
My mother suffered from Alzheimer's Disease. When, she and my father sought out the advice of an attorney for their estate planning (before I became an attorney), that attorney was insensitive and did not take their financial situation and personal needs into consideration. As a result, my parents failed to follow up, take action and create a plan.
I had earlier worked with two gerontologists who developed a system to allow people to age at home with dignity and independence. That work inspired me to work to help others, like my mom and dad, to live with dignity and independence. That simple system started by those town gerontologists (who were husband and wife) became the Lifeline System!
As a result of the experience of my mom and dad, I decided, while my mom was still in her early stages of dementia (Alzheimer's Disease is a form of dementia), to go to law school and become an elder law and estate planning attorney.
My Bachelor's degree in Psychology and empathy for those like my mom was a primary influence in my decision to help others. I realized I would be able to combine my passion for those like my mom and dad with my Psychology education , experience in helping people live with dignity and independence as well as my Masters Degree in Business so that I would be able to offer sound financial and tax advice in addition to caring for the person, their family and their legal needs.
My dad took great care of my mom. She passed away in January of 2002 after suffering many years with this terrible disease. I have been privileged, along with my wife, who is also my law partner, to help thousands of others like my mom and dad.
Yes, we also plan for young families, families with young children, families with disabled children as well as those in the middle of their career, at retirement and beyond. As a result of my business education and experience, we counsel businesses and help families pass their business to the next generation. But I never forget it was my mom that not only brought me into this world, she inspired me to help others.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Massachusetts for 31 years
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Spano & Dawicki
605 Broadway, Suite 201, P. O. Box 1345, Saugus, MA, 01906
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Stephen J Spano's Reviews
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 client review from Avvo
Posted by Linnea | September 22, 2012
Excellent lawyer for Elder issues
Attorney Spano was extremely helpful with advice on my elderly parents and preparing their wills. He has particular expertise in elder affairs and resources. He even helped me with persuading them that they would ultimately be happy moving to an assisted living facility, and could recommend the...
Stephen J Spano's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Spano. He has extensive experience with elder law and estate planning matters. He has instructed other lawyers on how to best serve our clients. I attended his class on how to review long term care insurance policies and advise clients on how to coordinate their benefits and coverage for long term care with other programs, including Medicaid."
"I endorse this lawyer highly. Stephen is a well regarded elder law and special needs attorney. He is one of 17 nationally certified elder law attorneys in Massachusetts. As past president of both the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the National Elder Law Foundation, he is widely respected in the elder law community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Steve would work very hard for you. he is verfy organized. he has special talents. you would enjoy working with him."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have served with Stephen on a National board for elder law attorneys when he served as the President. He is a national leader and highly revered by elder law attorneys throughout the country."
"Stephen is a nationally renowned expert in the field of elder law who has been generous with his time in providing substantive education to his peers to enhance the representation of clients in this delicate area of practice. On a personal level, he deals with others with extreme competence and compassion. He is an asset to any potential client."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a nationally respected expert in his field, and I always value his advice and insights. He is quick to analyze a problem and to offer solutions that are both practical and effective."
"Stephen is incredibly bright, extremely hard working and very detail-oriented. He has a national reputation and presence, and his clients are lucky to have him as a local resource."
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Experience
Honors
2015
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2013
SuperLawyer, SuperLawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
N/A
Partner of the Year Award, Mystic Valley Elder Services
N/A
Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, National Elder Law Foundation
N/A
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
N/A
Preeminent (AV) Highest Possible Rating, Martindal Hubbell AV Rated
Work Experience
1900 - Present
Principal, Spano & Dawicki
2013 - 2015
Adjunct Professor of Law, LLM Program in Elder Law & EP, Western New England University School of Law
Associations
2014 - Present
Stoneham TheaterBoard of Directors
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Member
Massachusetts Bar Association
Member
Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Board of Directors, Past
Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Past President
National Elder Law Foundation
Board of Directors
Massachusetts Guardianship Association
Incorporator and Board of Directors - Past
Greater Lynn Senior Services
Vice-President & Board of Directors -Past
North Shore Hospice
Advisory Board for Planned Giving - Past
North Shore Alzheimer's Partnership
Founding Member
Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
Board of Directors
National Elder Law Foundation
Past President
Boston Estate Planning Council
Member
The Community Family
Board of Directors, Past Treasurer
Greater Medford Visiting Nurses Association
Board of Directors, Past
Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Past President
Sample of Legal Cases
Morrison v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
First child caregiver contract case to win against the state Medicaid agency, the Office of MassHealth, in Superior Court.
Education
N/A
New England School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
Northeastern University
MBA Masters Degree in Business Administration
N/A
University of Massachusetts
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
University of Massachusetts
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys 2013 Annual Conference
Basics of Medicaid for Elder Law Attorneys
N/A
National Advanced Elder Law Review Course In Washington DC
Health & Care Planning, Pre-Mortem Legal Planning, Fiduciary Representation, Legal Capacity Counseling, Benefits Advice, Special Needs, Insurance Counseling, Employment & Retirement Counseling, Housing Counseling, Litigation & Administrative Advocacy
N/A
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Annual Conference
To Marry or Not to Marry (ReMarry)
N/A
Extensive Speaking Engagements Presented Annually to Professionals and the Public
Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate, Tax, Guardianship, Life Care, Medicaid, MassHealth, Asset Sheltering, Asset Protection, Nursing Home Matters, Assisted Living, Congregate Housing, Veteran's Benefits, Guardianship, Conservatorships, Financial Planning
N/A
Elder Law Basics Program for Attorneys Presented at Suffolk University School of Law Advanced Elder Law Institute
Suffolk University School of Law Advanced Elder Law Institute Elder Law Practice Areas for Attorneys Entering the Field of Elder law
Publications
2009
NAELA Advanced Institute
Elder Divorce as an Estate Planning Tool
Languages
English
Italian
Greek
Spanish
Portuguese
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides