I am a partner at the family owned and operated law firm Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. with locations in New Bedford, Hyannis and Easton Massachusetts. I love helping families solve complex problems. Whether it is estate planning for a young couple or a retiree or crisis Medicaid planning when someone is about to go into a nursing home, our clients face difficult and complex decisions. We have created a special place here at Surprenant & Beneski, that doesn’t look or feel like an impersonal law firm. What we do is very personal for clients. Both myself and my partner, Dan Surprenant, are certified as Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation. That makes our team uniquely qualified to help find the right solution for each family.
Personally, I am a mother of four children, Jenna, Renee Alex and Eric. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Joe, and we live in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Outside of work, I have very little free time. I wish I could say I had hobbies but most of my free time is spent going to my kids’ activities such as karate, soccer, scouts, etc. I have been a girl scout leader for the past 9 years. I am on the Board of the New Bedford Symphony. I love to travel, especially with my family so that we can enjoy new places together. In the past several years we have gone to Denver, Colorado, San Diego California, Cape Cod and Florida. I love good wine, tea, Chesuncook Maine, warm weather, and a good book.
Practice areas
The practice areas of elder law, taxation and estate planning all overlap. It is difficult to divide the percentage of each apart. Our practice helps families protect themselves and their loved ones for now and in the future. We protect assets from the costs of long term care, taxes and probate. We assist clients iin obtaining needed benefits to enhance their quality of life.
19 years
32 years
32 years
Languages spoken
English
Surprenant & Beneski, P.C.
35 Arnold Street
New Bedford, MA, 02740-5013
336 South Street
Hyannis, MA, 02601-5404
45 Bristol Drive
Easton, MA, 02375
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MA | Active | 2003 | 05/30/2022 |
CT | Administrative Suspension | 1991 | 06/16/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Hope Award | Southcoast Health | 2018 |
Accredited to Represent Veterans | Department of Veteran's Affairs | 2009 |
Certificate of Graduation, Recognition of Outstanding Achievment | Veteran's Benefit Institute | 2009 |
Certificate of Appreciation of Presentation | National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | 2009 |
First Justices Award for Pro Bono Publico Excellence | Bristol County Probate Court | 2009 |
Certified Elder Law Attorney | National Elder Law Foundation | 2007 |
Small Business of the Year | Greater New Bedford Chamber of Commerce | 2007 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Surprenant & Beneski, P.C. | 2003 - Present |
Manager | Pricewaterhouse Coopers | 1998 - 2002 |
Senior Manager | KPMG Peat Marwick | 1997 - 2000 |
Tax Attorney | Connecticut Business and Industry Association | 1992 - 1997 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Coastline Elderly Services | Board of Directors | 2011 - Present |
Wealth Counsel LLC | Member | 2005 - Present |
Bristol County Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
Massachusetts Bar Association | Member | 2005 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Member | 2003 - Present |
Alzheimer's Association | Member | 2003 - Present |
S.E. Massachusetts Alzheimer's Partnership | Former Chair, Member | 2003 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Guide to Retirement & Beyond | Medicaid Planning | 2018 |
Newsletter for Professionals | The Elder Law Advocate | 2011 |
Self Published | Elder Care Guide for SE Mass, Cape Cod and Surrounding Areas | 2010 |
Self Published | The Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Planning | 2010 |
Self Published | The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Veteran's Aid & Attendance Benefits | 2010 |
Self Published | The Alzheimer's Legal Survival Guide | 2010 |
Self Published | The Family Wealth Report | 2010 |
Representing Clients in a New Legal Landscape | Planning for a Single Person in Crisis Mode | 2008 |
Consumer CD on IRA Inheritance Trusts | IRA Inheritance Trusts | 2007 |
Monthly Newsletter | Elder Law Today | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Florida, College of Law, Graduate Tax Program | LL.M - Master of Laws | 1991 |
Pepperdine University School of Law | Juris Doctorate | 1990 |
Fitchburg State College | Bachelor of Science | 1987 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Best Years Expo | Basics of Estate Planning | 2019 |
CPA Breakfast Series | Estate, Tax and Medicaid Planning for CPAs | 2011 |
How to Get Your Ducks in a Row | Estate Planning, Tax, Medicaid | 2010 |
Veterans Benefits Planning | VA Aid and Attendance Benefits | 2009 |
Medicaid and Elder Law: Representing Clients in a New Legal Landscape | Planning for Single Person in Crisis Mode and Protecting the Home | 2008 |
Posted by Katie
October 1, 2012
Sean Curran, Elder law Attorney on Oct 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this Michelle. A very caring professional. She will take care of your family very well.
Jackie Bedard, Elder law Attorney on Jun 1, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michelle is not only a skilled professional but one that cares deeply about the services that she provides to her clients. I recommend Michelle without hesitation.
Sean Curran, Elder law Attorney on Oct 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this Michelle. A very caring professional. She will take care of your family very well.
Jackie Bedard, Elder law Attorney on Jun 1, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michelle is not only a skilled professional but one that cares deeply about the services that she provides to her clients. I recommend Michelle without hesitation.
Susana Lannik, Elder law Attorney on Nov 18, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is a wonderful elder law attorney! She is a colleague whose area is in New Bedford. If I ever have an inquiry from that area, I would be thrilled to refer that person to Michelle. She is extremely bright, great with numbers, and very very generous with her colleagues. An added bonus... I enjoy her company.
John Peck, Elder law Attorney on Oct 29, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is one of the brightest and hardest working attorneys I know . It would be an honor to be her client and I consider it a privilege to know her. She is definitely tops in her field and is person who really cares about and for her clients.
Karol Bisbee, Elder law Attorney on Sep 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michelle has a very personal and caring approach with her clients. She tells them what they need to know and makes sure they understand the work she is doing with them. I can highly endorse her work.
Richard Vouga, Elder law Attorney on Sep 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Michelle's work as an Elder Law attorney. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, insightful, analytical, passionate, empathetic, and current on the law. She places her client's interests first, and exemplifies the highest standard of ethics. She treats her clients in the manner she would want her family to be treated.
Thorpe Facer, Elder law Attorney on Mar 23, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Michelle is one of the finest elder law attorneys I know. In her office, she has put in place comprehensive procedures and systems to ensure that her clients are taken care of the best way possible. Michelle has extensive knowledge of, and empathy for, the challenges we all face as we grow older. More importantly she has the legal ability to provide lasting solutions.
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