Practice Areas: Elder Law, Estate Planning & Probate; view more
Licensed in Massachusetts since: 2003
Education: The University of Michigan Law School
Details
Leading Estate Planning and Elder Law Specialist
Attorney Patrick G. Curley is an Elder Law and Asset Protection Specialist. He focuses his practice on protecting clients’ homes, savings, and independence – whether planning in advance or in a crisis. Patrick is one of roughly two dozen MA attorneys to have earned the prestigious designation of Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) from the National Elder Law Foundation*. Patrick volunteers on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), an organization of 450 Massachusetts attorneys focused on improving the lives of seniors and that those living with disabilities or special needs.
A Premier Law Firm
Patrick leads Curley Law Firm LLP: one of the premier Estate Planning and Elder Law firms in Massachusetts. Under his leadership, the firm has grown to include three Attorneys and four professional staff – with over 60 years of combined legal experience in Elder Law. The firm serves seniors and their families with a full range of Estate Planning and Elder Law services as well as younger families requiring Estate Tax planning and Trust protection for minor children.
Patrick’s team includes Attorney Lucy Budman who is also a Certified Elder Law Attorney and has earned a prestigious Masters of Law in Taxation (LL.M.) degree, as well as his father attorney Mark M. Curley. Curley Law Firm LLP protects clients’ homes and savings from being lost to Nursing Home costs, Medicaid (MassHealth), or Estate Taxes.
What we can achieve for you
Elder Law and Estate Planning encompass a broad array of legal services. By way of example, we often help clients:
- Eliminate or minimize state and federal Estate Taxes to ensure that your wealth passes to your loved ones rather than the government
- Protect your assets and income if you or your spouse require Nursing Home care so that your home and hard-earned savings are not lost to Medicaid (MassHealth)
- Ensure that your assets are protected for your minor or special needs children in the event of your incapacity or death
- Administer Probate Estates or Trusts to ensure a timely and accurate distribution of Estate assets.
Practice areas
Elder Law, Estate Planning & ProbateFocus areas
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills
- 50% Elder Law
- 50% Estate Planning & Probate
First Admitted: 1997, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.curleylawfirm.com/attorney/patrick-g-curley/
- Elder Counsel - A national organization of Medicaid and Asset Protection Planning Attorneys
- Massachusetts Bar Association, 2003 - Present
- Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (2003 to present). MassNAELA pursues a mission to establish MassNAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance and services in Massachusetts to enhance the lives of people with disabilities, special needs and people as they age. MassNAELA’s further mission is to promote the highest standards of technical expertise while maintaining ethical awareness among its members who represent the most frail and vulnerable individuals.
- Admitted to practice VA matters, 2008
- Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2003 - Present
- Wealth Counsel - A national organization of Trust and Estate Attorneys who design sophisticated planning techniques
- Member, Massachusetts Chapter of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2003 - Present
- Admitted: 2003 - Massachusetts
- Admitted: 1997 - California, Inactive
- Curley Law Firm, Curley Law video center
- Certified Elder Law Attorney (2008 to Present). Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), which is the only national organization accredited by the American Bar Association to certify attorneys in Elder Law. NELF is a private organization, whose standards for certification are not regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys: Board of Directors 2009 to PRESENT
- Accelerated Cure Project: Board of Directors 2016 to PRESENT. Treasurer 2018 to PRESENT
- “Dignity Alliance” (2020 to present): a grassroots organization created during the COVID-19 pandemic to advocate for the rights of older adults and persons with disabilities who reside in and receive care in nursing homes or other congregate settings.
- Friends of Lynnfield Rail Trail (2016 to PRESENT): Leading member of non-profit advocacy group which has won approval and funding to construct a Rail Trail through Lynnfield and Wakefield (completion estimated 2023/24)
- Lynnfield Cub Scouts Pack 48 Volunteer Den Leader: 2016 to PRESENT
- Shore School COVID-19 Task Force: (May 2020 to PRESENT) - Volunteer member on 14-person Task Force that meets regularly (often weekly) to create and implement policies to maintain health and safety for Shore’s campus.
- Big Brothers Program (2006 – 2011): Volunteer Big Brother
- Recognized for outstanding volunteerism with the MBA including in connection with the Elder Law Education Program. Service includes Co-authoring since 2016 the MassHealth (Medicaid) Chapter of the MBA’s Annual Elder Law Education Resource Guide, as well as speaking at Senior Centers and Councils on Aging throughout Massachusetts., Massachusetts Bar Association Pro Bono Spotlight Recognition (2020):
- The distinguished President’s Award is awarded to the MassNAELA member who has made extraordinary contributions to the Chapter over the prior year, and for that member’s “dedication and commitment to people as they age and to people with special needs.”, President’s Award from Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA) (2019):
- Awarded for outstanding preservation efforts on Curley Law Firm’s historic office at 1 Common Street. The office dates back to 1812 and is one of the oldest buildings in Wakefield, Wakefield Historical Commission Preservation Award (2005):
- Recognition and Commendation from Los Angeles Police Department, Board of Police Commissioners, and City of Los Angeles
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers
- Boy Scouts of America, Troop 701 Wakefield, Eagle Scout Award (1986):
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, A.B., 1994
- London School of Economics – Dartmouth Foreign Study Program in Government – 1993
- Wakefield Memorial High School (Valedictorian) - 1990
- Author of “Protecting Society’s Most Vulnerable” published April 2020 in various newspapers. The article advised readers on how to become “self-advocates” for their loves ones in nursing homes and congregate living communities for purposes of securing clear information about Covid-19 infections, protocols, medical decision-making for loved ones, and visitation rights. , https://soundcloud.com/user-786227478/retirement
- Presenter on “How to Prepare for Retirement” with the The MassBar Beat Podcast hosted by Jordan Rich (January 28, 2021). Podcast presentation directed to adult children of soon-to-be retirees as well as retirees themselves including general information about the need for proper estate planning, protecting assets, being aware of tax and health care planning issues https://soundcloud.com/user-786227478/retirement
- Author of “MassHealth change negatively impacts “Life Estate” deeds” published September 2019 in various newspapers.
- Co-Author of the MassHealth (Medicaid) Chapter of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s annual “Elder Law Education Resource Guide” (2016 to Present). The Guide is published annually and distributed to thousands of seniors and professionals across Massachusetts
- Author of “New SECURE Act impacts retirement account planning” published December 2019 in various newspapers.
- Author of “Home Care Options for Seniors” published April 2020 in various newspapers. The article educated readers about the option of qualifying for MassHealth community benefits to receive caregiver services in their own homes rather than in nursing homes. Because nursing homes were struggling with Covid-19 outbreaks, many seniors wish to received care in their own homes.
- Co-Taught session on “Legal, Financial and Demographic Topics” offered as part of a five-session course entitled “Aging in the 21st Century: Public Policies and Personal Perspectives” as part of the Salem State University’s Explorer Program in September 2019. The lead teacher of the course was Paul Lanzikos, former Executive Director of North Shore Elder Services.
- Panelist on MassNAELA educational webinar entitled “How In Marriage QDROs and Separate Support Complaints Can Save Your MassHealth Clients Money”. August 19, 2020. Too often, spouses of MassHealth applicants lose the applicant's ERISA retirement income to the nursing home Patient Paid Amount (PPA) or an onerous deductible to qualify for community MassHealth benefits. In Marriage QDRO can help shield the applicant's ERISA retirement income for the benefit of the spouse. For non-ERISA plans like IRAs, a Complaint for Separate Support can allow an applicant for MassHealth benefits in a nursing home to transfer lump sums into their spouse's name without any income tax hit, as well as transfer the applicant's income to the spouse. Divorce is not required.
- Speaker for the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, "The new Long Term Care Insurance law in MA", Aviv Nursing Facility, Peabody, MA, February, 2013
- Elder Counsel
- National Academy Of Elder Law Attorneys
- Wealth Counsel
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2024