My office is located in Amherst, Massachusetts.  My practice areas includes estate planning, trust and fiduciary administration, probate administration, elder planning,  business law, and real estate law. I work closely with my clients to gain a thorough understanding of their objectives and to respond to changing circumstances and demanding time requirements.

I am dedicated to providing resources and information in order to assist you with your planning and transactional needs.

In addition, I work with a team of experienced legal professionals representing you with you Nursing Home Injury/Abuse and Medical Malpractice claims.

The following are frequently asked questions regarding Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C.

Q. How is Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. compensated for estate and elder planning legal work?

A. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. provides written proposals for estate and elder planning and provides engagement/fee agreement letters to all clients prior to accepting a retainer or fee. A legal fee is based upon the nature of the legal work, the time needed to effectively complete the legal work, and the demand for the services of the firm. The firm and the client mutually agree to a fee in advance of any fee or retainer being paid. The firm also provides fee guidelines to clients. In some instances, the fee is based upon an hourly rate. The firm provides time estimates to complete a planning project. In other instances, the fee is based upon a flat rate plus hourly rate. For example, a flat fee is charged to a client to create an estate and elder plan and the firm would charge an hourly rate for ongoing representation of the client’s estate and elder plans and other related matters.

Q.  How is Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C compensated for residential real estate transactions?

A.  In cases in which Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. is representing a lender, the Buyer will be provided a good faith estimate by the lender setting forth the fees associated with the transaction.  If a lender is not involved, Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. provides written proposals to Buyers and Sellers.

Q. How is Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. compensated for business planning legal work and commercial transactions?

A. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. provides written proposals for business planning and commercial transactions and provides engagement/fee agreement letters to all clients prior to accepting a retainer or fee. A legal fee is based upon the nature of the legal work, the time needed to effectively complete the legal work, and the demand for the services of the firm. The firm and the client mutually agree to a fee in advance of any fee or retainer being paid. The firm also provides fee guidelines to clients. In some instances, the fee is based upon an hourly rate. The firm provides time estimates to complete a planning project. In other instances, the fee is based upon a flat rate plus hourly rate. For example, a flat fee is charged to a client to create a business entity and the firm would charge an hourly rate for ongoing representation of the client’s business.

Q. How is Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. compensated for Nursing Home Injury/Abuse and Medical Malpractice Claims?

A. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. represents individuals in the areas of Nursing Home Injury/Abuse and Medical Malpractice.  Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C.will enter into a contingent fee agreement with the individual or family member.  Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. may engage the services of additional attorneys to assist with the Nursing Home Injury/Abuse and Medical Malpractice claims though this arrangement will not reduce any amount payable the individual under the terms of the contingent fee agreement.

Q.  Why do you need additional attorneys to assist you with a Nursing Home Injury/Abuse or Medical Malpractice Claim?

A.  Each attorney who represents you with your case has a special skill set including case management, litigation, and settlement negotiations.  Collectively, the attorneys work as a cohesive unit to provide the best possible outcome for your claim.

Q. If I am a child seeking legal advice for a parent. Whom does Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. represent?

A. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. provides both the parent and child a letter setting forth whom the firm represents, which in most cases will be the parent and not the child.

Q. Who oversees Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. and what type of controls does a client or child of a client have over advice given by Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C.?

A. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. and the client enter into a written engagement/fee agreement which sets forth the scope of representation, fee and payment terms, services not included, joint representation (if allowed and needed), cooperation and confidentiality, and termination of representation.

Q. Does Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. have third party arrangements with financial or insurance groups.

A. Matthieu J. Massengill, P.C. desires to maintain independence and only represents the client’s interest. Therefore, Matthieu J. Massengill has not nor intends to enter into agreements with any financial or insurance groups in which a fee is paid to the firm for referring clients to the financial or insurance group. These types of arrangements are becoming more prevalent in the legal field. It is the opinion of Matthieu J. Massengill that such arrangements distort the judgment of the attorney irrespective of disclosures given to the client.

Please call us at 413-253-0332 or e-mail us at mattm@masselderplanning.com