Richard S. Blank
Education
J.D., 1987
Georgetown University
(cum laude)
B.S., 1983
Boston University, School of Management
(summa cum laude)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Massachusetts
Richard works primarily with families who have special needs—something that carries a great deal of meaning for him, as the brother of a severely disabled person. With empathy and compassion, he drafts trusts for families with special needs, while also serving as a trustee.
In general, Richard provides estate planning for families and individuals of all ages. His particular expertise, however, lies in helping clients derive the maximum benefit from financial settlements they may have received, without jeopardizing their access to government benefits such as Medicaid, SSI, or public housing. His practice includes:
- Providing clients with a broad range of estate planning services, including lifetime and testamentary planning for all individuals and families.
- Drafting and administering special-needs, inter vivos (living), and testamentary (will) trusts.
- Providing expert counsel on the preservation of government benefits and trust assets for disabled beneficiaries.
- Integrating personal-injury settlements and other funds into special-needs trusts, often serving as trustee.
On that last note, Richard offers skilled counsel to personal injury attorneys as they conduct the important transition from settlement to post-settlement stages with their clients. “For example, if a client receives a financial payout as the result of an accident, we help identify the most appropriate trust vehicles to hold those funds. We can also offer thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of structured versus lump-sum settlements for the client,” he says. “Finally, we can oversee administration of the funds so that the client receives the maximum benefit over time from the settlement.”