Stephen helps clients find clarity and confidence when planning for the future.
His practice spans trust and estate planning, probate administration, elder law, and guardianship and conservatorship matters – areas in which his attentive, compassionate approach has earned him a reputation for being both detail-oriented and deeply client-focused. Stephen guides individuals, families, and fiduciaries through complex and emotional decisions, ensuring that each plan reflects his client’s unique needs, values, and goals. Additionally, he represents leadership of closely held businesses and LLCs when business overlaps private client law.
In his guardianship and conservatorship work, Stephen is particularly engaged with Massachusetts’ evolving efforts to protect the dignity and autonomy of vulnerable adults. He stays closely attuned to emerging trends that promote less restrictive decision-making alternatives. These values also reflect his guiding principles for thorough estate planning – understanding each client’s unique needs, anticipating potential incapacity or vulnerability, and creating a plan that promotes protection and peace of mind for both his clients and their families.
Restructuring Estate Plan for Blended Family
Advised a blended family in restructuring a complex estate plan to ensure equitable treatment of all beneficiaries. Stephen developed and implemented provisions appointing a trust protector to safeguard both spouses’ children’s interests in the event of remarriage, providing long-term protection and peace of mind for the family.
Refinement of Supplemental Needs Trust Through Nonjudicial Settlement
Drafted a Nonjudicial Settlement Agreement to refine the provisions of a supplemental needs trust, allowing the beneficiary to remove and replace a trustee without court intervention. Stephen also designed a strategic distribution arrangement to preserve the beneficiary’s eligibility for government benefits while ensuring continued financial support without impairing or supplanting such benefits.
Resolution of Complex Estate with Significant MassHealth Lien
Represented a spouse, as a creditor, in the expedited administration of her former husband’s estate to secure financial support for their minor children. Stephen successfully navigated a complex estate encumbered by a substantial MassHealth lien, achieving a negotiated reduction to just 8% of the original amount through strategic advocacy and negotiation.
Successful Petition for Sale of Contested Trust Assets
Represented a trustee as petitioner in a trust action seeking authorization to sell trust assets. Despite strong opposition from other fiduciaries and beneficiaries, Stephen achieved a favorable result through strategic litigation and persuasive advocacy, enabling the sale to proceed in accordance with the trustee’s fiduciary duties.
Conservatorship and Pooled Trust to Secure MassHealth Eligibility
Represented a family in establishing a conservatorship of their mother’s estate and creating a pooled trust to ensure MassHealth eligibility. Stephen structured the conservatorship as a single, streamlined transaction that eliminated the need for corporate sureties while preserving the mother’s assets for personal amenities and expenses not covered by MassHealth.
Education
- JD, Suffolk University, 2022
- BA, Stonehill College, 2019
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
Cooking Up Connection
Stephen’s love of cooking runs deep, rooted in his upbringing in a large Italian family where food was the heart of every gathering. While he still enjoys traditional southern Italian recipes passed down through generations, he’s recently embraced more inventive takes. But cooking remains what it has always been for him – a way to bring people together.
Reeling in Relaxation
Fishing is more than a pastime for Stephen – it’s his favorite way to unwind and reconnect with nature. From peaceful mornings on freshwater lakes to adventurous deep-sea trips off the East Coast, all the way from the Florida Keys to the Cape, he enjoys the calm that comes with being on the water.
In Tune with R&B
Stephen is always on the lookout for emerging artists and new sounds that push the R&B genre forward. Discovering new talent keeps him inspired, and he rarely misses a chance to see his favorite performers live.