Cranston Estate Planning Attorney
Estate Planning, Medicaid & Probate Lawyer in Cranston, Rhode Island
Guiding Cranston families with plain-English Estate Plans—and a steady hand when the court is involved
If you live in Cranston, you don’t need a law school seminar; you need a plan that actually works for your family. My job is to take the legal complexity off your shoulders—whether that’s designing a trust that keeps the peace, preparing for long-term care without losing the house, or navigating a loved one’s probate at Cranston Probate Court. We’ll map the terrain, flag the hazards, and then build a plan that holds up when it matters most. I practice the way I’d want a lawyer to practice for my own family: clear explanations, clean documents, and the right level of hand-holding through each step. Most clients tell me they feel lighter after our first meeting. That feeling is what we’re aiming for. |
|
Who we help in Cranston
Edgewood & Pawtuxet Village families want to avoid family friction—so we talk through revocable living trusts that keep things private and organized, and we name the right people to carry out the plan.
Garden City and Oaklawn retirees focus on Medicaid pre-planning—protecting a spouse at home, keeping options open for care, and clarifying what happens to the house.
Knightsville and Auburn caregivers ask about guardianship or conservatorship when a loved one can’t safely handle finances - what’s required, how long it takes, and whether there’s a less-invasive alternative.
Across Cranston, adult children are trying to “do it right” after a death - opening probate in City Hall, gathering assets, paying claims, and closing the estate without surprises.
Different neighborhoods, same goals: clarity, control, and a process that doesn’t take over your life.
Garden City and Oaklawn retirees focus on Medicaid pre-planning—protecting a spouse at home, keeping options open for care, and clarifying what happens to the house.
Knightsville and Auburn caregivers ask about guardianship or conservatorship when a loved one can’t safely handle finances - what’s required, how long it takes, and whether there’s a less-invasive alternative.
Across Cranston, adult children are trying to “do it right” after a death - opening probate in City Hall, gathering assets, paying claims, and closing the estate without surprises.
Different neighborhoods, same goals: clarity, control, and a process that doesn’t take over your life.
Our core services (built for Cranston)
We’ll compare a will-only plan to a revocable trust using your facts—not generalities. If probate avoidance, privacy, and smooth successor-management are priorities, a trust usually wins. If your world is simple and timing isn’t critical, a carefully drafted will, powers of attorney, and health care documents can still be the right fit. Either way, we write in plain English and we explain exactly how to fund the plan so it actually works.
The Morales family named Grandma as trustee, assuming she’d follow their wishes. But Grandma’s own health challenges led to delayed distributions and mounting bills for the family’s son with special needs. We stepped in to recommend a professional co‑trustee who could handle investments and paperwork, while Grandma remained a “consulting trustee,” preserving her role without burdening her.
Medicaid Asset Protection (Medicaid Trust Pre-Planning & Crisis)
Medicaid rules are technical, but the human questions are simple: Will my spouse be okay? Can we keep the house? How much control do we lose? We design Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) to wall off future risk while preserving practical control over daily life. For crisis cases—when a nursing home stay has already started—we triage, model the numbers, and execute a lawful strategy to preserve as much as possible while keeping care on track.
Special Needs PlanningIf someone you love receives (or may receive) needs-based benefits, the right Special Needs Trust preserves eligibility and adds a thoughtful “rulebook” for future trustees. We also coordinate beneficiary designations and life insurance so one mistake doesn’t unwind the whole plan.
Medicaid rules are technical, but the human questions are simple: Will my spouse be okay? Can we keep the house? How much control do we lose? We design Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) to wall off future risk while preserving practical control over daily life. For crisis cases—when a nursing home stay has already started—we triage, model the numbers, and execute a lawful strategy to preserve as much as possible while keeping care on track.
Special Needs PlanningIf someone you love receives (or may receive) needs-based benefits, the right Special Needs Trust preserves eligibility and adds a thoughtful “rulebook” for future trustees. We also coordinate beneficiary designations and life insurance so one mistake doesn’t unwind the whole plan.
Probate & Estate Administration in Cranston
When a loved one passes, you need a guide who knows the courthouse, the paperwork, and the unwritten rules. We prepare and file the petition, publish notice, manage claims and tax issues, obtain court approvals where required, and close the estate cleanly—so you can focus on family.
Local note: Cranston Probate Court sits in Cranston City Hall, 869 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910. The City lists regular hours as Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30. cranstonri.gov
The Court’s administrative page also references local rules, fee schedules, and identifies Judge Cynthia Fogarty and the Administrative Probate Clerk. (We’ll give you the exact forms and filing order; you won’t be guessing.) cranstonri.gov
For hearing cadence and logistics, the Rhode Island Probate Judges Association lists court days on the second and fourth Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (Always confirm at intake—we’ll check the current calendar before we file.) riprobatejudges.com
Local note: Cranston Probate Court sits in Cranston City Hall, 869 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910. The City lists regular hours as Monday–Friday, 8:30–4:30. cranstonri.gov
The Court’s administrative page also references local rules, fee schedules, and identifies Judge Cynthia Fogarty and the Administrative Probate Clerk. (We’ll give you the exact forms and filing order; you won’t be guessing.) cranstonri.gov
For hearing cadence and logistics, the Rhode Island Probate Judges Association lists court days on the second and fourth Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (Always confirm at intake—we’ll check the current calendar before we file.) riprobatejudges.com
What to expect working with us
Cranston Department of Senior Services / Cranston Senior Enrichment Center
The city’s senior hub offers benefits counseling, programs, and caregiver resources. (We often coordinate with their team when families are weighing care options and benefit eligibility.) 1070 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02920. Cranston Senior Center Official Website+1
Nearby hospitals
Many Cranston clients receive care at Kent Hospital in Warwick (455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886) and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence (593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903). We factor discharge planning and rehab transitions into Medicaid timing and powers-of-attorney logistics. Brown Health+3kentri.org+3kentri.org+3
Assisted living & memory care
We don’t endorse facilities, but we help families compare options and structure finances. Examples in/near Cranston include Scandinavian Home Assisted Living (50 Warwick Ave., Cranston) and other area communities; we’ll model costs, eligibility, and timelines before you sign anything. Senior Guidance+1
The city’s senior hub offers benefits counseling, programs, and caregiver resources. (We often coordinate with their team when families are weighing care options and benefit eligibility.) 1070 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02920. Cranston Senior Center Official Website+1
Nearby hospitals
Many Cranston clients receive care at Kent Hospital in Warwick (455 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886) and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence (593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903). We factor discharge planning and rehab transitions into Medicaid timing and powers-of-attorney logistics. Brown Health+3kentri.org+3kentri.org+3
Assisted living & memory care
We don’t endorse facilities, but we help families compare options and structure finances. Examples in/near Cranston include Scandinavian Home Assisted Living (50 Warwick Ave., Cranston) and other area communities; we’ll model costs, eligibility, and timelines before you sign anything. Senior Guidance+1
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a will or a trust
A will is essential because it directs probate assets and names an executor. A revocable trust can add incapacity protection and may streamline or avoid probate for assets that are properly titled to the trust. The right answer depends on your goals, your assets, and the people you trust to manage them.
How often should I update my plan
Review every two to three years, or sooner after marriage or divorce, a birth or death, a move, a major health change, a business sale, or a significant change in assets. An outdated plan can be worse than no plan at all.
Can I keep my home if I need nursing home care
There are lawful strategies that can protect a residence, especially when there is a spouse at home. A Medicaid asset protection trust can also play a role if started early enough. The right path depends on timing and family facts. Do not transfer a home without advice about penalties and tax consequences.
How long does probate take in Warwick
Many estates remain open at least six months to allow creditor claims. Straightforward cases may close in that window. Estates with real estate sales, tax issues, or disputes take longer. We set realistic timelines and keep you informed so there are no surprises.
When is guardianship necessary
Guardianship is a last resort when a person cannot make safe decisions and there are no valid powers of attorney. We work to limit any order to the authority that is truly needed and to respect the person’s preferences as much as possible.
What if I suspect financial exploitation
Call us. Signs include unusual banking activity, sudden changes to beneficiaries, and pressure to sign documents that the person does not understand. We can intervene quickly to protect the person and the estate.
Why Warwick families choose Fabisch Law
Families do not hire us for a stack of documents. They hire us for judgment, clarity, and calm. Attorney Fabisch’s background as a former Rhode Island probate judge means your plan or case is built with the court’s perspective in mind. We keep matters moving, communicate in plain language, and work to prevent conflict. When litigation is necessary, we pursue efficient solutions that protect the estate and the relationships that remain.
Do I need a will or a trust
A will is essential because it directs probate assets and names an executor. A revocable trust can add incapacity protection and may streamline or avoid probate for assets that are properly titled to the trust. The right answer depends on your goals, your assets, and the people you trust to manage them.
How often should I update my plan
Review every two to three years, or sooner after marriage or divorce, a birth or death, a move, a major health change, a business sale, or a significant change in assets. An outdated plan can be worse than no plan at all.
Can I keep my home if I need nursing home care
There are lawful strategies that can protect a residence, especially when there is a spouse at home. A Medicaid asset protection trust can also play a role if started early enough. The right path depends on timing and family facts. Do not transfer a home without advice about penalties and tax consequences.
How long does probate take in Warwick
Many estates remain open at least six months to allow creditor claims. Straightforward cases may close in that window. Estates with real estate sales, tax issues, or disputes take longer. We set realistic timelines and keep you informed so there are no surprises.
When is guardianship necessary
Guardianship is a last resort when a person cannot make safe decisions and there are no valid powers of attorney. We work to limit any order to the authority that is truly needed and to respect the person’s preferences as much as possible.
What if I suspect financial exploitation
Call us. Signs include unusual banking activity, sudden changes to beneficiaries, and pressure to sign documents that the person does not understand. We can intervene quickly to protect the person and the estate.
Why Warwick families choose Fabisch Law
Families do not hire us for a stack of documents. They hire us for judgment, clarity, and calm. Attorney Fabisch’s background as a former Rhode Island probate judge means your plan or case is built with the court’s perspective in mind. We keep matters moving, communicate in plain language, and work to prevent conflict. When litigation is necessary, we pursue efficient solutions that protect the estate and the relationships that remain.
If you live in Warwick and want to plan ahead, or you are already facing a probate, Medicaid, or guardianship issue, we are ready to help. We will listen first, explain your options, and map the next steps so you know what will happen and when.
By Matthew Fabisch, Esq. - Former Rhode Island Probate Judge • Founder, Fabisch Law • Trusts & Estates Attorney • Father of Four
Fabisch Law
401-324-9344
Rhode Island Main Office
2 Dexter St.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860
East Bay, Rhode Island Office
555 Metacom Avenue
Bristol, Rhode Island