Experienced Guidance
When Life Gets Legal SM
Gina M. Barry
- Shareholder
"I focus my practice on helping people plan for the future. Even young people should start thinking about how they will support themselves in their retirement years, and everybody needs a basic estate plan, including a will, health care proxy and power of attorney. I am down to earth, and I pride myself on making difficult and complex issues easy to understand for my clients. I have a broad client base including a mix of ages, genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations."
Gina is a partner and a member of the estate planning and elder law department, whose practice includes sophisticated estate planning issues. Gina also has extensive experience in matters of guardianship, conservatorship, long-term care planning, estate/probate administration, and residential real estate.
Locations
Education
- Western New England University School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts
- J.D. - 1999
- Honors: cum laude
- Westfield State College, Westfield, Massachusetts
- B.A. - 1996
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Holyoke Community College
- A.A. - 1994
- Honors: With High Honors
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts, 1999
- Connecticut
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
Classes & Seminars
- Seminar: The Probate Process From Start to Finish, October 28, 2013
- Seminar: Estate planning questions and answers, October 21, 2013
- Seminar: Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup, May 18, 2011
- Seminar: The Importance of Designating a Health Care Proxy Before You Need it, May 4, 2011
- Seminar: Estate Planning Basics, July 29, 2010
- Seminar: Paralegal Course: The UPC in Action – The Guardianship and Conservatorship Process & Preview of the 2011 Probate Changes, June 17, 2010
- Seminar: Pet Estate Planning, February 4, 2010
- Seminar: Demystifying the Emerging Treatment & Law of Eldercare, December 9, 2009
- Seminar: Staying in Control: Understanding Massachusetts’ New Guardianship Laws, November 16, 2009
- Seminar: When It’s All Going to the Dogs: A Primer on the Emerging Trend of Pet Trusts and Estate Planning, November 15, 2009
- Seminar: Drafting the Simple Will, November 10, 2009
- Contributor: Estate Planning Bits
- Quoted: And to My Dear Woofy... Estate Planning, Bank Investment Consultant, July 2008
- Guest on NPR discussing Leona Helmsley's $12M bequest to her dog, August 29, 2007
- Speaker: Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy, Central High School, May 2007
- Lecturer: The A-Z’s Of Real Property Issues, Suffolk University Law School, March 2007
- Guest: WWLP TV Senior Showcase, 11/03
- Court-Certified GAL Training for Category D Matters, MCLE, November 2002
Pro-Bono Activities
- President and Founder, The Joy of Jasper Horse Sanctuary
Honors
- Designated as "Super Lawyer" 2013 in Boston Magazine
- Distinguished: Top Woman Attorney in MA by Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2012
- Recipient: Super Lawyers Rising Star Award Boston Magazine, 2012
- Recipient: Super Lawyers Rising Star Award Boston Magazine, 2011
- Recipient: Chapter Member of the Year, BNI Holyoke North, MA, 10/13/2011
- Designated as "Super Lawyer Rising Star" 2010 in Boston Magazine
- Recipient: Top Five Business Women in Western Mass, Western MA Women's Magazine, 2010
- Recipient: SuperLawyers Rising Star Award Boston Magazine
- Estate Planning Specialist Blends Law with a Passion for Animals, BusinessWest, October 20, 2005
- Women in Business Spotlight, Valley Business Outlook, September 2005
- "Woman of the Year" distinction, Women Business Owners Alliance, 2005
- "Up and Coming Lawyer 2004" distinction, MA Lawyers Weekly, 2004
- Catherine Bean Street Scholarship, Recipient
- CALI Award for Excellence in Torts
- CALI Award for Excellence in Critical Race Theory
- "Lawyer of the Year” for Springfield Elder Law, Best Lawyers, 2019
- Designated as 2015’s Woman of Influence by Women Business Owners Alliance
- Distinguished Alumni for 2015, Holyoke Community College
- Recipient, First Annual Visionary Achievement Award from Western Mass Women's Magazine, 2014
- Recipient, SuperLawyers Massachusetts and New England Award, 2013-2019
- Recipient, SuperLawyers Massachusetts and New England Rising Star Award, 2006-2008, 2010-2012
- Designated as one of the Top Five Business Women in Western Mass, Western Mass Women's Magazine, 2010
- Recipient, 40 Under Forty award, BusinessWest, 2009
Past Positions
- Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court, Law Clerk, 1999 to 2000
Fraternities or Sororities
- Pi Sigma Alpha
- Alpha Chi
Professional Associations
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Hampden County Bar Association
- Estate Planning Council of Hampden County
- Connecticut Bar Association
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- Hampden County Bar Association, New Lawyer's Section, Chair, 2003 to 2004
- Hampden County Bar Association, New Lawyer's Section, Probate Court Bench Bar Liaison, 2003 to 2004
- Holyoke North Business Network International, Membership Committee
- Women's Partnership Communications Committee, Co-Chair
- Women's Partnership Board of Directors, 2003 to 2005
- Joy of Jasper Horse Sanctuary, Founder, 2007-Present
- Greater Springfield Business & Professional Women's Club, First Vice President, 2005-2006
- Greater Springfield Business & Professional Women's Club, Second Vice President, 2004-2005
- Western Massachusetts Elder Care Professionals, Member, Steering Committee
- Meadows Homes Human Rights Committee, Member
- Women's Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley, Inc., Cheryl Reed Memorial Loan Fund Chair
- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, Director, 2018 to Present
- Western Massachusetts Elder Care Professionals Steering Committee, Member
Published Works
- Givers Gain: Use charitable giving to your advantage, Prime, October 1, 2019
- Estate planning myths: know the facts to avoid these pitfalls, Prime, September 1, 2019
- Are you a collector? Make a plan now to provide for its future, Prime, August 1, 2019
- The homestead declaration: simple protection for your most valuable asset, Prime, July 1, 2019
- Why estate planning is so critical for women, March 1, 2015
- Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Costs, February 1, 2015
- Resolve Now to Review Your Estate Plan in 2015, January 1, 2015
- Year End Tax Planning - It's Not Too Late, December 1, 2014
- Recognizing Elder Abuse, November 1, 2014
- Taking the Guesswork Out of Choosing an Attorney, July 1, 2014
- Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Costs with an Irrevocable Trust, June 1, 2014
- The Life Estate Deed – one option for protecting your home, April 1, 2014
- Good Grief, March 1, 2014
- For the Love of Your Partner . . . Plan Now, February 1, 2014
- ‘Tis the Season . . . to Review Your Estate Plan: A New Year’s Resolution That’s Easy to Keep, January 1, 2014
- Year End Tax Planning – It’s Not Too Late, December 1, 2013
- Things to Know When Your Child is Also Your Caregiver, November 1, 2013
- Estate Tax Update, October 1, 2013
- Planning for Incapacity: Take Steps Now to Keep the Court out of Your Personal Decisions, September 23, 2013
- An Estate Plan is Only Four Documents Away, September 1, 2013
- Same Sex Married Couples Now Enjoy Same Rights Under Federal Law, August 1, 2013
- Estate Planning Myths Explained, July 1, 2013
- Considerations for Collectors, June 1, 2013
- Special Needs Require Special Planning, May 1, 2013
- You Can’t Take it With You: Consider Charity in Your Final Plans, April 1, 2013
- Organizing Your Estate Plan, March 1, 2013
- Regional Law Firm Attorneys Honored as 2012 SuperLawyers & Rising Stars, February 21, 2013
- Moving Forward with a Reverse Mortgage, February 1, 2013
- ‘Tis the Season . . . to Review Your Estate Plan: A New Year’s Resolution That’s Easy to Keep, January 1, 2013
- Estate-planning Myths Explained - To Avoid Problems, Separate Facts from Assumptions, January 1, 2013
- Uncle Sam is Coming to Dinner – Act Now for Year-End Tax Planning, December 1, 2012
- Caregiver Stress – The Next Epidemic?, November 1, 2012
- Keeping the Court Out of Your Personal Decisions, October 1, 2012
- Protecting Assets from Nursing Home Costs, September 1, 2012
- Good Grief! - How to Properly Prepare Your Family to Handle Your Death, September 1, 2012
- Vacation? Establish an Estate Plan Before Your Trip, August 15, 2012
- Where There’s a Will, There’s an Heir, August 1, 2012
- Wills vs. Trusts – Which is Right for You?, July 1, 2012
- Is an IDIOT Trust Ever a Smart Choice?, June 1, 2012
- Ethical Wills Document Allows You to Bequeath More than Material Possessions, May 1, 2012
- Staying at Home – Considerations for Elders and Their Caregivers, May 1, 2012
- Establish an Estate Plan Before Your Trip, April 1, 2012
- The Life Estate Deed – One Option for Protecting Your Home, March 1, 2012
- For the Love of Your Partner . . . Plan Now, February 1, 2012
- ‘Tis the Season . . . to Review Your Estate Plan: A New Year’s Resolution That’s Easy to Keep, January 1, 2012
- Uniform Probate Code Revisited And Why You Should Still Avoid It Whenever Possible, January 1, 2012
- Navigating the Minefield of Long Distance Caregiving, December 29, 2011
- Year End Planning – It’s Not Too Late . . . Yet, December 1, 2011
- Taking the Guesswork out of Choosing an Attorney, November 1, 2011
- Things to Know When Your Child is Also Your Caregiver, October 1, 2011
- The Impact of Grief on Your Estate Plan, September 1, 2011
- Special Needs Require Special Planning, August 1, 2011
- Issues of Time and Space: Navigating the Minefield of Long-distance Caregiving, May 1, 2011
- Estate Planning Concerns for Women, May 1, 2011
- Organizing Your Estate Plan, April 22, 2011
- Estate Tax Update, March 1, 2011
- Pet Trusts Arrive in Massachusetts, February 1, 2011
- Estate Planning Checkup, January 1, 2011
- Plan Now to Avoid Paying Nursing Home Costs, December 1, 2010
- Avoiding Caregiver Stress, November 1, 2010
- Ethical Wills: Bequeathing Life’s Lessons, Dreams, and Hopes, October 11, 2010
- Plan Now to Protect Your Pets Later, October 1, 2010
- Estate Planning Myths Explained, September 1, 2010
- You Can’t Take it With You . . . Consider Charity in Your Final Plans, August 1, 2010
- Consider the Basics Before Contesting a Will, July 1, 2010
- Caregiver Stress: It’s Real, and Its Impact Can Be Severe; How to Avoid the Epidemic, June 7, 2010
- Do You Need a Trust?, June 1, 2010
- Considerations for Collectors, May 1, 2010
- Establish an Estate Plan Before Your Trip, April 1, 2010
- The Truth About Gift Tax, March 1, 2010
- For the Love of Your Partner . . . Plan Now, February 1, 2010
- A Whole New World - Navigating the Uniform Probate Code, January 1, 2010
- ‘Tis the Season . . . to Review Your Estate Plan: A New Year’s Resolution That’s Easy to Keep, December 22, 2009
- Uncle Sam is Coming to Dinner – Plan Ahead and Enjoy the Holidays, December 1, 2009
- When Mom and Dad Won’t Move – Sweeping the Minefield of Long Distance Caregiving, November 1, 2009
- Take Steps Now to Maintain Your Independence Later, October 1, 2009
- The Life Estate Deed – One Option for Protecting Your Home, September 1, 2009
- Moving Forward with a Reverse Mortgage, August 1, 2009
- The Basic Estate Plan: Don't Leave Home Without It, July 1, 2009
- Keeping the Court Out of Your Personal Decisions, June 1, 2009
- Planning Ahead - How to Save Your Nest Egg From Nursing-home Costs, May 25, 2009
- Is an IDIOT Trust Ever a Smart Choice?, May 1, 2009
- Where There's a Will, There's an Heir, April 8, 2009
- Recognizing Elder Abuse - Grandma's Broken Glasses, and Other Subtle Signs of Trouble, March 2, 2009
- Your Place or Mine? - Providing Care for Aging Parents, March 1, 2009
- The Pitfalls of Estate Planning - Sweeping the Minefield of Long-distance Caregiving, January 29, 2009
- Givers Gain - Use Charitable Giving to Your Advantage, November 18, 2008
- Gina Barry recently founded The Joy of Jasper, November 18, 2008
- Good Grief!, October 17, 2008
- Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney - Providing Your Voice When You Are Unable to Speak for Yourself, October 16, 2008
- Ethical Wills - Bequeath Your Values Along With Your Valuables, October 13, 2008
- A Final Gift of Organization, August 23, 2008
- Ethical Wills - Bequeath Your Values Along With Your Valuables, August 22, 2008
- You Can't Take it With You . . . Consider Charity in Your Final Plans, June 20, 2008
- A Woman's Plan for Independence, May 2, 2008
- When It's All Going to the Dogs - A Primer on the Emerging Trend of Pet Estate Planning, April 14, 2008
- Will Your Nest Egg Pay Your Nursing Home Costs? - Plan Now to Avoid Paying Later, April 3, 2008
- For the Love of Your Partner . . . Plan Now, February 20, 2008
- 'Tis the Season . . . to Review Your Estate Plan: A New Year's Resolution That's Easy to Keep, January 20, 2008
- Uncle Sam is Coming to Dinner - Plan Ahead and Enjoy the Holidays, November 30, 2007
- When It's All Going to the Dogs: Planning For Your Pets After You're Gone, November 29, 2007
- Your Place or Mine? - Providing Care for Aging Parents, November 14, 2007
- Grandma's Broken Glasses - Recognizing and Preventing Elder Abuse, September 24, 2007
- Halt! Who Goes There? - Stopping Identity Thieves in Their Tracks, August 13, 2007
- Antiques, Collections and Things - Oh My!, June 27, 2007
- The Basic Estate Plan - Peace of Mind for the Savvy Traveler, May 23, 2007
- Giving Them the Business: Ensuring a Smooth Transition When It's Time, May 11, 2007
- Eeny Meeny Miney Moe? - Taking the Guesswork Out of Choosing an Attorney, May 2, 2007
- If You Should Die Before You Wake, Whom Do You Pray Your Estate to Take?, March 1, 2007
- Wills vs. Trusts - Explaining the Estate Planning Enigma, February 6, 2007
- 'Tis the Season . . . to Review Your Estate Plan: A New Year's Resolution That's Easy to Keep, December 21, 2006
- The Will That Won't - Should it be Contested?, October 16, 2006
- Homestead Declaration Sweet Homestead Declaration, October 1, 2006
- Health Care Proxies and Powers of Attorney - Providing Your Voice When You Are Unable to Speak for Yourself, August 21, 2006
- Where There's a Will, There's an Heir, July 30, 2006
- The Medicaid Rules Have Changed, but the Planning Continues, May 30, 2006
- Medicaid Madness Continues as the Rules Change Once Again, April 30, 2006
- Elder Abuse - Unveiling the Dirty Little Secret, April 12, 2006
- Your Place or Mine? - Addressing the Caretaker Child Conundrum, March 13, 2006
- Prescription For Progress - Taking The Mystery Out Of Medicare Part D and Its Enrollment Decisions, February 17, 2006
- When It's All Going to the Dogs - Planning Estates with Pets, December 1, 2005
- An Ounce Of Prevention - A Simple Estate Plan is Only Four Important Legal Documents Away, April 25, 2005
- Unlikely Bedfellows: Preserving Assets While Financing Nursing Home Care, November 17, 2004
- When Mom and Dad Won't Move - Sweeping the Minefield of Long Distance Caregiving, August 12, 2004
- A Simple Estate Plan is Only Four Documents Away, June 21, 2004
- Brewing Elder Abuse - A Recipe For Disaster, August 18, 2003
- How To Avoid Guardianship, April 5, 2003
- A Woman's Plan For Independence, March 15, 2003
- When You Aren't Really You - Protecting Yourself from Identity Thieves, February 27, 2003
- Author: United States v. Kirby: The Case for Appellate Review of Grants of Bail by District Court Judges in International Extradition Cases, 21 W. New Eng. L. Rev. 565 (1999)
- Author: Homestead Exemption Update: WP Channels, August 2001
- Your estate plan: January’s a great time for an annual review, January 2020
- Holiday season tax planning: Make the time to consider your options, December 2019
- For the love of your partner include these documents in your estate, Prime, February 2020.
- “The family business: Ensuring a smooth transition when it’s time,” Prime, February 2021
- “Reviewing your estate plan: It’s a New Year’s resolution that’s easy to keep,” Prime, January 2021