Stephen Spano

Stephen Spano

MBA, JD, CELA

Founding Partner | Board Certified Elder Law Attorney

Office Address: 605 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Saugus, MA 01906
Mailing Address: PO Box 1345, Saugus, MA 01906
781.231.7800
Help@SpanoDawickiWitt.com
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Professional Overview

Stephen J. Spano, the founding partner at Spano Dawicki & Witt, LLC, brings a wealth of expertise and passion to his role. With a JD from New England School of Law, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a BA/BS from the University of Massachusetts, Stephen’s educational background is as diverse as his interests.

A beekeeper, pilot, and former triathlete, Stephen’s love for adventure extends beyond the legal realm. He’s also an aspiring unicyclist and advanced pogo stick enthusiast, always seeking new challenges.

In his legal practice, Stephen specializes in asking the right questions to help clients identify their priorities and develop concrete, attainable plans to achieve their goals. He’s one of only three Massachusetts attorney members of the prestigious National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys’ Council of Advanced Practitioners and one of only 29 Massachusetts attorneys certified as a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation.

Stephen’s legal prowess is nationally recognized, having been named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list for over 12 consecutive years and boasting a top AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He co-hosts the weekly radio program, The Legal View, and the weekly video, A Legal & Financial Minute or Two, offering valuable insights to listeners and viewers alike.

In addition to his legal practice, Stephen is an adjunct professor at Western New England University School of Law, where he teaches elder law, Medicaid asset protection, guardianship, and special needs law to attorneys. He’s accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent Veterans and their families and has served on the boards of various esteemed organizations, including the National Elder Law Foundation and the National Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.

Stephen’s dedication to education extends beyond the classroom, as he presents healthcare and end-of-life training at the Middlesex Community Colleges Nursing program and speaks at numerous national, state, and local conferences and programs.

Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Stephen received Partner of the Year from Mystic Valley Elder Services, cementing his status as a trusted advocate and leader in the field of elder law.

Professional Recognition & Honors

Named to the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list for over fifteen consecutive years
AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating for ethical standards and professional ability)
Partner of the Year, Mystic Valley Elder Services
Member, NAELA Council of Advanced Practitioners (one of only three Massachusetts attorneys)
Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), National Elder Law Foundation (one of only twenty-five in Massachusetts)

Leadership & Board Service

Board of Directors, The Community Family
President (past), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys MA Chapter
President (past), National Elder Law Foundation
President (past), National Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Board of Directors (past), Greater Lynn Senior Services
Board of Directors (past), VNA of Greater Medford/Visiting Nurse & Community Care
Board of Directors Friends of Saugus Senior Center
Incorporator and Board Member, Massachusetts Guardianship Association
Board of Directors (past) Boston North Stage Company
Trustee (past), Bunker Hill Community College

Teaching & Education

Stephen serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law in the LLM Program in Elder Law, Estate Planning and Special Needs at Western New England University School of Law, where he teaches elder law, Medicaid asset protection, guardianship, and special needs law to attorneys seeking advanced credentials in this specialized field. His commitment to education extends to presenting healthcare and end-of-life training at Middlesex Community College’s nursing program, ensuring that healthcare professionals understand the legal landscape affecting their patients. Stephen served as Chair and instructor of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney’s Advanced Elder Law Review Program for many years and has presented hundreds of professional CLE courses to attorneys and other professionals throughout the country as well as educational programs for the public.

Media & Public Education

Stephen co-hosts “A Legal & Financial Minute or Two,” a weekly video series, providing accessible legal education to the public on elder law, estate planning, and related topics and is former co-host of “The Legal View,” a weekly radio program. Through these platforms, he reaches thousands of Massachusetts residents with practical guidance on protecting their families and planning for the future.

Community Service & Pro Bono Work

For over 32 years, Stephen and the firm have provided pro bono legal consultations at senior centers throughout the North Shore, including Saugus, Winchester, Woburn, and Salem. Offering free legal guidance to seniors who might not otherwise have access to legal counsel, answering questions and providing referrals to appropriate resources.

Landmark Legal Victory: Morrison v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Stephen achieved a groundbreaking legal victory in Morrison v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the first child caregiver contract case to prevail against the state Medicaid agency, the Office of MassHealth, in Superior Court. This landmark decision established critical precedent for families seeking to fairly compensate adult children who provide caregiving services to their aging parents while protecting eligibility for MassHealth benefits.

The Morrison case affirmed that properly structured caregiver agreements, when drafted with appropriate documentation, fair market compensation, and contemporaneous execution, are legitimate planning tools that MassHealth must recognize. This victory has had far-reaching implications for elder law practitioners and families throughout Massachusetts, providing a legal framework for compensating family caregivers without jeopardizing Medicaid eligibility.

Personal Background

Stephen’s dedication to elder law is deeply personal. His mother suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, an experience that profoundly shaped his career path. His early work with Gerontologists Susan and Andrew Dibner, the creators, and founders of the Lifeline System, further cemented his commitment to serving older adults and their families.

Stephen grew up in East Boston and has called Saugus home for over 34 years, where he lives with his wife Francine Dawicki, who is also a partner in the firm. Outside the courtroom, Stephen embraces adventure as a licensed pilot, beekeeper, and former triathlete. He continues to challenge himself as a flailing unicyclist, advanced pogo stick bumbler, in-line skate enthusiast and anything else that is consistent with his belief that life should be lived with curiosity and enthusiasm at any age.

Practice Areas

Elder Law • Estate Planning • MassHealth/Medicaid Planning • Asset Protection • Guardianship & Conservatorship • Special Needs Planning • Trust Administration • Probate • Veterans Benefits • Life Care Planning • Long-Term Care Planning • Healthcare Proxies & Powers of Attorney.

Matters & Experience

Stephen J. Spano has extensive experience advising clients on elder law, estate planning, asset protection, probate avoidance, and special needs planning, particularly in matters involving aging, incapacity, disability, and long-term care. His practice is frequently engaged in complex and high-impact situations requiring strategic foresight, precise execution, and coordinated professional judgment.

Elder Law & Long-Term Care Planning

Advises individuals and families on Medicaid planning and long-term care asset protection, including both proactive planning and crisis-driven eligibility strategies.
Structures and implements Medicaid asset protection trusts, income strategies, and spend-down plans designed to preserve assets while securing eligibility for nursing home or home-based care.
Advises families navigating urgent elder law issues involving incapacity, declining health, or immediate care needs.

Estate Planning & Probate Avoidance

Designs comprehensive estate plans tailored to minimize taxes, avoid probate, and ensure efficient transfer of assets to intended beneficiaries.
Implements revocable and irrevocable trusts, coordinated beneficiary designations, and lifetime gifting strategies to reduce administrative burden and court involvement.
Advises clients on estate planning strategies for blended families, real estate holdings, and multigenerational planning goals.

Asset Protection Planning

Develops asset protection strategies for individuals and families seeking to safeguard wealth from long-term care costs, creditor exposure, and unforeseen life events.
Integrates estate planning, elder law, and trust planning tools to create durable protection structures aligned with client objectives and risk tolerance.

Special Needs Planning

Creates and administers special needs trusts for children and adults with disabilities, ensuring preservation of public benefits such as SSI and Medicaid.
Advises families and fiduciaries on lifetime planning for individuals with special needs, including successor trusteeship, care coordination, and quality-of-life planning.
Works closely with care managers, financial advisors, and families to align legal planning with long-term support needs.

Probate, Trust Administration & Fiduciary Guidance

Represents executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration, including complex estates and contested matters.
Advises fiduciaries on compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution to avoid litigation where possible and protect fiduciary integrity.
Provides guidance in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, including contested cases involving capacity, family conflict, or court oversight.

Integrated, Multidisciplinary Planning

Collaborates with financial advisors, accountants, care managers, and healthcare professionals to deliver coordinated elder law and estate planning solutions.
Serves as trusted counsel to families facing emotionally charged decisions where legal clarity and practical judgment are essential.

Experience-Driven Perspective

Stephen is often engaged when clients seek experienced counsel to avoid probate, protect assets, plan for long-term care, or secure the future of a loved one with special needs. His approach emphasizes prevention, clarity, and long-term stability to help clients reduce uncertainty and protect what matters most.

Education

Juris Doctor (JD), New England Law

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Northeastern University

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BS), University of Massachusetts