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Offering peace of mind for 60 years: Behind the Business with Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. of New Bedford, Massachusetts
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, marking six decades of dedicated legal service to the communities of southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the islands.
The firm was originally founded in 1965 as a general law practice in New Bedford by Robert L. Surprenant. The focus was shifted to elder law and estate planning after Michelle D. Beneski joined her father’s firm in 2004. Michelle and her brother, Daniel M. Surprenant took over the firm and continued to see it grow with the addition of two more offices in Easton and Hyannis. In 2025, the firm rebranded to Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. after adding Erin Nunes, a long-time employee turned attorney, as a named partner at the firm.
“The firm’s philosophy has always been rooted in community and education with the goal of making complex legal concepts accessible to everyone,” said Christa Silvieus, Director of Community Relations. “This leaves our clients feeling at ease, knowing they’ve made informed decisions for themselves and their families.”
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. are estate planning attorneys specializing in wills and probate, estate and trust administration, asset protection, minimizing taxation, business succession, planning for special needs, and charitable planning.
“Michelle and Daniel both emphasize the necessity of staying ahead of estate planning needs,” Silvieus said, “especially in today’s world where aging populations and unforeseen events have made these issues more urgent. There’s a lot that can be done to protect your family so that when the time comes, you are leaving them with the chance to grieve versus having to deal with courts and emotional distress.”
A key part of the firm's success has been their ability to meet clients where they are, whether that means visiting them at home, in assisted living facilities, or connecting online or over the phone. This flexibility has been especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed the firm to adapt in order to stay connected with clients.
“As for marketing,” Silvieus explained, “it’s all about community education and keeping it simple for our clients. We work with many different organizations whose role is to also reach the same families that need support and guidance.”
One of the primary tools used to support their clients is a case management system that organizes client information and files, offers secure online portals, and online chat allowing them to maintain a high level of service while ensuring security of client data.
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. sees their relationships with their clients as a two way street and is constantly looking for ways to give back and support. Over the years, they have partnered with multiple organizations including the Southcoast and Cape Cod Healthcare, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, Cape Cod Senior Resource Group, and Community Nurse Coastline and work closely with other professionals who serve the same community of clients.
All three partners are local to Massachusetts and love knowing they are helping their friends, family, and neighbors.
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. serves the communities of southern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the islands.
Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C. has been an Accredited Member of the Better Business Bureau since 2023. For more information about Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., check out their BBB Profile. To learn more about BBB and read more stories like this, visit Behind the Business Stories with BBB in Eastern MA, ME, RI & VT.
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