Page 8 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 6 tor. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” David offered a few remarks for some the photos of the month he selected: “March: Pinewood Derby: Timeless fun. “April: Centenarian: 100 year olds make the annual wrap up every year. They tend to look good, a clue that they feel good, no doubt a key to longevity. But xxxx xxxx is the first centenarian I’ve seen whose body language seems to say, ‘Nuthin’ to it.’ Many happy returns. “May: Superintendent and his student counterpart for the day. Second prize was a day - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate Court Docket No. ES25C0454CA In the matter of: Ashleigh Margaret Cutler CITATION ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME A Petition to Change Name of Minor has been filed by Ashleigh Margaret Cutler of Saugus, MA requesting that the court enter a Decree changing their name to: Vincent Anthony Cutler. IMPORTANT NOTICE Any person may appear for the purposes of objecting to the petition by filing an appearance at: Salem Probate Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of January 16, 2026. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance if you object to this proceeding. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: December 17, 2025 PAMELA CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE January 9, 2026 ~ School Bus Drivers Wanted ~ 7D Licensed School Bus Drivers Malden Trans is looking for reliable drivers for the new school year. We provide ongoing training and support for licensing requirements. Applicant preferably lives local (Malden, Everett, Revere). Part-time positions available and based on AM & PM school hours....15-30 hours per week. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! If interested, please call David @ 781-322-9401. CDL SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WANTED Compensation: $28/hour School bus transportation company seeking active CDL drivers who live LOCALLY (Malden, Everett, Chelsea and immediate surrounding communities). - Applicant MUST have BOTH S and P endorsements as well as Massachusetts school bus certificate. Good driver history from Registry a MUST! - Part-time hours, BUT GUARANTEED 20-35 HOURS PER WEEK depending on experience. Contact David @ 781-322-9401. I ELDER LAW, DEMEMTIA AND MENTAL CAPACITY n the context of estate planning and the practice of elder law, it is important to understand the difference between dementia and mental capacity. Elder law attorneys need to have a good understanding of the difference when meeting with clients to execute estate planning documents and to realize when someone is or is not able to sufficiently understand the nature of the documents that will be executed. Dementia involves a significant decline in one or more of the following: 1. Cognitive decline including attention, memory, language, visuospatial ability and executive function;2. Behavioral changes such as personality shifts, impulsivity, anger or apathy; 3. The activities of daily living such as feeding oneself, taking medications, managing money, hygiene maintenance and preparing meals. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia for those individuals age 65 or older, typically involving short term memory loss, language difficulty, or getting lost in familiar situations. The decline is not sudden but rather gradual over time. Capacity involves a clinical opinion, most often rendered by a physician, psychologist, there is an inability to plan appropriately, a typical lack of being aware of the mistakes that they are making and also, in today’s fraud environment, more likely to fall for scams. The elderly in our country are being preyed upon continuously by people all over the world. Capacity will often erode or nurse practitioner. Determination of mental competency is usually made by a judge. A person might have the capacity to execute a Durable Power of Attorney, for example, but might not have the capacity to manage his or her financial affairs. A clinical assessment of capacity will focus on four abilities: 1. Comprehending the nature and purpose of the decision; 2. The ability to apply information presented to his or her own situation; 3. The ability to compare options in order to come to a sound decision; and 4. Being able to express the choice to be made in a clear and consistent manner. The most important part of decision making involves executive function. When executive function falters, you will find that many people’s judgments will be diminished, that over time. It does not erode overnight. Dementia can also progress over a long period of time. Memory loss is certainly important for loved ones to recognize, but more important is whether an individual still knows what he or she is doing and whether or not he or she is behaving in ways that align with past traditional values. Often, family members need to assist elder lawyers in making sure much needed estate/ Medicaid planning is executed when the individual is still able to do so. They are the first ones to recognize when a loved one is suffering from dementia or a lack of mental capacity. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnUARy 9, 2026 backing up Drake Maye. “June: Strength in diversity. Graduation speakers. “August: Joe AndruzziTables turned as Andruzzi pulls for a fan.” Feel free to weigh in with your opinion, loyal Saugus Advocate readers. Creative Craft Group on Jan. 15 Here’s a special event for the creative people of Saugus. You are invited to bring your project to work on at the Saugus Public Library from 10 to 11 a.m. next Thursday (Jan. 15) while relaxing and visiting. Bring your knitting, painting, beading, needlework or other crafts. There are limited spots available. So please visit the library’s online events calendar to register. C.H.a.R.M. Center winter dates The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) will be open on the following winter dates, weather permitting: Saturday, Jan. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The C.H.a.R.M Center is located at 515 Main St., Saugus, behind the Saugus Department of Public Works. Residents will have access to the compost facilities as well as to the recycling facilities during the three winter dates. Go to https://www.saugus-ma.gov/ solid-waste-recycling-department and click on “Recycling Guide” for a comprehensive list THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 11
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