While traditional estate planning encompasses a broader range of strategies for managing assets and distributing them after death, special needs planning is a specific form of estate planning that focuses on the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Both, though, share the goal of ensuring financial security and well-being, with special needs planning adding the crucial element of preserving government benefits for the disabled individual.  In the end, both estate and special needs planning are about love.

In this in-person presentation at Howard County Library’s Central branch, Managing Principal Stephen Elville, J.D., LL.M., will educate attendees about the essentials of both estate and special needs planning to ensure your family and loved one’s current and future needs are addressed.

Key points of education include:

1. Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other legal documents to set forth and carry out your family’s goals – all planning is goal-driven!
2. How to manage and distribute assets, whether for the benefit of a disabled individual or other beneficiaries.
3. Addressing how to provide financial support for loved ones with disabilities without jeopardizing eligibility for means-tested government benefits including SSI and Medicaid.
4. A key element of special needs planning is the use of special needs trusts, which allow funds to be held for the benefit of the disabled individual without affecting their eligibility for public assistance.  What are the types of special needs trusts and how are they similar and different?
5. Special needs planning takes into account the unique challenges and needs of individuals with disabilities, such as healthcare, housing, and support services.
6. Guardianship and supported decision making – what are they and when are they appropriate?
7. Trustee selection – a crucial piece of both types of planning – involves choosing someone who understands the complexities of planning documents and in special needs planning understanding the beneficiary’s specific needs.
8. Special needs planning often includes a broader financial well-being strategy, incorporating budgeting, insurance, and other investment strategies such as ABLE accounts to protect the individual’s assets and provide for their long-term financial stability.

To RSVP for the presentation please visit The Essentials of Estate and Special Needs Planning | Howard County Library System.  Should you have questions ahead of time, please reach out to Elville and Associates’ Community Relations Director, Jeff Stauffer, at jeff@elvilleassociates.com, or HCPL’s Adult Learning & Innovation Specialist, Rohini Gupta, at rohini.gupta@hclibrary.org.

We look forward to hosting you!

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Presented by Elville and Associates’ Principal Attorney Lilly Hummel, this in person presentation at Rockville Senior Center is an in-depth overview that will thoroughly educate attendees about the essentials of estate and elder law planning.  This is Elville and Associates’ 10th consecutive year visiting Rockville Senior Center to offer education to its members and surrounding community.

Some of the topics Ms. Hummel will discuss include:

1) What is an Estate Plan and what is the process?  Why is it important to have a process?

2) Why most Estate Plans don’t work as intended and what you can do to avoid planning failure

3) Wills versus Trusts and understanding probate and non-probate concepts

4) Understanding the importance of financial powers of attorney, advance medical directives and MOLST

5) Elder Law, Taxation, and Asset Protection – what these concepts mean in today’s planning

6) Understanding why having outdated documents could provide challenges in the future

7) The absolute importance of incorporating “flexibility” in your planning, and how to achieve perfection for your legacy

8) Getting started – how to take the next steps

To RSVP ahead of time, please click here. Should you have any questions before the presentation, please contact Community Relations Director Jeff Stauffer at jeff@elvilleassociates.com, or 443-393-7696 x117.  Or, you can contact Senior Center Support Services Supervisor Alexis D’Angelo at adangelo@rockvillemd.gov, or 240-314-8812.

We look forward to seeing you at Rockville Senior Center!

#elvilleeducation

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This presentation is in partnership with Friends House Retirement Community, based in Sandy Spring, Maryland.  The information below is being shared on behalf of Friends House and was created by Friends House as well.
Greetings from Friends House Retirement Community!

August is National Make a Will Month. Did you know that while more than half of Americans think having a will is important, only a third have one?

Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wishes are honored. Yet, many people delay this vital task. Here at Friends House, we understand that the process can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

A will allows you to:

• Provide for your loved ones and avoid family disputes.
• Support charitable organizations that reflect your values.
• Specify how your assets are distributed.

Here are a few reasons why having a will is crucial:

• Control Over Your Estate: Without a will, state laws will determine how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your wishes.
• Support Charities: You can leave a legacy by donating to causes you care about.
• Minimize Taxes: Proper estate planning can help reduce the taxes that your heirs will have to pay.

Throughout August, we’ll be sharing more information about the importance of wills and how you can create or update yours. Your legacy can make a lasting impact on the lives of your loved ones and the residents of Friends House.

To learn more, read our latest blog post: Why August is the Perfect Time to Plan Your Legacy.

Friends House is pleased to host a special in person presentation by Attorney Lilly Hummel from Elville and Associates. In honor of National Make a Will Month, this event will provide valuable insights on wills and estate giving, helping you plan your legacy with confidence.  to RSVP to the event, please email Friends House Director of Development Anne Derby at ADerby@friendshouse.com.

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PLEASE NOTE REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT.

Stephen R. Elville, the attorneys, and staff of Elville and Associates are pleased to invite you to our 2025 annual Client and Community Education Event!

Clients, families and friends, financial advisors, and community members are welcome as we learn about “The Evolution of Estate Planning in a Changing World.”

Our traditional high-level education, award-winning breakfast foods from Putting on the Ritz, live music from the Columbia Orchestra String Quartet, and door prizes await! Join us on Saturday, October 18th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for this can’t-miss event at the beautiful, fully-refurbished Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville.

Questions?  Contact Community Relations Director Jeff Stauffer at jeff@elvilleassociates.com, or 443-393-7696 x117.

Scheduled presentations and topics include:

Stephen R. Elville, J.D., LL.M., Managing Principal and Lead Attorney of Elville and Associates, P.C. – “How and Why Estate Planning Changed in 2025 – OBBBA – and Dealing wth Long-Term Variables in Estate Planning 2.0”

Gary Greenwald, J.D., LL.M., Principal of The Law Offices of Gary Greenwald, P.C. – “The History of Estate Tax and Implications for Planning Now and in the Future”

Lillian S. Hummel, J.D., M.P.A., Principal of Elville and Associates, P.C. – “Estate Planning in an Era of Uncertainty: Adapting to Budget Shifts, Benefit Changes, and a Strained Long-Term Care Environment”

Bill Hufnell, CFP®, CPA, Wealth Manager and Principal; Billy Hufnell, CFP®, CPWA®, Wealth Manager and Principal; Dan Ebinger, CFP®, CFA®, CPWA®, Wealth Manager and Principal with Modera Wealth – “Tax and Charitable Planning, and Implications of the OBBBA on Planning”

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The Strategies for Effective Elder Abuse Investigations Conference is designed to provide professionals involved in elder abuse investigations with valuable knowledge and practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness in identifying, preventing, and responding to elder abuse cases.
By bringing together experts from various fields, this conference aims to promote collaboration, share experiences, and develop effective approaches to combat elder abuse and protect vulnerable adults. The conference program includes a diverse range of topics designed to address the multifaceted aspects of elder abuse investigations, ensuring attendees leave the event better equipped to handle these complex cases.

Registration Link: https://www.elderabuseconference.info/

Event Sponsor: Center for Elder Justice and Education, Inc. https://elderjusticeandeducation.org/
Contact Person: Andre Lingham (667-352-0295)
Email: cfejae2021@gmail.com

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Stephen Elville and Elville and Associates are pleased to be headed back to Howard County Public Library’s East Columbia branch for some estate planning education!
Presented by Elville and Associates’ Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen R. Elville, this special in person presentation is an in-depth overview that will thoroughly educate attendees about the essentials of estate and elder law planning.

Some of the topics he will discuss include:

1) What is an Estate Plan and what is the process?  Why is it important to have a process?

2) Why most Estate Plans don’t work as intended and what you can do to avoid planning failure

3) Wills versus Trusts and understanding probate and non-probate concepts

4) Understanding the importance of financial powers of attorney, advance medical directives and MOLST

5) Elder Law, Taxation, and Asset Protection – what these concepts mean in today’s planning

6) Understanding why having outdated documents could provide challenges in the future

7) The absolute importance of incorporating “flexibility” in your planning, and how to achieve perfection for your legacy

8) Getting started – how to take the next steps

To register for the presentation ahead of time, please visit HCPL’s link here.

Should you have any questions beforehand, please contact Community Relations Director Jeff Stauffer at jeff@elvilleassociates.com, or 443-393-7696 x117.  Or, you may contact HCPL’s Adult Learning and Innovation Specialist Rohini Gupta at 410-313-7766.

This presentation is offered in partnership with the Howard County Library System, a longtime supporter of Elville and Associates’ educational programs. To learn more about the HCLS, its educational programs and calendar of events, please visit https://live-howardcounty.pantheonsite.io/   contact Ms. Gupta.

We look forward to seeing you at Howard County Public Library’s East Columbia branch!

#elvilleeducation

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