Join us for this interactive webinar presentation as Elville and Associates’ Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen Elville shares his thoughts and insights on estate planning for 2023 after returning from the nation’s leading annual estate planning conference in Orlando. During this one-hour session, Steve will discuss the hot topics and issues that are top of mind right now for estate, financial, and tax planning professionals.

Learning Objectives include:

To provide attendees with an understanding of the general scope of estate and tax planning concerns in the U.S. at the beginning of 2023;

To ground attendees in a fundamental understanding of spousal marital deduction planning;

To give attendees a basic overview of elder law planning concerns for early 2023;

To provide attendees with an overview of recent asset protection options;

To gain an understanding of the latest SECURE Act changes and estate planning for retirement plan assets;

and

To educate attendees about the continuing importance of flexibility in estate plans, powers of attorney, advance medical directives, and special needs plans.

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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Presented by Elville and Associates’ Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen R. Elville, webinar attendees will come to understand what is involved in the planning process for a special needs family and the importance of preserving your loved one’s financial security and quality of life.

The key issues of understanding the role of public benefits, making decisions about the future, Maryland ABLE, and using estate planning and trusts to protect assets will be discussed along with the types of special needs trusts and their specific purposes (along with who the decision makers and beneficiaries can be in these trusts). Also, to be touched upon will be the “planning team concept” – how your planning team (attorney, financial advisor, CPA) – can work together to help provide your family peace of mind during the special needs planning process.

 

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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By: Dr. Michelle Fritsch, PharmD, BCGP – Founder and Owner – Retirement Wellness Strategies 

Did you set resolutions for the year ahead?  Have you considered your plans to enhance your health this year in such a way that you can count on it in years and decades to come? 

What about your function?  What does that even mean?  What comes to mind when you think of maintaining your function? 

I found that patients/clients usually don’t think about their function until they lose it, whether temporarily or permanently.  As we all know, you are out of time for prevention when the function is lost. 

Loss of function comes with injuries being active when out of shape.  It is having a heart attack or stroke related to high blood pressure when you lose your sense of self.  It is rapid mental decline due to depression and overmedication.  It is from decimated relationships that weren’t prepared for the transition. 

So, now is a great time to start planning for function, health, purpose, and all aspects of wellness in the future.  In particular, start now to plan to maintain function in the transition to retirement. This goes ways beyond a gym membership! 

Function beyond your physical function 

Big life transitions, such as retirement, can be a time of functional decline, especially without preventive planning.  What first comes to mind when you think about your ‘function’? 

Here are a few that might not immediately come to mind. 

• Emotional Function – Do stresses in your life, or on a societal scale, shut you down? 

• I realize many people think of intimacy function. Before you turn to medication or hormone boosts, did you know it is emotion that is the cause nearly half of the time?  This can be low-self-esteem, worry, stress, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, or other emotional concerns. 

• Spiritual Function – Have you figured out your spiritual beliefs? This one is easily ignored but just as likely to contribute to functional decline. 
• Mental Function – Are anxiety or depression keeping you from engaging fully? Lost self-identity with the end of a long, successful career is commonly linked with functional decline. 
• Social Function – Especially during a big life transition, do you know how to make new social connections? 

Just as with physical function decline, all of these sources of functional decline are usually preventable.  Don’t just stumble your way into retirement without some proactive planning. 

Social connections and function 

Did you know that a big aspect of longevity and of maintaining function long term has to do with the depths of your social circle? 

There are many people who upon retirement start to limit their social circle focusing just on primary family.  Certainly, the opportunity to spend more time with primary family is wonderful.  But then, when there’s loss of a spouse or the kids move away or the grandkids grow up and go off to college and head out, some of those daily interactions with family can be limited or even end. 

Then what is your social circle?  One of the best long-term prevention items you can do is to expand the number of people you know. 

***Just like you diversify your wealth, diversify your social calendar. *** 

Have different sorts of clubs and hobbies and activities.  If you’re living in your purpose, that tends to introduce you to all sorts of people that share common passions and has been shown to help you stay functional very long term. 

You want to not just rely on one person to be your source of entertainment and emotional support.  Start now to diversify and grow your social network. 

Isolation is one of the number one causes of rapid health and functional decline.  So, take every step you can to avoid ever being in a situation of isolation. 

Purpose and Function 

Purpose, knowing yours, and living in it is directly tied with staying functional.  Functional involves being fully operational and useful.  Too many people rapidly lose function after they retire. 

• More social interaction with others who share interests around your purpose means less risk of isolation which is tied to rapidly decreasing function. 
• More motivation to get up and moving in the morning leading to an overall healthier lifestyle which can preserve function. 
• More people in your life to notice when you’re off or help when you need help takes the burden off of you alone. You then are more open to helping others.  The emotional connection, the physical activity, and the social support all serve to preserve function. 
• Those living in purpose are less likely to throw a frozen dinner in the microwave and eat alone on a regular basis. Actually, food intake tends to be more thoughtful and healthier. 

• Living in purpose means less time sitting in front of the television, so less pain, greater fitness, less obesity are all benefits that help to maintain function. 

I’ve spent the last week watching someone who does not live in purpose go from minimally functional to now critically ill.  Don’t wait until tomorrow or until your function starts to decline to take action.  Prevention and purpose can shape your bright functional future! 

Start your planning today: 

Retirement Wellness Strategies – with your personal one-on-one guide 

Propel Comprehensive Wellness – on your own time with new information each month 

Dr. Michelle Fritsch is an author, nationally renowned speaker, founder of Retirement Wellness Strategies and cofounder of Propel Comprehensive Wellness. You can call her at 410-472- 5078, email her at michelle@propelyourwellness.com or visit her website at www. propelyourwellness.com. 

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By: Stephen R. Elville, J.D., LL.M. – Managing Principal and Lead Attorney –

Elville and Associates, P.C.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the theme Elville and Associates has been talking to clients about so much since late 2022 and now into 2023, and that is achieving perfection in estate planning.  While this concept is important, and an idea that sets the bar higher than it’s likely ever been set before, it’s important to also understand that the object is not to focus on perfection at the outset – meaning perfectionism is not what I am referring to.  This problem is what holds so many people back, and not just in estate planning.  Many of us won’t move ahead with something unless we know it’s perfect or otherwise we are afraid we will make a mistake; or, we actually do get started with a project and then don’t finish for various reasons, oftentimes because we want to be perfect or we lack focus; or, perhaps something we don’t want to admit – we are afraid to finish because we’re afraid of what finishing means.  

For example, in the past two years I’ve had clients who have attempted estate planning multiple times in the past and did not or could not follow through.  The problem is this: when we think about estate planning, we think in terms of having to get it right and having to get it right from the get-go.  We don’t give ourselves permission to fail.  Why?  Well, because we think in terms of failure not being an option.  But that’s not how estate planning works and not how everyday life works.  In estate planning we feel that we must make perfect choices because we have no alternative – we have to plan as if death or incapacity would occur or could occur tomorrow.  While this is always true, and no one knows what tomorrow may bring, this approach is fatal to success in estate planning.  

Rather, the best choice and the healthy choice when it comes to estate planning is to engage in an estate planning process where there is counseling and education so that you know all of the choices that are available to you, and in that estate planning process you obtain advice about what choices may be best for you based on your own individual circumstances and family situation.  As part of this estate planning process, you have a goal or develop a goal that drives your planning forward.  You make the best choices you can now, not only about how the structure of the plan works, but also who your trusted fiduciaries will be, namely, your personal representatives under your last will and testament, your guardians for minor or disabled children, your trustees, your agents under financial powers of attorney and advance medical directives, your trust protectors, and more.  

Having made these decisions, you eventually realize that estate planning is not just a single transaction, but a process – a lifetime process.  You eventually realize that just like financial or tax planning, or other life planning, including healthcare, fitness, or education, you don’t just set it and forget it.  You work on and develop your planning throughout your lifetime.  When you realize this and have this estate planning epiphany, you will realize that you do not need to feel under pressure about being perfect in estate planning from the outset, and this releases you to make the highest and best decisions based on what you know now.  You can then maintain and update your estate plan throughout your lifetime, and in this way you then take the real steps towards the perfection of your estate plan as an overall goal so that when your estate plan matures and you are no longer living, it will work the way you envisioned.  

Here’s the point:  we want to encourage and strive for perfection in estate planning.  But perfection usually does not come in one sitting or one meeting or one phase of a process (or in one workout, one piano lesson, or one audition).  Rather, perfection in an estate planning process happens as part of an overall commitment to excellence in planning throughout your lifetime and continuing legal education for yourself, your family members, and your trusted fiduciaries.  Don’t try to be perfect.  Instead, achieve perfection in your estate planning, elder care planning, or special needs planning, over your lifetime, taking into consideration all of the changes that have, and will surely continue to occur, in the coming years.  Just do your estate planning and don’t worry about being perfect.

Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen Elville’s work is centered in “estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning with special emphasis in the areas of tax planning and asset protection. As a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, he works to bring peace of mind to clients by creating solutions to their needs through counseling and education using the very best legal-technical knowledge available. He is a seasoned speaker and each year presents at dozens of webinars, workshops, conferences, and continuing education events. Steve has also been named to the Maryland Super Lawyers list eight times, including the past seven consecutive years. Steve is also the founder and president of the firm’s charitable organization, the Elville Center for the Creative Arts, in 2014, a 501(c) (3) organization that partners with school music programs and other organizations such as the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra to give the gift of music to children who want to participate in music but don’t have the means to do so on their own. Steve may be reached at steve@elvilleassociates.com, or by phone at 443-393-7696 x108.

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Many people want to achieve excellence in their estate planning – to establish an estate plan that works as intended – one that will stand the test of time, accomplish personal goals and priorities, provide for the disposition of assets in the desired way to the persons and/or organizations of choice, controlling costs, and setting forth values, ideas, concepts, and aspirations – organized by leading-edge legal-technical concepts that are up to date at the time of death, and guided by highly instructional letters of wishes or memorandums. Yet few people understand the kind of estate planning process necessary for the realization of this ideal, and even fewer people are offered the opportunity to participate in the kind of process necessary to facilitate the same. To say that achieving true excellence in estate planning is akin to successfully sailing around the world alone is not an exaggeration. It takes all of the stuff of legend, including purpose, persistence, patience, and introspection; partnership with your estate planning attorney and an adequate process forward (facilitated by the attorney); maintenance and updating of the estate plan over time; and more. In short, true excellence in estate planning requires being extremely intentional. In this webinar, Stephen R. Elville, Managing Principal and Lead Attorney with Elville and Associates, P.C., will lead a discussion about Intentionalism in estate planning. Topics of discussion will include:

Why being intentional in estate planning matters;

Understanding the risks in estate planning;

Why knowing what you want out of estate planning matters;

Avoiding estate plan failure; Maintenance and updating;

The importance of Partnership

Please click here to register for the presentation and receive the webinar link ahead of time. Should you have any questions beforehand, please contact Community Relations Director Jeff Stauffer at jeff@elvilleassociates.com, or at 443-393-7696, x117.

Open to clients, advisors, and the general public. 1.5 continuing education credits will be available to advisors who attend this presentation. We look forward to hosting you!

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More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

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Maryland ABLE accounts help families and their loved ones with disabilities save for the future without jeopardizing federal, state and local benefits. Join Kelly Nelson, Outreach and Communications Manager from Maryland ABLE, as she shares by webinar the following:

the eligibility criteria and enrollment process;

features of an ABLE account and the account management process;

tax-free savings and tax-free withdrawals for qualified disabilities expenses;

accessing a Maryland state income tax deduction for contributions;

and, how an ABLE account can be used in collaboration with a Special Needs Trust

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

#elvilleeducation #elvillewebinarseries

Posted in Videos & Webinar Recordings | Comments Off on Webinar- Understanding Maryland ABLE Accounts and How They Benefit Your Loved One With Special Needs

A Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) is one option a person may consider to protect their assets from Medicaid and nursing homes or long-term care. 

A MAPT is an irrevocable trust created during your lifetime. The primary goal of a MAPT is to transfer assets to it so that Medicaid will not count these assets toward your resource limit when determining whether you qualify for Medicaid benefits. 

However, creating an irrevocable trust comes with a certain lack of control over the assets you transfer to this trust. Before making such a significant decision, consider some pros and cons to see if this long-term care strategy is right for you. 

Benefits of a MAPT 

1. You Can Still Benefit From the Assets of a MAPT 

Although transfers of assets to a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust cause you to relinquish your ownership and control of them, the finality of the arrangement is not as harsh as it sounds. 
 
In creating a MAPT, you select a person (trustee) who manages the trust assets for your benefit. So, if you transfer investment accounts to the MAPT, you can still receive the income generated from these investments. If you transfer your home, you can still live there. In exchange for giving up control of your assets to a MAPT, your assets no longer count against you for Medicaid eligibility purposes. 

2. Your Assets Are Safe From Medicaid and Other Long-Term Care Creditors 

Once your assets are in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust and other criteria are met, Medicaid can’t seize them or ask you to spend them down to pay for your nursing home or long-term care costs. These assets also are not subject to Medicaid’s estate recovery program. 

As a result, your heirs can benefit from the assets without the interference of Medicaid or liens it could otherwise file against your estate after you pass. 

3. You Can Choose Your Beneficiaries 

A MAPT also functions as an estate planning tool. This is because you can designate who receives what remains of the trust upon your passing. The beneficiaries you choose will receive the assets per the terms of the trust agreement, and the chances of a probate court getting involved are diminished. 

In addition, you may be able to retain what is called a “limited power of appointment.” This allows you to change who the beneficiaries of the MAPT will be, should your wishes or family circumstances change. 

4. Assets Are Protected From Your Beneficiaries’ Creditors 

Even though you can designate a MAPT’s beneficiaries now, those beneficiaries do not have full access to the trust’s assets because of how it is structured. This also means their creditors do not have access to it. And, if your child is a beneficiary and is going through a messy divorce, neither does their spouse. You can also designate how bequests to beneficiaries can be used. 

5. Protection From Capital Gains Taxes 

A properly drafted Medicaid Asset Protection Trust preserves the full capital gains tax exclusion on the primary residence (currently $250,000 per spouse). Later, when a person’s beneficiaries sell the home, it would be valued at the market price at the date of gifting and not at the original purchase price. This can avoid or significantly minimize the capital gains tax that your heirs may owe. 

Drawbacks of MAPTS 

1. Timing Is Everything 

For a MAPT to function as intended, it needs to be created in advance to avoid the Medicaid lookback period. In most states, this is five years for nursing home or institutional care. In some states, there may also be a lookback period for community Medicaid care (home aides, local programs, etc.). 

If less than five years have elapsed since you created your MAPT, you may still be responsible for some or all of your long-term care costs until sufficient time has passed. 

2. Income From MAPT Is Countable by Medicaid 

Although assets in a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust may not be “countable” by Medicaid toward your resource limit, these assets may still generate income. If this income is payable to you, it may cause you to exceed the income limit permitted in your state. 

If this happens to you, you may have other options, such as utilizing a pooled income trust, or may decide you will contribute partially toward your care. 

3. Giving Up Control Is Non-Negotiable 

A trust will not qualify as a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust if you retain control other than the limited power of appointment that may be permitted in your situation. You must accept that a person you select to act as trustee will manage the trust, distribute funds and income from the trust, and also be the effective owner of the assets. 

In addition, creating a MAPT but not transferring assets to it is ineffective. You need to fully commit to the concept for it to benefit you. 

4. Setting Up a MAPT Is Costly 

Creating and implementing a Medicaid Asset Protection is a complex legal task requiring many hours of work and expenditures made on your behalf. In addition, because MAPTs are tied to individual state and federal laws, the expertise of a qualified Medicaid attorney is essential. 

You should expect that this expertise comes at the cost of several thousand dollars or more. However, your potential savings could be exponentially greater for you and your family. For this reason, the price is often well worth it. 

5. Potential Effects on Care 

It’s important to realize that while the MAPT strategy is designed to preserve assets and wealth, it assumes that a person will rely on Medicaid to pay for a portion of their care. However, Medicaid does not cover all facilities. For example, many assisted living facilities are not licensed as assisted living programs and only accept private pay residents. Thus, relying on Medicaid could affect the choice and quality of care a person may receive. 

The pros and cons discussed above are not exhaustive, and there may be other ones that apply to your situation. Investing in a MAPT is a highly fact-specific process, and MAPTs are not suitable for everyone. 

You should speak with your senior elder law attorney at Elville and Associates to discuss how a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust may affect other benefits you receive, your overall estate plan, its tax consequences, and whether it is right for you. 

To speak with Senior Principal and senior elder law attorney Lindsay V.R. Moss, please click here or call 443-393-7696 x114.  Or, to speak with Managing Principal and Lead Attorney Stephen R. Elville please click here or call 443-393-7696 x108.   

We look forward to being a resource to you and appreciate your interest in Elville and Associates.  

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While a guardian can support the protected person by making important decisions, in some cases, an individual may wish to change or dissolve the arrangement. 

The ward, their family, or other involved people might feel that the guardian is not doing a good job. They may then petition the court for the removal of the guardian, replacing them with another person. 

In other cases, they might think guardianship is no longer appropriate. For instance, if the ward regains the ability to make personal or financial decisions, the guardian’s role may become obsolete. In some cases, the protected person or another individual asserts that guardianship was never needed. A less restrictive option, such as supported decision-making, could be a better fit.

Ending guardianship of an adult requires the court’s involvement. Ultimately, the court decides whether to replace the guardian or disband the guardianship completely, restoring the rights of the person subject to the arrangement. 

Reasons for Removing a Guardian 

The court can end the guardianship of an adult for several reasons. 

• When guardians fail to perform their duties, the court can expel them. For instance, state laws require that guardians file annual reports with the court, describing the protected person’s condition, living situation, and regular activities, and summarizing the guardian’s contact with the ward. When guardians fail to inform the court on a regular basis, the court can remove them. 
• The court can also remove guardians who act improperly, such as those who abuse the individuals under their care. The state can also charge them with a crime when there is evidence of abuse.
• Other grounds for removal include misusing the ward’s income and assets, commingling funds, and failing to manage the protected person’s estate appropriately.
• Disputes between guardians and those they protect are common. In some cases, the guardian and the ward might mutually agree that another person would better fit the role. Voluntarily, the guardian might agree to step down. 

Petitioning the Court

To request the removal of a guardian, the ward, the guardian, or a person affected by the guardianship can petition the court. Then, the court will hold a hearing and issue a decision. 

When the court replaces a ward’s guardian, it maintains that the individual under the guardianship still cannot make personal or financial decisions independently and needs the protection of a responsible person. 

In contrast, the court ends the guardianship of the adult altogether when it finds that the ward can make independent choices. 

Ending the Guardianship 

The court ends the guardianship of an adult when it finds that the person no longer needs a guardian because of a change in circumstances. 

For example, the court might find that a person who does not have an active power of attorney for health care needs a guardian when the person becomes incapacitated due to a severe illness. If an individual becomes unconscious or cannot communicate for an extended period, a trusted person might need to make medical decisions and handle money on the incapacitated person’s behalf. When the ward’s health improves such that they can express their wishes, assistance with decisions is no longer necessary. 

In other instances, courts end guardianships by finding that the control was never appropriate. Sometimes, individuals feel that a court’s initial decision to order guardianship was wrong and challenge it. They can file a petition for termination with the court that oversees the case. Following a hearing, the court decides whether to terminate the guardianship, change its terms, or maintain the arrangement. 

To learn more about ending guardianship of an adult or removing a guardian, be sure to speak to the elder law attorneys at Elville and Associates.  They will listen to your situation and understand your needs, answer your questions and help you create the bests path forward in the best way possible.  You can reach out to us here or by contacting Senior Principal Lindsay V.R. Moss here or Managing Principal Stephen R. Elville here.

We look forward to being a resource to you and appreciate your interest in Elville and Associates. 

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In installment 14 of the Elville Webinar Series’ Wellness Series, we will celebrate your highlights of 2022 and explore the many ways to incorporate gratitude into daily life. Consider how this can help your mindset, the stress and anxiety you feel, your sleep, your outlook, and your overall health. Let’s wrap up 2022 on a high note!

Featuring nationally renowned speakers Ms. Ellen Platt, a certified Aging LifeCare Manager and President of The Option Group, and Dr. Michelle Fritsch, a board certified, doctoral trained health professional and founder of Retirement Wellness Strategies, this presentation is one you will not want to miss!

More Webinars from Elville and Associates

The education of clients and their families through counseling and superior legal-technical knowledge is the mission of Elville and Associates.  We hold multiple educational events every month. Click to view our calendar of educational webinars and events or visit the Elville and Associates YouTube channel to view recordings of our past webinars.

#elvilleeducation #elvillewebinarseries

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By: Shannon K. Mumaw – Associate Attorney

One of the first questions people ask when they discover they have been appointed as the personal representative under a loved one’s Last Will and Testament or as the trustee under a Trust is – “What do I have to do?”

Serving as a personal representative or trustee can be rather daunting at times, but the important thing to remember is that your loved one chose you to fulfill that role for a reason. Broadly speaking, a Personal Representative and a Trustee are one and the same – a fiduciary. He or she has a general duty to distribute the decedent’s estate in accordance with the terms of the will or trust and 

in accordance with applicable law. He or she is entrusted with wrapping up the decedent’s final affairs and carrying out the decedent’s final wishes.  So, what does all this really mean? As all attorneys love to say – “it depends.” The specific duties will depend on several factors such as the type of assets in the decedent’s estate, the beneficiaries and the family dynamic amongst those beneficiaries, and the individually tailored terms of the will or trust. Each estate is unique, and no two estates are exactly alike – one could say an estate is like a snowflake in this regard.

For example, serving as personal representative or trustee may include assisting with the funeral arrangements and payment thereof; collaborating with financial advisors to liquidate or retitle assets while assessing any tax implications that may result; selling or retitling real property; sorting through tangible personal property to ensure its proper distribution; and ensuring that all proper tax returns are filed and any applicable taxes are paid. The duties of the personal representative or trustee can vary drastically and will depend on the nature of the assets.

However, there are certain legal requirements that someone serving as a personal representative or trustee must fulfill regardless of the nature of the assets. He or she has a responsibility to notify all qualified beneficiaries that he or she has been appointed as the personal representative and/or trustee and that said beneficiary has certain legal rights. This is done either through the Register of Wills for a will, or directly by the trustee or their attorney for a trust.

A person serving as personal representative and/or trustee may also bear the responsibility of publishing a notice to creditors and facilitating the payment of any valid claims. The fiduciary does not incur any personal liability for the payment of the decedent’s debts, but they do have the responsibility to fairly consider the interests of all creditors and use the decedent’s assets to facilitate the settlement of any creditor’s claims that are brought to their attention in a timely manner.

The person serving as a personal representative and/or trustee may be required to produce a full accounting of all the decedent’s assets and any expenses incurred throughout the entire administration. Additionally, depending on the total value of the decedent’s probate assets, there may be additional requirements to satisfy and report to the Register of Wills.  

It is important to recognize that a fiduciary not only has the responsibility of ensuring all administration requirements are fulfilled, but that they must do so with a certain standard of care. A fiduciary must exercise their duties with the care, skill, and due diligence of a reasonably prudent person dealing with his or her own property. They must exercise good faith and loyalty to all beneficiaries, and not engage in self-dealing. Such standard of care also includes the maintenance of full and accurate records throughout the entirety of the administration process.

Serving as a personal representative and/or trustee is not an easy job. As a fiduciary, you are held to a high standard and are expected to take on an extensive number of tasks. Although it is a great honor to be the one selected for such a role, it does not come without great responsibility. As such, if you find yourself inheriting the responsibility of a personal representative and/or trustee, I highly recommend seeking legal representation to assist and guide you through the administration process.

Shannon K. Mumaw is an Associate Attorney with Elville and Associates and the leader of the firm’s busy Estate and Trust Administration Department. Through her guidance, she partners with clients as they address the sometimes complex matters of the administration of loved ones’ estates from start to finish, including helping navigate the probate process, inventory and information reports, accountings, and much more. Shannon may be reached at smumaw@elvilleassociates.com, or by phone at 443-393-7696 x116.

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