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Dear Friends:
My name is Laura Moldowan, and I am the owner and founder of Dominion Wealth Law. In determining the most effective estate plan for my clients, it is necessary for me to understand the families I serve on a very personal level.
Consequently, I believe it is important for my clients to know something about my personal background. Because of my own personal history, I understand first hand how critical estate planning is for all stages of life. Additionally, I understand complex family dynamics.
Special Needs Planning
I understand the importance of planning for special needs, as my older brother, Robbie, who was two years older than me, was severely autistic. He required special schooling, and never learned to talk. Because of this disability, he receives significant governmental benefits. If property were left to him without the use of a special needs trust, this would jeopardize his entitlement to various state and federal governmental benefits.
All types of families have family members affected by a disability. You might think that disability would only strike a family once. However, this was not the case in my family. My younger brother Steven (high school valedictorian) married fellow Dukie Kim (high school valedictorian). Several years ago, they discovered that their son Alex was severely autistic and suffers from Tuberous Sclerosis. My younger brother Steven has both a brother and a son who are effected by autism. Consequently, our family needs to make special provisions for two family members.
Complexities of the Blended Family
I also understand the complexities of a blended family. When I was a teenager my parents divorced, and my father remarried. He had three children from his first marriage and two children from his second marriage. My father wanted to provide for the needs of his wife and children from two marriages. On a very personal level, I understand the complexities of balancing the needs of a blended family. In many cases, the use of a marital trust and/or other estate planning strategies can be useful in the blended family situation.
Planning for Incapacity
I also understand the importance of planning for incapacity. Shortly before I went to college, my grandmother came to live with our family because she suffered from dementia and was unable to care for herself. For ten long years, my mother took care of my grandmother with very little assistance. There was no long-term care policy in place and, consequently, the cost of an assisted living facilities was out of reach. The emotional and physical toll this placed upon my mother was tremendous.
I understand how the purchase of a long-term care policy would have relieved some of the burdens imposed upon my mother. Additionally, the use of a revocable living trust, durable power of attorney and advance medical directive can also be very effective in allowing caretakers to have access to assets to pay bills and to make medical care decisions.
I understand how important the people you love are to you. I look forward to working with you and assisting you with all of your estate planning and business planning needs. Contact me today for a free initial consultation.
Sincerely,
Laura G. Moldowan
