I have chosen to focus my practice in the area of elder law and estate planning as a result of a family history of both dementia and cancer. Although often the concerns and goals the client and family have are common, each person comes to me with a unique history, and with a personal, legal, and financial situation that is his or hers alone. I enjoy the process of bringing my knowledge of the law and community resources to bear in crafting a plan that will work for my clients and my client’s family.
I provide families with representation regarding long term care, Medicaid, and Veteran’s Benefits, as well as expertise on capacity issues, elder abuse, financial concerns, and other areas of law of primary interest to elders. I assist those concerned with the high cost of care to plan for ways to pay for care, as well as ways to qualify for government benefits without becoming impoverished.
I have practiced as an attorney on the Peninsula since 1993. One of my passions is public speaking; I am a frequent lecturer and have taught various elder law subjects to other lawyers, CPAs and accountants, and financial professionals, for continuing credit. I enjoy speaking to community groups on a wide variety of subjects related to elder law and estate planning.
I previously sat on the Board of Directors for Peninsula Agency on Aging and am a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). I am a member (and twice past president) of the Virginia Chapter of NAELA; I was pleased to be elected twice as President of the York-Poquoson Bar Association. I sat on the Board of Directors for the ARC of the Virginia Peninsula, the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center, and Williamsburg area Meals on Wheels.
My husband and I have lived on the Peninsula since 1992. We raised our daughters here, and have one daughter and two grandsons still in the Tidewater area. I am struggling to re-learn playing music, the horn. I enjoy estate sales, minor league baseball (The Peninsula Pilots), and college (Clemson) and pro (the Cleveland Browns; exciting times) football