What is estate planning? How do we work with your clients?
Think of the core of your estate plan as having two spheres. There’s the sphere …
A law firm dedicated to
Estate Planning & Asset Protection, Disability & Special Needs Planning, Elder Law, Estate Administration, Trust Creation & Administration, & Trustee Support.
how we can help
Our Practice Areas
Trusts – Establishment of New Trusts, Updates for Existing Trusts
Trusts are part of most estate plans. Trusts can be included to achieve estate and gift tax planning goals and provide asset protection. They can also manage an inheritance for a minor child or for a person with special needs who is eligible for government benefits.
Trustee Support
We provide support to Trustees and Successor Trustees to help them meet their responsibilities as fiduciaries. Such assistance includes attention to income and estate tax matters, communications with beneficiaries and distributions, as well as management of trust property.
Estate Planning and Asset Protection
We develop estate plans that meet our clients’ goals and address their concerns. Our approach is to work in close partnership with our clients. The planning process begins with in person reviews and discussions of drafts and ends with an optional family meeting, to share the overall plan with family members. Wondering what estate planning is all about? Click here to read our recent article!
Probate / Estate Administration
Estate Administration under supervision of the Superior Court for the county where the decedent lived involves all of the decedent’s property that they owned in their sole name at the time of their death. Probate is not required for property held in trust or for property with a beneficiary designation. We assist the Personal Representative (often referred to as Executor) with their duties from opening the probate estate through the closing.
Elder Law
Our elder law practice focuses on estate planning for aging clients or those who develop a disability during life. Such planning entails setting up the documents that authorize trusted family members, friends, or professionals to make healthcare decisions and handle financial matters when the client lacks the capacity to handle these themselves. We address long-term care planning options based on clients’ financial resources. Some need to prepare for government benefits, such as the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS).
Special Needs Planning
Our Comprehensive planning for special needs individuals focuses on financial security, safe housing, quality caregiving, strong advocates, and providing a structure that gives the greatest degree of independence possible to the individual. We develop special needs trusts-that provide the overarching plans for the entire life cycle of the individual. There are several types; we help clients choose appropriately.
About me
Meet verena
I regularly advise clients on all matters related to estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law. I work closely with clients to identify their estate planning goals and prepare the necessary Wills and Trusts to implement my clients’ wishes. I have been a partner at Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser, LLC www.lohmlaw.com since January 1, 2019
I work in close partnership with my clients on the development of their estate plans. I understand that estate planning conversations about private family matters and finances may be uncomfortable. I meet my clients where they are and recognize that each family is unique. I am there to help.
My philosophy is holistic. I build a relationship with my clients and their families, so I have them covered legally and can jump right in should my clients experience an emergency. As part of the planning process, I offer a family meeting to help all family members and friends named as agents, personal representatives or trustees understand my client’s intentions.
To ensure my clients’ estate plans are properly implemented, I assist my clients with updating beneficiary designations and proper titling of assets. I work closely with the other advisers in their lives, such as their financial advisers, accountants and insurance advisers.
I understand that planning for special needs individuals is complex. Each case is specific to that person’s needs and abilities. I help families resolve concerns beyond legal matters. I prepare special needs trusts as the overarching plans for the entire life cycle of the individual. There are several types and I help clients choose appropriately. The trusts I draft are flexible to anticipate future changes in the law and government benefits.
I understand the importance of protecting continuing eligibility for available services, such as social security, medical assistance and services with the DDA, as well as home and community-based waivers.
I am excited to offer my estate planning services in Arizona, through Meiser Law PLLC (www.meiserlawpllc.com), and in Maryland, as a founding partner of the law firm Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt & Meiser, LLC (www.lohmlaw.com).
Latest Clips
Videos
CLICK TO VIEW ALL VIDEOS
- Life Planning Session: Legal Issues for Seniors
- Charitable Remainder Trusts: Why set up a trust to handle a charitable donation?
- We Just Became Parents. Do We Need Wills?
- You became the Trustee of a trust. Congratulations! Now what ?
- Are you a Veteran and concerned how to cover cost of care long term? What is a VAPT for?
- Do I Need Power of Attorney?
- What is a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)
- We Want Our Children To Inherit Everything We Have. What If The Survivor of us Changes That Plan?
Our blog
Articles
You became the Trustee of a trust. Congratulations! Now what?
Did you just become the trustee of a loved one’s trust, or of a trust …
Why Set Up a Trust to Handle a Charitable Donation?
The main reason is that the Grantor, the person setting up the trust, gets income …
Should you Consider a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)?
Change is coming to estate and gift tax laws. Should you consider a Spousal …
We Want Our Children To Inherit Everything We Have. But What If The Survivor Of Us Changes That Plan?
Many married couples envision that their children will someday inherit what remains of their estate, …
Do I Need Power of Attorney?
Any time during our adult life, we could experience periods when our capacity is diminished …
We Just Became Parents. Do We Need Wills?
I often get contacted by young parents who wonder if they need a Will. …
How to Plan for Upcoming Changes in Estate Tax Law
Can a Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (a SLAT) capture the current estate tax exemption? And …
How the SECURE Act impacts your plan for your retirement accounts. It is a good time to review.
The passage of the SECURE Act left many wondering if their estate planning documents need …
Advantages of Having a Separate Retirement Plan Trust
As you are planning how to leave your IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or other qualified retirement …
The Movement to Improve End-of-Life Health Care Planning
A nationwide movement has been underway since the late 1990s to improve end-of-life health care …
What our clients say
testimonials
Verena did all if our legal documents: wills, health power, etc.
She is excellent: efficient, timely, accurate, open to legal options to spend time to explain and offer as options for us, a good listener, pleasant to work with, collaborative at all times, respectful.
I knew nothing about estates, wills, advance directives and many other things Verena taught me about, but I knew I needed to have everything ready in case something were to happen to me. My main concern was my special needs son. I soon realized Verena was an expert in supplemental needs trusts which was exactly what I needed. She understood my situation perfectly and explained the available legal instruments she recommended to suit my needs. Did a great job!
Verena explained very clearly the complexities of the will and advanced directive for my wife and myself. Very knowledgeable and personable, would recommend her to anyone.
Professional SKills
Qualifications
Education
- J.D. University of Tennessee College of Law
- M.Sc. Computer Science, Vanderbilt University
- M.Sc. Applied Mathematics, Claremont University
- B.A. Mathematics, Bryn Mawr College
Volunteer Work
- Pro Bono Will, Medical Directives and Powers of Attorney
- Volunteer Attorney, Maryland Volunteer Legal Services (MVLS)
Bar and Court Admission & Other Accreditations
State Bar Admissions:
- Arizona
- California
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
professional memberships
- State Bar of Arizona
- State Bar of California
- California Lawyers Association (CLA)
- Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
- DC Bar Association
- Howard County Estate Planning Council (HCEPC)
- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
Languages
- English
- Spanish
- German
