HOWARD COUNTY ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Every estate planning practitioner faces challenges working with aging and elderly clients and their families. Issues that arise often include diminished physical and mental capacities, lack of necessary health and estate planning documents, and difficulties managing clients’ needs on a day-to-day basis. Through a panel discussion and case study, the Council will explore techniques and resources available to tackle some of these challenges before they become crises.

Topics Will Include:

•  Reviewing Health and Estate Planning Documents – What should be in place and what happens if no documents exist

•  Getting Daily Financial Life in Order – How can you assist your clients and their families in managing financial decisions to provide maximum resources and minimum disruption.

•  Planning for Care and Other Services – What services are available and how they may help your clients before and after healthcare issues arise

Members may host a prospective member guest at no cost.
The program will be presented via Zoom. Connection details and case study will be sent prior to the event.

ABOUT THE PANEL

Mary Hughes, Proprietor, Peace of Mind Solutions LLC
Ms. Hughes is a Daily Money Manager and sole proprietor of Peace of Mind Solutions LLC. She offers the following personalized and confidential services to her clients: estate document organization; financial record keeping, bill payment and account reconciliation, tax document organization, and insurance claim preparation and research. She launched Peace of Mind Solutions because she wants to help other families simplify the organization of their estate. Ms. Hughes’ early career in corporate marketing and market research gave her the experience to manage and operate a successful executive recruitment business focused on market research professionals with her husband over the past 10 years.  Based in Howard County, she graduated from the University of Delaware and is a member of the Coalition of Geriatric Services, the American Association of Daily Money Managers and serving as Treasurer for the Business Women's Network of Howard County.

Ed Nolley, Gilchrist Volunteer
Volunteering at Gilchrist since 2014, Mr. Nolley serves as a Doula and companion to individuals approaching end of life. In addition, he is a leader in Gilchrist's We Honor Veterans Program and has lead hundreds of salute ceremonies for Veterans Day across residential care communities and in the homes of veterans. He is chair of the Gilchrist Ambassador Team whose volunteer members contact organizations regarding end of life decisions, hospice and related aspects and the wonders of Gilchrist. In 2018, Mr. Nolley was named one of the top volunteers for Gilchrist-Greater Baltimore Medical Care Hospital.  Having had a longtime dedication for enhancing the lives of seniors and individuals with special needs, Mr. Nolley started as an orderly at Keswick Multicare Center as a summer employee. He has continued his service to Keswick eventually being elected President of the Board (1998-2003) receiving an award for 50 years of volunteer service. He was named "Keswick Volunteer of the Year in 2004. He continues to serve as a Director Emeritus for both Keswick and the Arc of Baltimore.

Suzanne Simpson, Esq., Simpson Law, PA
Ms. Simpson founded Simpson Law, PA, to provide a compassionate, convenient, and comprehensive way for busy parents and professionals to obtain vitally necessary estate planning and probate/trust administration services in MD, VA and D.C. Prior to establishing Simpson Law, Ms. Simpson worked with Bean Kinney & Korman and Smolen & Plevy, P.C., where her practice focused on estate planning, domestic relations and civil litigation. An active member of the MD NAELA Chapter and the Howard County EPC, Suzanne is Past-President to the Howard County WBA; Past Secretary to the EPC Montgomery County; and was on the Board of Directors for the Olney Chamber of Commerce, where she served as Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee. She was the co-chair of the Estate Planning section of the Howard County Bar Association and was selected for the Leadership Montgomery Class of 2011. Ms. Simpson was a board member for VisArts in Rockville Maryland and serves on the advisory committee for Cornerstone Montgomery.  A graduate of George Mason Law University Law School in 1991, Suzanne served as Law Clerk to the then Chief Judge of Fairfax County, the Honorable Richard J. Jamborsky and the Honorable Thomas S. Kenny. Ms. Simpson also served as Law Clerk to the then Chief Judge of Loudoun County, the Honorable Thomas H. Horne, and the Honorable James H. Chamblin.

Laura Thomas, Esq., Davis, Agnor, Rapaport, Skalny
Ms. Thomas focuses her practice on developing comprehensive estate plans to help clients preserve their legacies. She works with individuals at various stages in their lives, from young professionals to those dealing with the administration of an estate.  Ms. Thomas has a particular affinity for assisting multi-generational business owners preserve and protect the businesses they spent lifetimes building. She serves on various professional committees, including the Maryland State Bar Association Estate and Trust Section Council Legislative Committee and the American Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Division Real Property, Trust, and Estate Committee. She speaks frequently on the Maryland and federal estate tax. Prior to joining Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny. Ms. Thomas practiced estate planning and administration for private clients at a Bethesda law firm. She also served as a Tax Consultant in the Estate Tax Unit at the Comptroller of Maryland where she audited Maryland estate tax returns.