Estate Planning With Sheri

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Estate Planning With Sheri

My mission is to empower my clients to protect their legacy by making planned decisions through Estate Planning and Elder Law.

Sheri concentrates her practice in the areas of estate and tax planning, asset protection planning, business succession planning, corporate, elder law, probate, guardianship, trust and estate administration, special needs planning and Medicaid planning. She has over 18 years of experience providing counsel to business owners, individuals and families. Sheri owns and manages her own practice, Estate Planning With Sheri Montecalvo located in Providence, RI. Sheri takes pride in serving as a trusted advisor to her long-standing clients and their future family generations. She will see her clients through the entire process from document creation, re-titling of assets and complete estate/trust administration.

10/09/2026

Financial advisors, as you review your clients’ accounts and goals from the past year, you may also hear about changes like a new home, a growing family, a divorce, an inheritance or a significant shift in assets.

Those are all good opportunities to ask, does your estate plan still reflect your life today?

A client may already have a will or trust in place, but that doesn’t always mean the plan is still working the way it should. The people they named may no longer be the right choices, assets may not be properly aligned with the plan or important documents may no longer reflect their current wishes.

That’s why year-end reviews can be such a good time to bring estate planning back into the conversation.

If something comes up during a client review that makes you think their plan may need another look, I’m always happy to be a resource!

09/30/2026

If your spouse passed away tomorrow, would you be able to access the money in their bank accounts?

It’s something most married couples probably don’t think twice about. You share a home, share expenses and pay the same bills, so it’s natural to assume you’d have access to those funds.

But if an account is held solely in your spouse’s name, that may not be the case.

And while the legal process plays out, unfortunately life doesn’t pause. The mortgage is still due. Household bills still need to be paid. Funeral expenses and other unexpected costs may arise. Being married, or even being named in a will, doesn’t necessarily give you immediate access to an individually owned bank account.

That’s why part of estate planning should be asking a very practical question: If something happened to me tomorrow, would my family have access to the money they need?

Reviewing account ownership, appointing a Power of Attorney (to have access in the event of your incapacitation during lifetime) and beneficiary designations now can prevent an unnecessary financial hurdle later. Depending on your circumstances, joint ownership or a Payable on Death (POD) designation may allow funds to pass directly to your spouse (or other beneficiary) without probate.

These are relatively simple things to review now, but they can make a big difference for your family later.

If you're not sure how your accounts would be handled, I’m happy to look at your estate plan together and make sure everything is set up the way you intend.

09/15/2026

What do you do when your parent’s care needs change and the cost changes with them?

I recently came across a post from a woman whose mom was living in a nursing home. She was told her mom now needed to move to a specialized care unit, which would bring the cost of her care to $13,000 per month.

The daughter was looking for help. She needed to understand how her family could afford that level of care and whether there were other placement options available.

This is the kind of situation families can find themselves facing with very little time to prepare.

At Elder Law Collaborative, we help families navigate these decisions by looking at both the care needs and the financial picture.

Our services include:

• Developing strategies to help manage the cost of long-term care
• Reviewing financial resources and available options
• Helping families navigate care and placement decisions
• Coordinating care and advocating for an aging loved one
• Managing bills and providing ongoing financial oversight

The right solution may involve a change in placement, a different approach to paying for care or a combination of strategies.

If your parent’s care needs have changed and you’re trying to figure out where they should go, how to pay for it or what options are available, Elder Law Collaborative can help you navigate the next steps.

Learn more about our services at elderlawcollaborative.com

09/11/2026

How is it already back-to-school time?

After a summer of later nights, trips, camps and a little less structure, September always feels like a wonderful reset.

New teachers, new schedules, new activities and a calendar that somehow fills up overnight.

And with all that comes the usual list of things parents need to get organized for the year ahead. It’s also a good time to check in on some of the bigger things you may not think about as often, like your estate plan.

Fall family checklist:
☐ Update school and activity schedules
☐ Make sure emergency contacts are current
☐ Review who you have named as guardian for your children
☐ Review your will and any trusts
☐ Check beneficiary designations on life insurance and retirement accounts
☐ Review your powers of attorney and health care documents
☐ Consider whether your life insurance coverage still fits your family
☐ Make sure your estate plan reflects any changes in your family or finances

Life changes quickly when you have kids and your estate plan should grow with your family. As you settle into a new school year, it may be worth taking a few minutes to make sure your family’s plans are up to date, too.

If you’re not sure whether your estate plan still fits your family, I’m happy to help you take a closer look. Feel free to reach out with questions or to schedule a review! Wishing you and your family a wonderful school year!

08/31/2026

A wonderful evening at our Probate & Trust Administration Seminar. We had the opportunity to talk through some of the issues that can come up when real estate becomes part of an estate. From when probate is required to the roles of executors and trustees, we covered topics that can help both professionals and families feel more prepared.

For Realtors in particular, having a better understanding of the probate process can make a tremendous difference when helping clients with the sale of an inherited home during an already difficult time.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We truly enjoyed spending the evening with you and appreciate you being part of it.

If you were unable to attend and have questions about the probate or trust administration process, I’m always happy to connect.

08/21/2026

Inherited homes come with more than just a "For Sale" sign. As Realtors, understanding the probate process can help you better guide your clients through one of life's most difficult transitions.

You're often one of the first professionals families turn to after losing a loved one. Along with preparing a home for sale come questions about who has the legal authority to sell it, whether probate is required, how long the process takes and what needs to happen before a transaction can move forward.

On Tuesday, August 25th I'll be hosting a free Probate & Trust Administration Seminar to help answer those questions. We'll walk through what happens after someone passes away, how real estate is handled as part of an estate, the role of executors and trustees, common probate timelines and situations that can complicate the process, such as out-of-state property.

Whether you're a Realtor looking to better support your clients or someone who has been named an executor or trustee, I hope you'll join us for an informative discussion.

Complimentary dinner will be served. I look forward to seeing you there!

To RSVP please email [email protected]

08/17/2026

We’ve been helping incoming college students get legally prepared for campus life all summer. Are you legally ready for this next chapter?

You’ve got your dorm decor picked, your classes lined up, and you’re counting down to move-in day. It's such an exciting time, but there’s one part of adulthood no one talks about: once you turn 18, you’re legally an adult. That means parents or guardians can’t automatically step in if there’s an emergency (medical, financial, or academic) unless the right documents are in place.

Here’s what we make sure every student has before heading to campus:

✅ Health Care Proxy - Grants a trusted adult the legal right to make medical decisions if needed.

✅ HIPAA Authorization - Ensures doctors can share medical info with your chosen adult.

✅ Durable Power of Attorney - Lets someone act on your behalf for financial or legal matters.

✅ FERPA Release - Allows your school to share grades, billing info, or academic updates with a parent or guardian.

✅ Basic Will - Provides clarity and ensures your wishes are honored, even at a young age.

We’ve been creating College Readiness Packages throughout the summer, guiding families so students can focus on the excitement of starting college, not legal hurdles.

Adulthood brings freedom and responsibility. With these documents in place, students can step onto campus confident, prepared, and protected, and families can have peace of mind knowing they’re ready for anything.

Want to make sure your student is fully prepared for college? Reach out today to get started on a College Readiness Package before move-in day.

08/13/2026

One week away reminded me why planning ahead matters so much. We recently returned from a beautiful family cruise through the Northeast, Canada and Bermuda - it was a trip we'll be talking about for a lifetime!

From strolling through charming coastal towns like Halifax to watching the coastline from the ship as we sailed from one port to the next, the week gave us a chance to slow down in a way that's hard to do during everyday life. We enjoyed dinners together, explored new places and spent uninterrupted family time filled with laughter and memories in the making.

Now that we're home and unpacked, I keep thinking about how much planning went into making the trip feel effortless once we were actually on it.

Before we left, there were travel documents, reservations, packing lists, confirmations and all the little details that had to be taken care of in advance. None of that was the exciting part of the trip, but it allowed us to relax and enjoy every day once we were there.

In many ways, estate planning is no different.

It's the preparation that happens before you need it. It's making decisions while life is calm instead of waiting until a family is facing stress or uncertainty. It's deciding who would step in if something happened, how your affairs would be handled and making sure the people you love have clear guidance when they need it most.

As an estate planning attorney, I see how often families put these conversations off. Life is busy. Everything feels fine. There always seems to be another priority.

But time has a way of moving quickly. Children grow up. Parents get older. Circumstances change.

Looking back, I'm grateful we handled all of the vacation logistics before we left.

Once the trip began, we weren't worrying about the details. We were simply able to enjoy our time together.

That's what thoughtful planning provides. Whether you're preparing for a vacation or preparing for your family's future, taking care of the important details ahead of time gives you the freedom to focus on what matters most.

If creating or reviewing your estate plan has been on your mind, let this be your reminder. You don't have to wait for a crisis or a major life event. Planning is one of the most meaningful ways you can care for the people you love.

We're back home, settling back into our routine, feeling grateful for a wonderful week together and already looking forward to our next family trip!

07/31/2026

It was a pleasure attending the Heart of RI networking event and connecting with fellow professionals who are equally committed to serving our community. At Estate Planning with Sheri and Elder Law Collaborative, we believe strong relationships and collaboration help us better support Rhode Island families as they plan for the future.

We're grateful for the conversations, new connections and the opportunity to continue serving our community.

07/27/2026

Elder care planning is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of a comprehensive estate and financial plan.

Join Sheri Montecalvo, Esq. as she hosts an educational webinar exploring today's long-term care landscape, why traditional planning methods may no longer be enough and strategies families can use to better protect their wealth, preserve their legacy and make informed care decisions.�

Special guest speaker Talia Cyr, CPFA, will discuss how thoughtful elder care planning can complement your retirement and wealth preservation goals.�

Whether you're planning for yourself, a spouse or a loved one, you'll leave with a better understanding of today's planning options and the confidence to make informed decisions.

We hope you'll join us on Zoom, Thursday, July 30, from 6:00–7:00 PM EST.

Address

272 West Exchange Street, Suite 001
Providence, RI
02903

Website

http://www.estateplanningwithsherimontecalvo.com/

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Contact The Practice

Send a message to Estate Planning With Sheri:

Michael C. Judge, Attorney At Law
2220 Plainfield Pike, Suite 217, Cranston

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