Verena Meiser

Ms. Meiser regularly advises clients on all matters related to estate planning, special needs planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law. She works closely with clients to identify their estate planning goals and prepares the necessary Wills and Trusts to implement the clients’ wishes.

Points of Distinction

Ms. Meiser works in close partnership with her clients on the development of their estate plans. Ms. Meiser understands that estate planning conversations about private family matters and finances may be uncomfortable. She meets clients where they are and recognizes that each family is unique. She is there to help.

Her philosophy is holistic. She builds a relationship with her clients and their families, so she has them covered legally and can jump right in should her clients experience an emergency. As part of the planning process, Ms. Meiser offers a family meeting to help all family members and friends named as agents, personal representatives or trustees understand her client's intentions.

Ms. Meiser helps her clients make the decisions that will provide their loved ones financial, emotional and physical protection. Her estate plans provide asset protection and minimize estate and income taxes.

To ensure her clients' estate plans are properly implemented, Ms. Meiser assists her clients with updating beneficiary designations and proper titling of assets. She works closely with the other advisers in her clients' lives, such as their financial advisers, accountants and insurance advisers.

Ms. Meiser guides her clients through the process of choosing the best suited agents and trustees. She is fluent in German and Spanish and welcomes clients who may feel more comfortable in discussing their estate plans in their primary language.

Special Needs Planning

Ms. Meiser understands that planning for special needs individuals is complex. Each case is specific to that person's needs and abilities. Ms. Meiser helps families resolve concerns beyond legal matters.

She focuses on financial security, safe housing, quality caregiving, strong advocates, and providing a structure to give the greatest possible degree of independence for the individual. Ms. Meiser understands the importance of protecting continuing eligibility for available services, such as social security, medical assistance and services with the DDA—the Developmental Disability Administration, as well as home and community based waivers.

Ms. Meiser prepares special needs trusts as the overarching plans for the entire life cycle of the individual. There are several types and Ms. Meiser helps clients choose appropriately. Her trusts are flexible to anticipate future changes in the law and government benefits. She understands the tax code, and how to strategically preserve clients' assets. She addresses the use of ABLE Account, Guardianships and alternatives to Guardianship.

Bar Admissions

Maryland, Arizona, and California

Professional Associations and Memberships

Ms. Meiser is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA), the American Bar Association (ABA) Section on Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section (RPTE), the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the National Associaton of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), and the Howard County Estate Planning Council (HCEPC).

Ms. Meiser is a volunteer attorney with the Maryland Volunteer Legal Services (MVLS).

Awards and Special Achievements

Tennessee Law Review, Materials Editor, 2001-2002

University of Tennessee, College of Law Awards for Extraordinary Achievement in Transactional Tax Planning, Service to the Mediation Clinic, and to the University of Tennessee Pro Bono Hispanic Assistance Project, 2000-2002

Civil Mediator under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31, 2001