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, Estat

e 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.

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.

07/17/2026

Event Update: This seminar will now take place on Tuesday, August 25th from 5:30-7:30 PM. Inherited homes come with more than just a "For Sale" sign. Understanding the probate process can help you better guide your clients through one of life's most difficult transitions.

As Realtors, 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 lunch will be served and seating is limited. I look forward to seeing you there!

07/01/2026

One of the most talked-about rom-coms of the summer, Voicemails for Isabelle, was recently released on Netflix, and if you haven't watched it yet, it's worth adding to your list.

The story follows Jill, who is struggling to cope with the loss of her sister, Isabelle. To stay connected to her, Jill continues calling Isabelle's old phone number and leaving voicemails about her life, her grief, and everything she wishes she could still say.

But one scene in particular stayed with me.

Jill loses access to the voicemails she had saved from Isabelle. In an instant, recordings of her sister's voice, something she can never recreate, are gone.

That scene hit a very personal chord for me.

After losing my parents, hearing their voices became one of my greatest sources of comfort. I saved every voicemail I had from them and even recorded backups because I was afraid they could one day be accidentally deleted or lost if something happened to my phone.

Those recordings aren't financially valuable.

But to me, they're priceless.

As an estate planning attorney, it also reminded me how much of our lives now exist digitally.

The photos we take every day. Videos of our children and grandchildren. Saved voicemails. Text messages. Emails. Social media accounts. Years of memories often live behind passwords, cloud storage, and devices that no one else knows how to access.

When most people think about estate planning, they focus on their home, retirement accounts, investments, and other tangible assets. But digital assets have become an important part of what we leave behind.

That's one of the reasons the estate planning documents at Estate Planning with Sheri specifically address digital assets. The powers granted in our wills, trusts, and powers of attorney include provisions that can help ensure the people you've chosen have the legal authority to access important digital accounts.

If something happened to you, would the people you love know where those memories are stored? Would they be able to access them? It's an important conversation to have and one that's becoming increasingly important in today's digital world.

06/22/2026

A recent situation involving a new client reminded me why reviewing beneficiary designations matters so much.

Years after a divorce was finalized, an ex-spouse was still listed as the beneficiary on a financial account.

The client assumed their estate plan and divorce decree had taken care of everything. Unfortunately, beneficiary designations often operate independently from your will or trust.

It's one of the most overlooked parts of estate planning.

Life changes. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths, and new relationships happen, but beneficiary forms are often forgotten. When that happens, assets may pass in ways you never intended.

Reviewing your beneficiary designations only takes a few minutes, but failing to do so can have lasting consequences for the people you love.

Fortunately, when this new client came to us, our review uncovered the outdated beneficiary designation, allowing them to make the necessary changes before it became a larger problem.

It's a good reminder that even if you already have an estate plan in place, beneficiary designations should be reviewed regularly, especially after a major life event.

If you haven't reviewed your estate plan, beneficiary designations, and account ownership recently, now may be a good time to do so.

When was the last time you reviewed yours?

Estate Planning with Sheri Montecalvo has been helping Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut families protect what matters most for over two decades. If you're ready to create or update your estate plan, we're here to help.

06/04/2026

Your graduate may be ready for adulthood, but is adulthood ready for them? Here's what every family should know before a child turns 18.

Between graduation parties, final exams, college plans, job applications, and celebrating everything they've accomplished, there's one important milestone that often gets overlooked.

The moment your child turns 18, they become a legal adult.

Whether they're heading to college, the military, the workforce, or taking time to figure out their next step, this change affects every young adult the same way.

That means your parents or guardians can’t automatically step in to help if there’s an emergency. Medical, financial, or even academic unless the right documents are in place.

Here’s what you really need before graduation:

Health Care Proxy
This gives your parent (or whoever you choose) the legal right to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to. It’s a huge relief to know someone you trust is already in place if you need backup.

HIPAA Authorization
Without this, doctors and hospitals can’t share your medical info ... even with your parents. A HIPAA form ensures they can speak openly and get answers if you’re in the hospital.

Durable Power of Attorney
From helping with financial aid forms to handling banking hiccups or lease questions, this document lets someone act on your behalf for legal and financial matters.

FERPA Release
Colleges won’t share grades, billing info, or let your parents know if you’ve missed class (okay, maybe you don't want them to know that one), unless you give permission. A FERPA release ensures your chosen adult can communicate with your school when needed.

Basic Will
It may feel like you're too young, but having a simple will is just smart planning. It provides clarity and direction if something were to happen, and makes sure your wishes are known and honored.

I know this is the stuff that doesn't get mentioned at graduation parties.

That's why we've created a Young Adult Planning Package designed specifically for graduates and their families. It helps ensure the right people can step in and help when it matters most, providing peace of mind as your young adult begins this next chapter.

Adulthood comes with new opportunities, greater independence, and important legal changes that many families don't anticipate. Taking care of these documents now can help prevent unnecessary stress and uncertainty later.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! I'm excited about your next chapter and look forward to helping you start it with confidence.

If you'd like to learn more about our Young Adult Planning Package or get started, fill out the form below and we'll be in touch.

Address

272 West Exchange Street, Suite 001
Providence, RI
02903

Website

http://www.estateplanningwithsherimontecalvo.com/

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

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