Did you know that more than half of the population does not have a will or estate planning document? Life events, such as the birth of a child or grandchild, a family marriage or divorce, the passing of a spouse, or the purchase or sale of a home or business, are all reasons to review and update your will and estate plan to best prepare for the future.

Samaritan is offering a FREE Wills & Estate Planning Workshop on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Samaritan’s headquarters in Mount Laurel (3906 Church Road).

“Many people do not realize the importance of hiring a professional when creating or updating your will,” says Chris Rollins, chief development officer for Samaritan. “Our Wills and Estate Planning Workshop will provide participants with one-of-a-kind access to local estate planning professionals and attorneys, offering their perspectives on the topic. The workshop’s interactive format also gives participants the opportunity to ask questions and have conversations with the right people, so that they can properly plan for their future.”

The workshop is hosted by Samaritan’s Planned Giving Committee, which is comprised of some of the region’s leading financial advisors who volunteer their time and expertise to raise awareness about the potential advantages of charitable estate planning. This year’s workshop panelists include:

• Melissa Osorio Dibble, Esq., Partner, Archer – A graduate of Rutgers University School of Law-Camden, Melissa serves as a partner at Archer and is the current president of the Estate and Financial Planning Council of Southern New Jersey. She concentrates her practice in the area of Estate and Trust Litigation, representing a variety of institutions and individuals, including banks, universities, executors, trustees, beneficiaries of estates and trusts and intestate heirs. She is a member of Samaritan’s Planned Giving Committee.

• Rachel Shaffer Gersie, Esq., Attorney, Fendrick Morgan Law – A graduate of Drexel University School of Law, Rachel joined Fendrick Morgan in 2013 and is a member of the Estate & Financial Planning Council of Southern Jersey. She concentrates her practice in a wide array of estate planning, estate administration, and elder law matters for New Jersey and Pennsylvania clients. She is a member of Samaritan’s Planned Giving Committee.

• Yasmeen S. Khaleel, Esq., Attorney, Capehart Scatchard – A graduate of Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, Yasmeen is an attorney at Capehart Scatchard and serves as chair of its Business & Tax Practice, as well as its Wills, Trusts & Estates Practice. She concentrates her practice in the representation of individuals, business owners, medical, dental and other professionals in the area of estate planning, estate and trust administration, business succession planning, transactional and tax planning. She is a member of Samaritan’s Planned Giving Committee.

Registration for this free workshop is required by Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Those interested in participating can register online at SamaritanNJ.org/WillWorkshop or by contacting Katelin Spooner at (856) 552-3239 or KSpooner@SamaritanNJ.org. More information about the event is also available at SamaritanNJ.org/WillWorkshop.

About Samaritan:

Samaritan is a not-for-profit, independent organization locally founded in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1980 as one of the first hospices in the country. Samaritan is now one of the State’s leading providers of hospice care, palliative (comfort) medicine, at-home primary care, grief support and counseling, advanced illness care, education and advocacy. Samaritan serves people in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties who are coping with the stresses of aging, serious illness or grief wherever they call home. Samaritan also has two dedicated inpatient hospice centers in Voorhees and Mount Holly. Beyond the services covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans, Samaritan annually provides nearly $1M in donor-funded non-reimbursed care for patients and families in the South Jersey region. A thrift shop in Westmont also supports Samaritan services and programs. Samaritan is accredited by The Joint Commission; a member of the National Partnership for Hospice Innovation; and is a four-star hospice in the national We Honor Veterans program. For more information, visit www.SamaritanNJ.org.