Melissa practices in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration and gift and estate taxation. She works with clients to develop and implement estate plans that balance their goals and family circumstances with the objective of minimizing transfer taxes. Her practice also includes advising clients with regard to retirement plan assets, real estate and lifetime gifting techniques. With thoughtful attention and personal care, Melissa assists her clients in preserving their family assets, achieving their philanthropic goals, and providing a tax efficient plan for distribution of their assets.

Notable Experience

Melissa recently assisted a client with respect to leveraged gifts of his business interests. With the use of two successful Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, the client was able to transfer over $4.3 million to a long-term trust for the benefit of his descendants at a cost of only $2 of his lifetime gift tax exemption.

Melissa drafted a Dynasty Trust (which can last indefinitely under Rhode Island law) to control the management and use of a small island for future generations.

Melissa regularly advises clients with respect to the selection of beneficiaries for retirement plans, considering the client’s desires for deferral on income taxes, reduction of estate taxes and management of plan assets. Where appropriate, she incorporates trusts that qualify as designated beneficiaries under IRS regulations.

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

“A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Rhode Island,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., co-editor of 2017 (June) & 2019 (October 29, 2019) supplements.

"Estate Planning for Retirement Benefits", chapter 9 of “A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Rhode Island,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., published 2012, supplements 2017 & 2019.

“Estate Planning Basics,” presenter, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, June 10, 2011.

“Estate Planning Strategies for the Sale of a Family Business,” presenter, Oppenheimer, November 10, 2010.

Personal Interests

Melissa enjoys outdoor activities, including skiing and hiking and spending time with her husband and daughters.