WASHINGTON, D.C. ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Please join us for the annual Joint Councils meeting, hosted this year by the Northern Virginia EPC, featuring a panel discussion that will explore the complex emotional, psychological, and spiritual dynamics of grief. The session offers estate planners practical methods and tools to offer holistic and empathetic support to clients and their families during profoundly challenging times. Experts in grief counseling, spiritual care, estate planning and end-of-life planning will share insights on:

• Understanding Grief:  Key phases and expressions of grief in response to a devastating diagnosis or impending loss.
• Practical Tools and Resources:  Techniques for addressing emotional and logistical challenges including, legacy planning, bereavement support, and anticipatory grief.
• Communication Strategies:  How to facilitate compassionate and clear conversations with clients and their families about difficult topics.
• Cultural and Spiritual Sensitivities:  Recognizing and respecting diverse cultural, spiritual, and personal approaches to grieving and end-of-life issues.
• Building Resilience:  Empowering clients and their families to find strength, meaning, and connection amidst the pain of loss.

Panelists

Nancy Fagan, CMC, is the Chief Operating Officer of Continuum Care Strategies, a care consulting organization which serves the entire age, ability, and financial spectrum.  As a certified care manager, Nancy brings over 30 years of experience in the long-term care field.  Her diverse expertise spans facilities management, care management, accreditation, business development, legistaltive advocacy, and financial partnerships.  Nancy is known for her calm, collaborative approach, having served as the leader of the largest care management organization in the Metro D.C. area before forming Continuum Care Strategies in 2023.
 

Melinda Merk, JD, LLM, CFP, AEP, provides holistic multi-generational income and wealth transfer tax planning advice and estate and trust services to individuals, families, and business owners. She also advises fiduciaries and beneficiaries on probate and estate and trust administration, and serves as a technical expert on estate and trust litigation matters. Melinda has over two decades of experience in the estates and trusts area, and brings a unique and diverse perspective from her work in private law practice, Big Four accounting firms, and private banking/trust services. With her focus on advising clients in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection, business succession and pre-sale planning and charitable giving, Melinda pursues her passion for helping clients and their families successfully navigate the process to protect and preserve their wealth.

Fran Tilton Shelton is co-founder of Faith & Grief Ministries, a 501(c)3 that provides opportunities of comfort and hope to those who have experienced the death of a loved one. She facilitates grief workshops and seminars across the country and speaks  at conferences and retreats.  She also serves as parish associate at First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, TX and as a spiritual director. Fran served three Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations in Texas.  She received her Master of Divinity (1993) and Doctor of Ministry (2007) from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, Texas. 

Moderator

Chris Pintauro, CEPA, is responsible for Bessemer Trust's client relationships in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as the management of the Washington, D.C., office. Prior to joining Bessemer, Chris was Vice President at Goldman Sachs, responsible for managing the assets of high-net-worth families and institutional clients. Before that, he served as a flight officer in the U.S. Navy and volunteered to serve with the Army Special Forces in Baghdad. Chris earned various medals and commendations for his time in service. Chris earned an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina and a B.S., with honors, in economics from the United States Naval Academy, where he was a member of the men’s varsity lacrosse team. He holds the Certified Exit Planner Advisor (CEPA) designation.