Welcome to starboard legal
we’re glad you’re here
Hello, I’m Erin
I’m many things including a wife, a mom, a yogi, a lifelong learner, and a lawyer. I’ve been practicing law in the public and private sectors for over 15 years, and I am so proud to be combining my legal expertise with my deep-rooted passion for helping people move in the right direction.
I know how many priorities you are likely juggling and how overwhelming it can be to manage the legal aspects of family life. That is why I make it as seamless and pain-free as possible to get your legal documents organized to ensure you make the best decisions for the people you love – no matter what happens.
When life situations change such as marriages, births…and more births, it is critical that families establish a set of directives to ensure their loved ones are protected and that their intentions are documented. As your personal lawyer, we will work together to safeguard your family and protect your legacy.
No one wants to think about something bad happening but if it does, the last thing anyone wants to consider is whether your loved ones and hard earned assets are at risk. Preparing for the “what-ifs” will give you peace of mind in knowing that your most precious assets, your family, will be relieved of any additional legal or financial challenges.
I would love the opportunity to work with you and your family to help steer you in the right direction and to ensure you are protected.
I look forward to hearing from you!
“Erin helped us set up our estate and wills when our first son was born and Erin made the process so painless and even fun. Just having the security of knowing we get to decide what happens to our kids is a real gift.”
“After dealing with a legal battle over my mother’s will when she passed, I realized I never want to put my loved ones through that. Erin helped us get our entire estate set up so we can be sure that our assets will be handled as we see fit, not the state.”
Frequently Asked questions
When it comes to planning an estate or navigating the probate process, we understand that many people may have questions or concerns. Please find some of our Frequently Asked Questions below where we answer some of the most common questions our clients may have.
If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us.
Why would I want to avoid the probate process?
The probate process often includes the following:
proving the validity of a Will
identifying the deceased person's assets
appraising those assets
paying debts and taxes, and, finally
distributing the remaining property as the will (or state law, if there's no will) directs.
The process is often expensive (5% - 7% of the estate’s value!) and lengthy (12-18 months!). That’s a lot of time, money, and stress that can be avoided by ensuring that your assets are owned during your lifetime in a way that works best for you and your family.
When is the right time to create my estate plan?
The right time is NOW!
Creating an estate plan should not be in anticipation or preparation for death. Designing a plan now allows you to calmly and confidently make decisions regarding what you’ve worked so hard to create, whether that be children, investments, business, or all of the above.
Often times I hear people say they don’t have an “estate” to plan for. Here’s the thing, if you’re alive, you need a plan for the unexpected. If you suddenly can’t make medical or financial decisions for yourself then who will make them? Do you want to personally decide who will be responsible or do you want to leave that decision up to the Court system? If you pass away unexpectedly, who will care for your children or prevent your assets from landing in the Commonwealth’s Unclaimed Property Department?
You know you’re the best person to make these decisions so, please, don’t leave it up to the state!
How often should I review my estate plan?
Generally, we suggest that you review your estate plan every 3 - 5 years, or, any time there has been a substantial change in your family or financial situation such as the birth of a child, divorce or remarriage, death of a spouse, or receipt of a substantial inheritance.