Tag: Community

Matthew McArdle and his wife, Shannon, have established the Franklin County Down Syndrome Society, Inc. (FCDSS)—a not-for-profit corporation organized to benefit and assist individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when an individual has three copies of the 21st chromosome, rather than two. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

Since 2009, the Franklin County Down Syndrome Society has held a walk for Down Syndrome at the Arsenal Green in Malone, New York. Over 200 people walk in this event, and over 300 attend.

In October 2010, Missy McGarger and Eric Viscardo were honorary captains at the annual Saranac Lake/Tupper Lake high school football game, held in Saranac Lake, New York. Missy and Eric, who have Down Syndrome, are both members of the Franklin County Down Syndrome Society.

The mission of the FCDSS is to raise awareness of Down syndrome, provide emotional and financial assistance to individuals with Down syndrome and their families, increase the quality of life of individuals with Down syndrome and promote a positive image of individuals with Down syndrome.

Franklin County Down Syndrome Society

In addition to the legal aspects of being an executor, there are more than 100 steps that must be completed successfully in the role. An outstanding estate attorney is a critical part of the equation, but there are many other important aspects to the job, including selling real estate and personal property, liquidating investments, and managing delicate family relationships. There’s also the seemingly mundane but critical tasks, such as forwarding mail and cancelling memberships and subscriptions.

Executor.org is a free online service created to help executors understand the primary duties of an executor, get and stay organized, and manage the role to successful completion. Matthew H. McArdle, partner at Fischer, Bessette, Muldowney & McArdle, LLP, played an important part in creating the online tool, offering a legal perspective.

In evaluating the final product, McArdle stated, “Executor.org is a valuable resource for Executors to use in navigating the difficult process of administering an estate. It provides extensive practical information, and is a product I will recommend to my clients.”

Patrick O’Brien, CEO of Executor.org, says McArdle provided top-notch legal expertise

“Matthew was an invaluable resource for us. The legal liability around the executor role is very real – so getting the details right was incredibly important. He helped us explain things clearly so users can get their questions answered and avoid problems in court later.”

At Fischer, Bessette, Muldowney & McArdle, LLP., we are always innovating and looking for new resources that can help our clients navigate tough legal issues. We are proud to be a part of the creation of Executor.org, and believe it helps executors reduce their stress, save time and money, and simply be better informed about doing the executor job right.