DECATUR, GA, October 18, 2025: Shannon Pawley, Owner of The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm, has posted a new article on the law firm’s website entitled “The Risks of Joint Accounts Between Parents and Children,” in which Ms. Pawley encourages safer alternatives.

Pawley notes that, “One method many aging parents have experimented with as a tool for managing finances, paying bills, or preparing for potential incapacity is opening a joint bank account with an adult child. Unfortunately,” she adds, “this single action, despite how practical it seems, can create significant legal, financial, and emotional risks. From estate disputes to creditor exposure and Medicaid complications, joint accounts with children can lead to severe unintended consequences.”

According to Pawley, “One of the most common misunderstandings about joint accounts is what happens to the money in the account upon the parent’s death.” She continues,  “In many cases, the surviving joint account holder—the child—automatically becomes the sole owner of the funds, even if the parent has a will that directs a different distribution. This “right of survivorship” Pawley writes, “can override estate plans and create serious disputes among siblings or other heirs who feel excluded or unfairly treated.”

Additionally, Pawley writes about creditor risks as well as how joint accounts with a child can make a parent ineligible for Medicaid.

The entire article can be read here: The Risks of Joint Accounts Between Parents and Children

About The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm

The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm was established to serve the legal needs of retiring citizens. The Firm focuses its entire practice on providing strategies to protect independence, privacy, assets and taxes from the government. Shannon Pawley has grown her law practice by providing excellent customer satisfaction with personalized wealth protection plans.

About Shannon M. Pawley, J.D., LL.M

Shannon is the Owner and CEO of The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm. Originally from the Tidewater area of Virginia, she grew up in a close-knit family with a strong tradition of military service. She learned early on the importance of integrity, hard work, and giving back to her community. Her upbringing shaped her desire to make a positive impact and instilled a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that every individual is treated with respect and care.

Her passion for serving others took root during her junior year of high school, when she served as a U.S. House of Representatives Page during the 101st Congressional Session in Washington, D.C. This life-changing experience opened her eyes to the power of diverse perspectives and the importance of advocating for those whose voices are often unheard. Inspired by the experience, Shannon decided to pursue a career in law, dedicated to guiding others through life’s most challenging moments.

Shannon’s educational journey led her to North Carolina Wesleyan College, where she earned her undergraduate degree, followed by a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. She then specialized further, obtaining an LL.M. in Taxation from Wayne State University. Licensed to practice in both Michigan and Georgia, Shannon is also a VA Accredited Attorney, making her a formidable advocate for her clients.

Throughout her career, Shannon has been a fierce champion for clients from all walks of life, representing everyone from international corporations to single parents. She has always been driven by a profound belief that everyone deserves to have their rights and wishes honored, especially when they are most vulnerable. Whether advocating in the courtroom or guiding families through complex legal decisions, Shannon’s mission is clear: to protect the dignity and independence of every client she serves.

Her passion for advocacy goes beyond legal representation—it’s about ensuring that people’s voices are heard, even when they may not be able to speak for themselves. Shannon is deeply committed to helping her clients age with dignity, grace, and independence, working tirelessly to prepare them and their families for the complexities of aging. Her work is more than a profession; it is a calling to serve, empower, and uplift every individual and family she has the privilege to represent.