Chesterfield, MO
Erin Johnston
Erin Johnston joined Addiction is Real in late 2022 with over 25 years’ experience leading nonprofit organizations focused on under resourced communities/health & wellness. Erin holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, earned the Certified Fundraising Executive designation in 2017, and the Missouri Prevention Specialist Certification in 2019. Her career has focused on providing community change, resource development, creating economic development opportunities, education, awareness, and advocacy by bringing the right people to the table. This collaborative approach has led to major changes in legislation in St. Louis County – which has been replicated across the United States. Erin’s love for community and passion to make life better and safer for youth and vulnerable families has led her to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors for the St. Louis County Police Athletic League (PAL) and to accept a 3-year appointment to the nine member St. Louis County Crime Commission. The Addiction is Real mission is personal to Erin, her husband Jim and her son, Jrue – whose paternal grandmother lost her battle with heroin in 2006 and whose aunt and uncle are currently justice involved due to issues stemming from Fentanyl addiction.
Meredith strives to understand what her clients are working towards, so she can help them create the right plan for their assets. In estate planning, the work is often personal and her clients appreciate her empathy. Meredith treats her clients like family; always thinking about what advice she would give her own mother or father.
Meredith helps clients develop estate plans, navigate probate court, litigate fiduciary matters, and represents clients in matters related to taxation law and real estate. Meredith assists clients with the administration of trusts and estates, and works with clients on estate planning through the creation of wills, revocable trusts, special needs trusts, irrevocable trusts (including irrevocable insurance trusts and asset protection trusts), powers of attorney, the use of lifetime gifting, charitable foundations, and closely-held business succession planning. Meredith also represents clients in the negotiation of leases, and sales and acquisitions of real estate.
Meredith works with clients on post-death trust and probate administration, including administering trusts, filing estate tax returns, opening and administering probate estates, and estate and trust accountings. She also appears before the probate court to obtain and administer conservatorship and guardianship estates for disabled adults.
In matters of taxation law, Meredith prepares estate and gift tax returns as a part of trust administration, and also appears before the IRS when assisting non profit organizations with obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status. She advises clients on the tax impact of both routine and extraordinary business activities, including entity formation; termination and liquidation; financing; complex real estate transactions; like-kind exchanges; and mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations.
Outside the office, Meredith serves as a member of the board of trustees of Loyola Academy.
Erin Johnston
Erin Johnston joined Addiction is Real in late 2022 with over 25 years’ experience leading nonprofit organizations focused on under resourced communities/health & wellness. Erin holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, earned the Certified Fundraising Executive designation in 2017, and the Missouri Prevention Specialist Certification in 2019. Her career has focused on providing community change, resource development, creating economic development opportunities, education, awareness, and advocacy by bringing the right people to the table. This collaborative approach has led to major changes in legislation in St. Louis County – which has been replicated across the United States. Erin’s love for community and passion to make life better and safer for youth and vulnerable families has led her to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors for the St. Louis County Police Athletic League (PAL) and to accept a 3-year appointment to the nine member St. Louis County Crime Commission. The Addiction is Real mission is personal to Erin, her husband Jim and her son, Jrue – whose paternal grandmother lost her battle with heroin in 2006 and whose aunt and uncle are currently justice involved due to issues stemming from Fentanyl addiction.
Meredith strives to understand what her clients are working towards, so she can help them create the right plan for their assets. In estate planning, the work is often personal and her clients appreciate her empathy. Meredith treats her clients like family; always thinking about what advice she would give her own mother or father.
Meredith helps clients develop estate plans, navigate probate court, litigate fiduciary matters, and represents clients in matters related to taxation law and real estate. Meredith assists clients with the administration of trusts and estates, and works with clients on estate planning through the creation of wills, revocable trusts, special needs trusts, irrevocable trusts (including irrevocable insurance trusts and asset protection trusts), powers of attorney, the use of lifetime gifting, charitable foundations, and closely-held business succession planning. Meredith also represents clients in the negotiation of leases, and sales and acquisitions of real estate.
Meredith works with clients on post-death trust and probate administration, including administering trusts, filing estate tax returns, opening and administering probate estates, and estate and trust accountings. She also appears before the probate court to obtain and administer conservatorship and guardianship estates for disabled adults.
In matters of taxation law, Meredith prepares estate and gift tax returns as a part of trust administration, and also appears before the IRS when assisting non profit organizations with obtaining and maintaining tax-exempt status. She advises clients on the tax impact of both routine and extraordinary business activities, including entity formation; termination and liquidation; financing; complex real estate transactions; like-kind exchanges; and mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations.
Outside the office, Meredith serves as a member of the board of trustees of Loyola Academy.