Family is the inspiration behind narrowing the Procino-Wells & Woodland, LLC practice to a single specialty: elder law. Michele’s own family has set the pace for her, instilling values and beliefs that extend to her professional life. Michele watched her parents build a family business and absorbed valuable lessons about hard work and determination. Those that know her family can see similarities between Michele and her dad. Pat Procino, the son of Italian immigrants, is surely the person that Michele learned the most from about turning a dream into a reality.
Growing up in Laurel, Delaware, Michele has strong roots in Sussex County. Michele envisioned a life outside the county as she pursued college, but ultimately could not deny her love of the area. After studying at Penn State University, Widener University School of Law, and Villanova University School of Law, Michele returned home to serve her community.
Initially, Michele found a professional home with Schmittinger & Rodriguez in Dover in 1995 and in 1998 transitioned to a Georgetown firm that soon became known as Smith, O’Donnell, Procino & Berl, LLP. In March 2005, Michele opened her own office in Seaford, now known as Procino-Wells & Woodland, LLC. The first of the firm’s office locations in Seaford is located in an 1880s home that over the years has been used as residential space, an antique store, and most recently a preschool where Michele’s son, Josh, attended in 2004 and 2005. The fully renovated space complements the firm’s work of honoring heritage and serving future generations.
Inspired by a 2010 County growth projection presentation, Michele quickly identified the need for legal services to support the growing aging population. The firm was already working in estate planning, but it was clear that helping families in a more comprehensive way was necessary. The idea was born to focus strictly on elder law, which includes helping families create Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney; planning to protect their assets from the costs of long-term care; and administering their loved ones’ estates. Immediately, Michele wanted to support her own family in this area, not wanting to see her parents exhaust the fruits of their labor on the potential costs of long-term care in the future. It’s easy to relay the feelings that come naturally toward her own family to the clients Michele serves every day.
Michele maintains membership with WealthCounsel, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the National Care Planning Council, and the Elder Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association. Michele is past President of Soroptimist International of Seaford and the Curiosity Service Foundation. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of TidalHealth, Inc. Michele is a past Board Chair of TidalHealth Nanticoke, Inc.
Michele resides with her husband, John Wells, and their son, Jack, all of whom miss their older boys who are thriving in their adulthood. John is a championship-winning football and softball coach at Sussex Central High School. Chase is a West Chester University graduate, Bethany Beach lifeguard and is pursuing a master’s degree in history education. Josh is a Georgia Tech graduate and embedded software engineer living in New York City. Will is a freshman at the University of Georgia, majoring in business/real estate and is planning to go to law school. Jack attends Worcester Preparatory School, runs cross-country and swims competitively year-round. In Michele’s spare time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing at the beach.