$4.4M Shannondell Entrance Fee Refund Settlement, Are You Eligible to Claim? Deadline to File is June 2

Shannondell Inc. and Dell Management Services Inc. agreed to pay $4.4 million to resolve a lawsuit over entrance fee refunds. Former residents of Shannondell at Valley Forge claim the company improperly deducted refurbishment and restoration costs from the refunds it owed them when they moved out. Claims are open now, and the deadline to file is June 2, 2026.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$4,400,000
Claim Deadline	June 2, 2026
Who Qualifies	Former Shannondell at Valley Forge residents whose entrance fee refund was reduced for refurbishment or restoration costs — or their legal representatives, executors, administrators, or heirs
Payout Per Person	Varies — proportional to the amount deducted from your refund
Proof Required	Legal representatives of deceased residents must confirm their authority
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — open for claims
Administrator	Continental DataLogix (Baer v. Shannondell Settlement)
Official Website	www.shannondellclassaction.com

Where Things Stand Right Now

• The Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on February 3, 2026.
• The deadline to file your claim or submit a written objection is June 2, 2026.
• The final approval hearing takes place on September 23, 2026, before Judge Richard P. Haaz in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Why Did Former Residents Sue Shannondell?

Shannondell at Valley Forge is a continuing care retirement community in Audubon, Pennsylvania. When residents move in, they pay a large one-time entrance fee — often tens of thousands of dollars — and sign a Residence and Care Agreement. That agreement promises the entrance fee is refundable when a resident moves out or passes away.

The problem, according to this lawsuit, is what happened when Shannondell issued those refunds. The company deducted costs for refurbishing and restoring the unit before returning the money. Former residents Daniel and Rose Baer filed this class action in 2018, arguing those deductions violated their contract and Pennsylvania’s Continuing Care Providers Registration and Disclosure Act (CCPRDA) — a state law designed to protect residents of retirement communities.

Shannondell denies any wrongdoing. Both sides agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. The case number is 2018-13760, filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Related article: $3.19M Pawn America Data Breach Settlement, Did Your Information Get Exposed? Deadline to File For Claim Is July 6

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?

• You may qualify if you were a former resident of Shannondell at Valley Forge and Shannondell reduced your entrance fee refund by deducting costs for refurbishment or restoration of your unit.
• You may qualify if you are the legal representative, executor, or administrator of a deceased former resident who would have been eligible.
• You may qualify if you are an heir of a deceased former resident, provided no formal probate proceedings were opened.
• You may qualify if the former resident signed their Residence and Care Agreement and received a refund that included deductions for appliance depreciation, appliance replacement fees, or replacement costs for cabinets, countertops, or other materials.

If you received a class notice in the mail, Shannondell’s records already identify you as a potential class member.

How Much Money Can You Receive?

There is no single fixed payout. The settlement distributes the remaining fund on a proportional basis — the more Shannondell deducted from your entrance fee refund, the larger your share of the settlement.

Here is how the $4,400,000 fund breaks down:

Allocation	Amount
Attorney Fees	Up to $1,465,000
Administrative & Litigation Costs	Up to $120,000
Service Award to Class Representative	Up to $15,000
Payments to Eligible Class Members	Remainder of the fund

The settlement administrator will calculate your individual share based on the total amount deducted from your refund compared to deductions across all valid claims. The more that was taken from your refund, the higher your payment.

Payments go out approximately 60 days after the Court grants final approval and resolves any appeals.

How to File Your Claim

There is no online portal for this settlement. You must download, complete, and submit a paper claim form.

Step 1 — Go to www.shannondellclassaction.com and download the PDF claim form.

Step 2 — Fill out the form completely with your personal and residency details.

Step 3 — If you are filing on behalf of a deceased resident, confirm your authority as executor, administrator, or heir.

Step 4 — Submit your completed form by mail or email (see contact details below):

• Mail: Baer v. Shannondell Settlement, c/o Claims Administrator, P.O. Box 16, West Point, PA 19486
• Email: Scan or photograph your completed form and send it to [email protected]

Step 5 — Keep a copy of your submitted claim for your records.

Estimated time to complete: 5–10 minutes.

Key Dates to Know

Milestone	Date
Preliminary Approval Granted	February 3, 2026
Claims Period Opens	TBD
Claim Filing Deadline	June 2, 2026
Objection Deadline	June 2, 2026
Opt-Out Deadline	TBD
Final Approval Hearing	September 23, 2026
Expected Payment Date	Approximately 60 days after final approval

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim? 

No. You do not need a lawyer to file a claim in this settlement. Download the claim form from the official settlement website, fill it out, and submit it by June 2, 2026. The process takes roughly 5–10 minutes.

Is this settlement legitimate? 

Yes. The Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania granted preliminary approval on February 3, 2026. The case number is 2018-13760. You can verify all details at the official settlement website: www.shannondellclassaction.com.

When will I receive my payment?

 The settlement administrator will issue payments approximately 60 days after the court grants final approval and resolves any appeals. The final approval hearing is scheduled for September 23, 2026.

What if I missed the claim deadline? 

The deadline is June 2, 2026. If you miss it, you will not receive a payment from this settlement. You may still be bound by the settlement terms if you do not opt out before the deadline.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes? 

Settlement payments can sometimes count as taxable income depending on your situation. Consult a tax professional to understand how any payment may affect your specific tax filing.

What if Shannondell deducted costs from my refund before May 22, 2012?

 The eligibility criteria focus on refunds issued after May 22, 2012, for residents who signed agreements before February 1, 2013. If your refund predates this window, you may not qualify under the current class definition. Contact the settlement administrator at 215-264-0700 to confirm your eligibility.

What happens if I do nothing?

 If you do nothing, you remain a class member but receive no payment. You also give up your right to sue Shannondell separately over the same deductions. To preserve your right to sue independently, you must formally opt out of the class before the deadline.

Can the executor of a deceased resident’s estate file a claim?

 Yes. If the eligible resident has passed away, their executor, administrator, or heir may file a claim on their behalf. That person must confirm their legal authority and agree to distribute any payment to all individuals entitled to a share.

Sources & References

1. Official Settlement Notice (PDF) — Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
2. Official Claim Form (PDF) — Shannondell Class Action Settlement Administrator
3. Settlement Agreement (PDF) — Baer v. Shannondell Inc., Case No. 2018-13760

Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.