Category Archives: Estate Trust Planning
Are You an Unmarried Couple Living in Maryland – Read This
A new law for domestic partners in Maryland came into effect on October 1, 2023. A “domestic partner” is age 18 or over; a sole domestic partner for another; not married; and in a committed relationship with the other. This is a significant change that affects inheritance tax and benefits if there is no… Read More »
Financial Exploitation of Older or Susceptible Adults
The Maryland SAFE Act (Statute Against Financial Exploitation) In October of 2021, a Maryland law was put into place to address the financial exploitation of susceptible adults and older adults. The statute has “teeth”. An “older adult” is defined as someone at least 68 years old. The definition of a “susceptible adult” is more… Read More »
Why Do Lawyers Charge So Much to Do a Simple Will?
Why Do Lawyers Charge So Much to Do a Simple Will? Since this is coming from a lawyer, I think you should know my background and biases. My office is in Prince Frederick. In June, I started my 49th year of law practice. I do some estate planning but most of my work is… Read More »
Who Owns the Burial Plots
One of the questions that comes up frequently when someone dies is who owns the remaining burial plots. A typical question is: Grandpa gave the deeds to our family burial plots to my Aunt. After my Aunt passed away, my older sister had the deeds in her possession. When my Uncle passed away, they… Read More »
Correcting My Will, Trust, Power of Attorney, Advance Directive, and Other Legal Documents
So, you’ve completed your estate planning documents. You carefully reviewed them. They were duly signed and witnessed and you’ve got them in a safe place. But then you and your spouse were talking and you’ve decided that one of the gifts you put into your Will is now a bad choice. You had given… Read More »
Special Needs Trust
Parents of children with special needs commonly have additional concerns that other parents do not have. While many parents may be able to see their children grow into adulthood and be able to live independent lives, some parents with special needs children will not have the ability to know that their children will ever… Read More »
Common Mistakes in the Estate Planning Process
If you are beginning to consider starting the estate planning process, you may feel overwhelmed at the choices and the complexity of the legal options available to you. While you should always consult with a qualified estate planning attorney, the following are some common mistakes that people make as they move through the estate… Read More »
Things to Consider When Writing a Will
A will is also known as a “last will and testament” and legally allows you to leave your property to persons or organizations, name a personal guardian for your children, name a person to manage your property, and name an executor after you pass away. If you die without a will in the state… Read More »
Mistakes to Avoid in the Estate Planning Process
If you have any kind of assets at all, you need to have an estate plan. Even if you are not wealthy or have significant assets, having an estate plan allows you to determine who will receive your assets when you die. The biggest mistake is not having an estate plan at all. The… Read More »