Category Archives: Estate Planning
Electronic Wills: What are they, and should I use one?
What Are Electronic Wills? It was not very long ago that all legal documents were printed on paper and signed with a pen. But in today’s world, where we sign commercial contracts, form and run businesses, and buy everything from groceries to cars online, it seems almost prehistoric for state laws to require that… Read More »
Using Beneficiary/Transfer-on-Death Deeds
What Is a Transfer on Death Deed? If you own real property, such as a home, in your sole name but you have not created a trust and transferred your property’s title to the trust, it is virtually guaranteed that your beneficiaries (or heirs) will have to deal with probate after your death. If… Read More »
Do Personal Injury Settlements Affect My SSDI or SSI?
The answers to many an important questions about the effects of personal injury settlements on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly benefits you currently receive, or whether you should apply for SSDI benefits and pursue a personal injury claim simultaneously, are all situationally dependent. However, there is a general short… Read More »
Springing Financial Power of Attorney
Estate planning is about more than preparing for the inevitable. A good estate plan should also consider the unexpected. Your plan may have detailed instructions for what happens when you are no longer around, but what if something goes wrong while you are alive? If you can no longer manage your affairs, you will… Read More »
Changes to the FAFSA Form (and What It Means for Grandparent-Funded 529s)
For grandparents who want to leave a legacy to their grandchildren, the gift of a 529 college savings plan is an option. Not only can opening a 529 plan account help a grandchild with educational expenses, it can also help grandparents with their estate planning goals. In the past, grandparent 529 plans had the… Read More »
Pour-Over Will: Not Your Average Will
Wills and trusts are the two basic legal instruments that people use to pass accounts and property on to their loved ones at death. Although a revocable living trust is often used in place of a will, the two are not mutually exclusive. You can have both a will and a trust, and in… Read More »
Untangling a Tangled Title: Homeownership, Property Deeds, and Estate Planning
Do you really own the home you live in? If you are currently living in a property that you inherited but the deed has not been transferred into your name, you may be surprised to learn that, under the law, you are technically not the owner. This legal situation is known as “tangled title.”… Read More »
Build Back Better Act and Estate Planning Changes
Build Back Better Act and Estate Planning Changes President Biden’s Build Back Better Act (BBBA) has made a significant first step towards passage as the House Ways and Means Committee approves the bill’s tax provisions. As the draft now stands, the legislative proposal may restrict the ability of higher net worth individuals to shelter… Read More »
Notice to Creditors: Understanding the Probate Process
Avoiding probate through legal techniques is a great strategy to save taxes, keep your estate from public proceedings, and avoid the need for court approval every step of the way. It can save you time, frustration, and in many cases, significant attorney and court fees. After your death, your personal representative – sometimes referred… Read More »
Becoming a Legal Guardian of Person and Property of Your Aging Parent in Maryland and the District of Columbia
Guardianship of an aging parent means acceptance of significant legal responsibility to act and advocate for their care. The duties include a parent’s daily care, medical care, and possibly financial decisions made on their behalf. Many guardians are family members who were previously caregivers, now cast into a formal legal role. At the same… Read More »
