Tag Archives: estate planning
Impacts of the Trump Presidency on Estate Planning: Your Quick Guide
Estate Planning Under Trump It’s official — at 12:00 p.m. on January 20th, 2017, Donald J. Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America, in essence completing the 2016 presidential election cycle. With that bit of uncertainty behind us and a fresh administration starts out, here’s what you need… Read More »
3 Tips for the Overwhelmed Personal Representative
While it is an honor to be named as personal representative (executor) of a will or estate, it can also be a sobering and daunting responsibility. Being a personal representative requires a high level of organization, foresight, and attention to detail to meet all responsibilities and ensure that all beneficiaries receive the assets to… Read More »
Even Vampires Need Estate Planning
Yes, even the undead need an estate plan. After you stop laughing you need to hear me out. As we’ve learned from the likes of The Vampire Chronicles, the Twilight saga, and HBO’s True Blood, vampires aren’t immortal. They do die, and it’s usually unexpected and messy. While vampires aren’t good candidates for life… Read More »
Wills for New Parents: What You Need to Know
As a new parent, you naturally want to guarantee your new baby’s future in every way. For many new parents, infancy is a time for celebrating new life, and making a will is the last thing on their minds. For others, the process of bringing new life into the world sparks intense feelings of… Read More »
Is a Payable on Death Account Right for You and Your Family?
Payable on death accounts, or “POD accounts” for short, have become popular for avoiding probate in the last decade or so. What is a Payable on Death Account? A POD account is a type of bank account authorized by state law which allows the account owner to designate one or more beneficiaries to receive… Read More »
Intestacy: If You Die Without a Will in Maryland, Does Your Spouse Inherit Your Entire Estate?
If you are married and you die without a will in Maryland, you may mistakenly believe that your spouse will still inherit your entire estate. Not so fast. Who will inherit your estate depends on several different factors. 3 Factors that Determine What Happens to Your Estate if You Die Without a Will… Read More »
Warning: If You Own Property This Way, You May Accidentally Disinherit Your Own Children
Owning property as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship is easy, common, and often disastrous. Sadly, children – both minor and adult – are often disinherited. While there are several forms of joint ownership, the one most people use (and the one considered in this blog) is called Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship. When… Read More »
How to Get Organized to Meet With Your Estate Planning Attorney
OK, great! You’ve finally decided it’s time to meet with an estate planning attorney and get your affairs in order. It’s time to make sure your family is protected. Now that you’ve scheduled the first appointment, what’s the next step? You can do one of two things: (1) Simply wait for the meeting date… Read More »
Estate Planning Basics for Newlyweds – How to Get Prepared for the Unexpected
It’s that time of year – the time for beautiful weddings, fun receptions, delicious cakes, special gifts, and romantic honeymoons. While this is a joyous time for everyone, especially newlyweds, it’s also time for you and your new spouse to plan for your future – for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in… Read More »
It’s Not Just About Death and Taxes: The Essential Legal Documents You Need for Incapacity Planning
Comprehensive estate planning is about more than your legacy after death, avoiding probate, and saving on taxes. It must also be about having a plan in place to manage your affairs if you become mentally incapacitated during your lifetime. What Happens Without an Incapacity Plan? Without a comprehensive incapacity plan in place, a… Read More »
