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Five Fundamental Estate Planning Documents
Regardless of an individual’s age, financial status, or family situation, below I will discuss what I believe to be the five fundamental documents that provide a strong foundation to any estate plan. 1. Testamentary Document…
Read MoreEstate Planning Concerns for Young Adults and New Parents
Estate Planning for Young Adults When most people think of estate planning, they commonly think of older people with high value assets generated through decades in the workforce. Estate planning is not typically on the…
Read MoreThe Probate Process: Appeals, Transmission of Issues and Jury Trials
Appeals of Orphans’ Court Decisions In most venues throughout Maryland, a party in an estate looking to appeal a decision made by an Orphans’ Court has two options: file an appeal to the Court of…
Read MoreThe Probate Process: Navigating Claims Against an Estate
After a person passes away, anyone who believes the decedent owed them money or property at the time of the decedent’s death may file a claim against the estate. Claims against an estate can include…
Read MoreMaryland’s New Elective Share Law
By Zachary W. Worshtil On October 1, 2020, Maryland is set to join the growing ranks of states to integrate non-probate assets and arrangements in its law regulating spousal inheritance. On that date, Chapter 435…
Read MoreLegislative Update: New Estates & Trusts Laws
Last month, I examined the new Maryland SAFE Act recently passed by the Maryland legislature and set to go into effect on October 1, 2021. Along with the SAFE Act, there are three additional new…
Read MoreThe New Maryland SAFE Act
While other higher-profile bills approved by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2021 session garnered more attention, the recently passed Senate Bill 327 – Civil Actions – Financial Exploitation of Susceptible Adults and Older Adults…
Read MoreBasics of Adult Guardianships
Recently, two sensationalized accounts of guardianship matters have put a national spotlight on adult guardianships. First is the Netflix film “I Care a Lot.” This movie features Marla Grayson (played by Rosamund Pike), a crooked,…
Read MoreLarry King Estate Turmoil
Shortly after Larry King passed away on January 23, 2021 at age 87, it was widely reported that the prominent television and radio host merely had a simple, handwritten will executed in the months before…
Read MoreHow to Remove a Personal Representative
Last month, I discussed common mistakes made during pre-death estate planning and how they can negatively affect estate administration posthumously. Often these avoidable mistakes lead to unnecessary, contentious and costly litigation. Beginning this month and…
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