Have you asked your parents about their estate plans? Chances are, it feels like a delicate subject. We don’t want to pry, or seem like we’re waiting for our parents to pass, so we don’t ask. We think, “It’ll be ok if they don’t have a plan. Probate couldn’t possibly be that bad.” In this way, we convince ourselves that the burden of probate is easier than having an uncomfortable conversation with our parents. It Read More
Spring is a time of renewal, new growth, and possibility. Although many of us experience a burst of energy as the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, it often doesn’t last long. In just a few weeks, our lives will begin to bustle with summertime preparations and an ever-growing To Do list. So, how can we make the most of the calm before the storm? Clear out those lingering tasks that have been sitting on Read More
In the United States, the majority of individuals don’t have any estate planning documents in place. Why is that? For some, it is difficult and uncomfortable to confront their own mortality. For others, there is a perception that the estate planning process is expensive or only meant for people who are already “successful.” To address this phenomenon, there have been a wave of “budget” and “DIY” estate planning Read More
As a parent and an estate planning attorney, I spend quite a lot of time thinking about how to protect my children and provide for their futures using estate planning tools. But, my children are grown. For new parents, I know that estate planning may be the furthest thing from your mind. As a parent (or grandparent!), there are a thousand things to worry about. Having children in your life creates responsibility, Read More
Estate planning? Who has time for that? You have a job, you go to school, you've got kids, there’s soccer practice and dance classes, you work with the church, the dog needs walking, and oh yeah, you might want a little bit of a social life. So with all that going on who really does have time to think about the future and plan for their loved ones? In working with a lot of clients who are younger, who just bought Read More
The Maryland probate process involves proving that a deceased person’s will is valid and administering property or debts in accordance with the valid will. Depending on the amount of property or debt, the probate process can be complicated. The following information will help you work toward understanding the Maryland probate process. What is a will? A will is a legal document that is signed by the decedent in Read More
Our firm maintains relationships with financial and tax advisors in order to assist us in answering complex questions in these areas of your estate planning. The following article was written by our friend Brian Kuhn of PSG Clarity and titled "Your Legal Documents Are Done, Now What? – A Financial Planner’s Perspective". Brian has graciously allowed me to reprint the article here. For all of your financial and Read More
Our firm maintains relationships with financial and tax advisors in order to assist us in answering complex questions in these areas of your estate planning. The following article first appeared in our friend Kevin O'Reilly of The Emerald Financial Group's monthly newsletter entitled "Your Financial Compass". Kevin has graciously agreed to allow me to reprint it here. For all of your financial and tax planning needs, Read More
