Maryland Estate Planning

Have you thought about what will happen to your assets and loved ones when you pass away? No one wants to think about what life will look like after we are gone. But Maryland estate planning can have a profound impact on the people you care about most. Estate planning is how you ensure that your wishes will be honored and your family will be taken care of after you pass away.

Life is unpredictable. That is why it is critical to have a comprehensive estate plan in place, in case the worst happens. But the Maryland estate planning process can be complicated, and if it is not done right, it will have little impact.

That's where PathFinder Law Group comes in. PathFinder Law Group is an experienced Maryland estate planning firm. We can create a plan for you that ensures your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are protected. We can create an estate plan that addresses all of your needs, so you can have peace of mind and confidence that your family will be taken care of, no matter what.

What is Maryland Estate Planning?

Maryland estate planning is the process of creating a plan for how your assets will be managed and distributed after you are gone. It involves making important decisions about who will inherit your assets, who will be responsible for managing your affairs, and how you want your wishes to be carried out. Maryland estate planning is, essentially, how you want your estate to be administered after you pass away.

Here are some key components of Maryland estate planning:

Creating legal documents, such as a Last Will and Testament.
Naming heirs or people you want to receive parts of your estate.
Selecting a personal representative who will administer your estate.
Establishing Testamentary Trusts, so you can control how your assets are handled no matter what.
Minimizing estate taxes and protecting your assets from creditors and lawsuits.
Updating your estate plan regularly to ensure that it always reflects your wishes and current circumstances.
Creating a Living Will and Advance Directive.
Selecting a durable power of attorney.

Maryland estate planning is not just for the wealthy; everyone can benefit from having a plan in place. It allows you to protect your assets and loved ones.

An experienced Estates and Trusts attorney can provide valuable guidance and support throughout the process, ensuring that your plan is comprehensive and suited to your unique needs and goals.

An estate plan can include:

Wills and Trusts,
A durable power of attorney,
Beneficiary designations,
Letter of Intent,
A medical power of attorney,
An advance directive,
And guardianship designations.

It's important to note that if someone passes away without an estate plan, the Maryland probate courts will decide who will administer the estate and how the distribution will occur. That is why it is crucial to have a comprehensive estate plan that is enforceable. An experienced Estates and Trusts attorney can make sure that you have a firm, legally binding estate plan.

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How Can an Estates and Trusts Lawyer Help?

An experienced Estates and Trusts attorney can help you create an estate plan that makes a real difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Here are 8 ways an Estates and Trusts attorney can help:

Draft estate planning documents: Prepare Maryland estate planning documents, such as Wills, Living Wills, Trusts, and powers of attorney-to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and your affairs are handled in case you are incapacitated.
Minimize estate taxes: Help you develop a tax-efficient estate plan that minimizes the amount of taxes owed on your assets.
Asset protection: Help you protect your assets from creditors, lawsuits, and other potential threats for heirs/beneficiaries.
Probate and Trust Administration: Guide you through the probate and Trust Administration process, ensuring that your wishes are carried out and any legal issues are resolved.
Elder law: Assist with issues related to aging, such as long-term care planning, Medicaid planning, and guardianship.
Special needs planning: Aid you in planning for the financial future of a loved one with special needs.
Digital asset planning: Assist with planning for digital assets, such as cryptocurrency and online financial accounts.
Family disputes: Resolve disputes between family members related to estate planning, such as contesting a Will or Trust, or addressing issues related to inheritance.

Why Choose PathFinder Law Group?

For over a decade, PathFinder Law Group has been successfully helping scores of Maryland residents get their estate planning documents in order and create plans that really make a difference.

At PathFinder Law Group, we understand all the complex challenges that come with Maryland estate planning. We have experience creating plans for all types of estates-from big to small and complex to simple. PathFinder Law Group is a specialized law firm dedicated to providing comprehensive Maryland estate planning services.

Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring PathFinder Law Group for all your Maryland estate planning needs:

Expertise and personalized service: We have a deep understanding of Maryland estate planning and Trust law, allowing us to provide you with customized estate plans that meet your unique needs and goals.
Holistic approach: We take a holistic approach to estate planning, considering all aspects of your financial and personal life to develop estate plans that make a real difference.
Client-focused: We are dedicated to providing you with the highest level of support and guidance and we work tirelessly to ensure that your Maryland estate planning needs are met with precision and care.
Specialized focus: Our focus on estate planning and Trust law allows us to provide a level of expertise and service that is unmatched by large, general practice law firms.

Simply put-PathFinder Law Group will give you the attention and care you need to create an estate plan that makes a real difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

What a client had to say:

"Adam was amazing to work with! He is well-informed, knowledgeable, and personable. He answered all of our questions, and we had many! He made the process much easier than we expected. I would highly recommend him to anyone!" -Pamela Burt

Let PathFinder Help

PathFinder Law Group is committed to helping you achieve your Maryland estate planning goals, secure your financial future, and create estate plans that really make a difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Contact PathFinder Law Group to learn more about how we can help you plan for the future. Call us at (443) 579-4529 for a free consultation.

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Maryland Estate Planning F.A.Q.

What happens if someone dies without an estate plan?

If someone dies without an estate plan, their entire estate will most likely go through the probate process. The probate courts will then decide how assets are distributed based on Maryland law.
If the person is single with no reachable children or other heirs, their entire estate goes to the state of Maryland. That is why it is critical to have a comprehensive estate plan in place, in case the worst happens.

What is a durable vs medical power of attorney (POA)?

A durable POA allows an agent to make financial, business, and legal decisions on your behalf.
A medical POA (sometimes called a health POA, advance directive, or healthcare proxy) allows an agent to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to make medical decisions for yourself.
Both a durable and medical POA are critical components in any estate plan.

What is a Letter of Intent?

In addition to the formal documents of your estate plan, a Letter of Intent is a personal document that provides detailed information about your wishes to your personal representative and heirs.

When should I start estate planning?

It's never too early to start estate planning. The earlier you start, the more time you have to make informed decisions and ensure that your wishes are carried out as intended.
Some important life events that should prompt you to start thinking about estate planning include marriage, having children, retirement, health issues, and changes in financial circumstances.

How often should I update my estate plan?

At least every 3-5 years or when there is a life event, such as marriage, having children, retirement, health issues, and changes in financial circumstances.

What happens to digital assets after I pass away?

All digital assets should be specifically mentioned in your Will. If they are not, it will be decided by the Maryland probate courts.

What is probate?

Probate is the process where someone's assets are transferred through the Probate courts after they pass away. Their assets are reviewed by the Maryland Probate Court (called the "Orphans' Court" and "Register of Wills") before being distributed.
"Probate is the formal legal process that gives recognition to a will and appoints the executor or personal representative who will administer the estate and distribute assets." -Bar Association

What are non-probate assets?

Non-probate assets are assets that have some type of post-death designation in place or are jointly owned.
Some common examples of post-death designations include 401Ks and life insurance policies.
Some common examples of jointly owned assets include cars, houses, and joint bank accounts.