Valuing Assets In An Estate
One of the first steps of estate management is determining the value of the estate. This is an important part of settling a decedent’s estate, and an especially important step during probate proceedings. When valuing an estate, assets can be either real property or personal property. Real property includes real estate, like a house or
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10 Tips for Writing Your Will
Writing your will can be a difficult task. Deciding who should inherit your assets and make decisions on your behalf can not only cause problems within a family, but also be a significant burden on loved ones left without advanced directives. Luckily, a will is an opportunity to take this burden off your loved ones’
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What to Expect in Probate Court
The concept of probate court can be daunting. When a person passes away, probate court is often a necessary part of allocating and distributing their assets. However, this process can be complicated and can often trigger emotional responses in family and friends. If you have recently lost a loved one, you are probably dealing with
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What is Medical Power of Attorney?
It’s important to account and plan for the possibility that you might need someone to make decisions regarding your health in the future. This is typically part of estate planning. A probate lawyer can help you draft and sign the necessary documents to ensure the right person is legally responsible should something happen to you.
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An Estate Planning Checklist
Planning your estate can be complicated and confusing. There are so many factors to consider and lots of legal steps that must be taken to ensure your will divides your assets as you intend. Planning your estate is the best way to guarantee your loved ones are taken care of in the event of your
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How to Choose a Probate Attorney
In most cases, going through the probate process is necessary when a loved one passes away. In fact, Maryland state law requires most estates to go through the probate process to ensure stipulations of the last will and testament are honored and the estate is handled appropriately. It’s not required to have a probate attorney
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A Guide to Maryland Probate Court
When someone passes away, the process of administering their estate is called probate. This is a court-supervised process that involves organizing the deceased’s money, assets, and possessions, and distributing them properly as inheritance (after paying taxes and debts). If the person left a will, it will name an executor of the estate who will help
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Considerations for Choosing an Executor
Choosing an executor for your will is a major decision. Your executor is tasked with ensuring your hard-earned assets, personal belongings, and other valuables will be distributed to the people you choose. Acting as the executor of an estate can require a lot of time and energy. The process of settling an estate can sometimes
Read MoreWhy is Hiring a Lawyer for a Will Better Than Using Online Software?
The first, and most essential, step in estate planning is composing a will. Your last will and testament let you decide who receives your worldly goods once you die. Think of it as the ultimate financial planning document. Failure to leave a will means your estate falls under Maryland’s law of intestate succession, and your
Read MoreSettling An Estate? Work with a Probate Attorney for Probate Administration/Litigation Advice
It is difficult to deal with our grief when a loved one dies. Our emotional struggles may be compounded by financial and legal stress if we are responsible for overseeing their estate. Probate law in Maryland can be difficult to understand for laypeople and lawyers alike. A probate attorney from the Law Office of Blackford
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