"Should I Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance?" by Attorney Ayana Johnson (Audio) Should I Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance? An important aspect of estate planning is planning for your retirement years. Doing so requires you to do more than just stash as much money away as possible – though saving money certainly is important. Planning for your retirement years should also consider the very real … [Read more...] about Should I Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance?
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Helping Your Family Through Estate Planning
"Helping Your Family Through Estate Planning" by Attorney Jon Gasior (Audio) One of the most common reasons people plan their estates is to make things easier for their loved ones. Preparing and executing estate planning documents is just the first step to providing your family with peace of mind. Making sure your family has all the information they need is really the key to completing an … [Read more...] about Helping Your Family Through Estate Planning
Preparing to Meet with a Probate Attorney
Meeting with a Maryland probate attorney can be very important if someone you love has passed away. The individual the decedent has named as executor of an estate should meet with a probate attorney as soon as possible in order to get advice about fulfilling his or her duties. If you are an heir or beneficiary, you may also consider meeting with an experienced attorney to understand your options … [Read more...] about Preparing to Meet with a Probate Attorney
Should I Update My Estate Plan If My Spouse Is Incapacitated?
"Should I Update My Estate Plan If My Spouse Is Incapacitated?" by Attorney Laura Curry (Audio) Should I Update My Estate Plan If My Spouse Is Incapacitated? Years ago, you and your spouse met with an attorney to develop an estate plan. Perhaps you set up a will naming each other as personal representative/executor or even a living trust where you are both named as initial co-trustees. … [Read more...] about Should I Update My Estate Plan If My Spouse Is Incapacitated?
Media Storm Surrounding Naomi Judd’s Estate
"Media Storm Surrounding Naomi Judd’s Estate" by Attorney Beth Burgee (Audio) Naomi Judd passed away on April 30, 2022. There have been many in the media commenting on the fact that her two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, were not included in her will. Naomi’s husband of 33 years, Larry Strickland, was named as representative of her estate. However, it is unclear who the beneficiaries are at … [Read more...] about Media Storm Surrounding Naomi Judd’s Estate
Why You May Need More than a Simple Will
When most people think about estate planning, they focus first on the creation of a Last Will and Testament. Your Will may continue to serve as the foundation for your estate plan as it grows; however, at some point that simple Will may not be enough to protect you, your assets, and your loved ones. The best way to know if you need to incorporate additional tools and strategies into your estate … [Read more...] about Why You May Need More than a Simple Will
Estate Planning Scams
"Estate Planning Scams" by Attorney Jon Gasior (Audio) A common step of estate planning can involve transferring title of a client’s home, especially if they created a Revocable Living Trust. When our law firm prepares a deed for a client to retitle their home into their trust, we send the deed to get recorded in the land records. While recording a deed is a necessity, a potential downside is … [Read more...] about Estate Planning Scams
Myths and Facts about the Maryland Inheritance Tax
As we work hard to build financial security and to leave a legacy, we do not want our estates to be subject to heavy taxation. However, Maryland may assess an inheritance tax when certain individuals inherit money or property after a death. Inheritance taxes are not common, and Maryland is one of just two states within the United States that collects both an inheritance tax and an estate … [Read more...] about Myths and Facts about the Maryland Inheritance Tax
How to Avoid Probate for Real Estate
"How to Avoid Probate for Real Estate" by Attorney Laura Curry (Audio) For many people, their home is one of their largest assets and also the most difficult to convey to a beneficiary without it going through the court probate process at the time of your death. The two main ways to have your house avoid going through probate is having it titled in the name of your living trust or a life estate … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Probate for Real Estate
Comparing the Roles of Trustees and Personal Representatives
The differences between the role of a trustee and the role of a personal representative can be confusing because the lines often blur. These two roles are often fulfilled by the same person and have similar duties. However, there are also differences that are important to know when one is carrying out either of these roles. First, let us take a look at what exactly both of these roles are. … [Read more...] about Comparing the Roles of Trustees and Personal Representatives
Is a Professional Trustee the Best Choice?
"Is a Professional Trustee the Best Choice?" by Attorney Ayana Johnson (Audio) One of the most popular additions to a well-rounded and comprehensive estate plan is a trust. If you are considering the addition of a trust to your estate plan, one of the decisions you will need to make is who to appoint as your Trustee to administer your trust. The Annapolis trust attorneys at Sinclair Prosser … [Read more...] about Is a Professional Trustee the Best Choice?
What is the Maryland Trust Act?
The Maryland Trust Act went into effect in 2015, passing a version of the Uniform Trust Code. Prior to that, most of Maryland’s trust laws were based on case law and not actually codified into a statute. The Maryland Trust Act provided a set of default provisions that apply to all trusts. There are some provisions that are mandatory and apply regardless of what the trust terms states and … [Read more...] about What is the Maryland Trust Act?
Estate Planning for a New Baby
"Estate Planning for a New Baby" by Attorney Alexander Pagnotta (Audio) If you are having a new baby, you should speak with an estate planning lawyer to ensure you have taken steps to protect your newest family member. A baby changes your life in many ways, including making you responsible for the care of someone who is dependent upon you for everything. Sinclair Prosser Gasior can assist … [Read more...] about Estate Planning for a New Baby
25 Years with WNAV
"Reflections on 25 years with WNAV" by Colleen Sinclair Prosser (Audio) If you have not heard already, my tenure at Sinclair Prosser Gasior is coming to an end. In January of 2019, I stepped down as owner of the firm and Attorney Jon Gasior took over as the principal of the firm. On June 30, I will officially retire from the law firm. For now this is my last radio blog and I want to share … [Read more...] about 25 Years with WNAV
What is Digital Estate Planning?
"What is Digital Estate Planning?" by Attorney Laura Curry (Audio) When you think of digital estate planning, you may be thinking of planning for your cryptocurrency. But if you do anything online, such as Venmo, Facebook, frequent flyer miles just to name a few examples, then you have digital assets and want to make sure someone can access them after you pass away. Failing to plan for your … [Read more...] about What is Digital Estate Planning?
What Can You Purchase with a Special Needs Trust?
If you are the parent of a child with special needs, the importance of careful and comprehensive estate planning is significantly heightened. Like all parents, you undoubtedly want to protect and provide for your child to the best of your ability. Incorporating a special needs planning component in your estate plan is one excellent way to do just that. Within your special needs plan, you may … [Read more...] about What Can You Purchase with a Special Needs Trust?
What Assets Should I Put In My Revocable Living Trust?
"What Assets Should I Put In My Revocable Living Trust?" by Attorney Jon Gasior (Audio) Revocable Living Trusts are an extremely common tool used to create a comprehensive estate plan that provides for probate avoidance and control of assets during lifetime and at death. While the Revocable Living Trust can be one of the most effective estate planning tools, there can be a major downside. If you … [Read more...] about What Assets Should I Put In My Revocable Living Trust?
