• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sinclair Prosser Gasior

Annapolis Estate Planning Attorneys

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Call Now: (410) 573-4818

Attend a Free Workshop Trustee School

  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Founding Attorneys
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Annapolis, MD Asset Protection and Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Annapolis, MD Elder Law & Medicaid Services
    • Annapolis, MD Trust Administration & Probate
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Annapolis, MD Incapacity Planning
    • Annapolis, MD LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Annapolis, MD Pet Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Annapolis, MD Special Needs Planning
    • Estate Planning for Young Families
  • Resources
    • DocuBank
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Estate Planning Definitions
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Asset Protection Planning
      • Estate Planning
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid
      • Power of Attorney
      • Probate Avoidance
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills
    • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
    • Probate Resources
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Trust Administration
      • Estate Planning for Niches
    • Top 10 Estate Planning Techniques
    • Newsletters
  • COMMUNITIES WE SERVE
    • Anne Arundel County
      • Annapolis
      • Crownsville
      • Davidsonville
      • Highland Beach
      • Millersville
    • Baltimore County
    • Calvert County
      • Dunkirk
      • Huntingtown
      • Owings
    • Charles County
      • Charlotte Hall
      • Waldorf
    • District of Columbia
    • Howard County
    • Maryland
      • Clarksville
      • Columbia
      • Ellicott City
    • Prince George County
      • Bowie
      • Fort Washington
      • Glenn Dale
    • Queen Anne’s County
      • Grasonville
      • Queenstown
      • Stevensville
    • St. Mary’s County
      • Charlotte Hall
      • Leonardtown
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • BLOG
  • Contact Us
  • Make A Payment
  • Client Portal
Home / Estate Planning / Estate Planning is Not Just for Your Parents or Grandparents

Estate Planning is Not Just for Your Parents or Grandparents

January 17, 2019 by Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney

“Estate Planning is not Just for your Parents or Grandparents” by Attorney Victor A. Lembo

Estate Planning is Not Just for Your Parents or Grandparents

Often, we think estate planning is just for those who are elderly. While the elderly certainly need to have their affairs in order, estate planning is for anyone who cares what happens to them, their things, or their family.

For someone who is young and healthy, estate planning may be the furthest thing from your mind. You may be thinking about your next family vacation, enjoying fall football, or planning for the holidays. How could you need estate planning when you have such an busy lifestyle? Accidents happen, even to the young and active. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, accidents are the leading cause of death of young adults.

If you die without an estate plan, each state has one for you, which is known as intestate succession. If you are unmarried, depending on the state, intestacy laws would typically result in everything going to your parents and/or siblings. Unless you have a Will or Trust, you have no say over which member of your family gets your assets or has control. Also, your family members that you wanted to inherit your estate will not be able to receive it just because you always said it would go to them. Your wishes must be in writing with the appropriate legal formalities.

Also, it may be unlikely that you pass young, as most accidents are not fatal. But you could be in medical need due to an accident or illness. For example, consider the case of Terri Schiavo, who collapsed at home at age 26. A battle between her loved ones ensued over her care, and her matter is often referenced as one of the landmark cases of why to have solid planning in place. In your estate plan, you can detail who you want to make medical decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourself. Similarly, you can voice your opinion about end-of-life decisions.

Another part of an estate plan is a financial power of attorney, which allows someone to make financial decisions for your assets while you are alive. You could give that power to someone so they could act immediately or the power to act only upon your incapacity. Appointing a trusted family member or friend to act in your stead is essential for items that involve paying your bills, managing your accounts, and handling your affairs.

As the saying goes, age is just a number and you can determine to take control at any point. Sinclair Prosser Gasior can assist with all assets of your estate plan and you can choose whomever you want to make decisions for you and to receive assets upon your death. Whatever you decide, you will have peace of mind knowing you have planned ahead for any eventuality.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney
Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney
Estate Planning Attorney at Sinclair Prosser Gasior
Alex Pagnotta’s personal experience with the problems that can result from an inadequate estate plan along with his interest in helping others drove his desire to pursue the areas of estate planning and estate administration. He counsels individuals and families to preserve wealth and ensure that their hard earned assets are passing to the correct individuals when they want and how they want.
Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney
Latest posts by Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
  • What Happens with my Car at my Death? - January 24, 2023
  • What Do Executors Need to Know? - December 15, 2022
  • Patagonia Founder Gives Away His Company - November 1, 2022

Filed Under: Estate Planning Tagged With: immediate power, intestacy, springing power

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Annapolis probate attorney
How Social Media Posts Might Impact a Will Contest
Bowie estate planning attorneys
Can I Prevent Someone from Contesting My Will?
Estate Planning Mistakes
living trust
Three Things a Living Trust Won’t Accomplish
What is the Most Important Estate Planning Document?
Tax Law Changes for 2022

Primary Sidebar

Download our free estate planning worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Testimonials

5 Stars
Client Review
September 3, 2020
    

We initiated estate planning following a presentation by Sinclair Prosser Attorney Jon Gasior. We were so impressed, we contracted with them to complete our estate planning. Subsequently, we assembled information on our assets and Sinclair Prosser Gasior did the rest. Correspondence was communicated to our financial institutions and the estate was established. We were very pleased with the courteous manner of the Sinclair Prosser Gasior staff. However, it was their professionalism that made us satisfied we chose this firm to handle our estate. We have nothing but praise for Sinclair Prosser Gasior .

default image
– Walter K.

Blog Subscription

Sign up for our blog to receive all of our latest estate planning news and updates!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

ANNAPOLIS

900 Bestgate Road
Suite 103, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone: (410) 573-4818
Fax: (410) 573-2802

BOWIE

4201 Mitchellville Road
Suite 403, Bowie, MD 20716
Phone: (301) 970-8080
Fax: (410) 573-2802

MILLERSVILLE

1520 Jabez Run Rd
Suite 300, Millersville, Maryland 21108
Phone: (410) 573-4818
Fax: (410) 573-2802

WALDORF

Hamilton Centre II
3261 Old Washington Road, Suite 2020 Waldorf, MD 20602
Phone: 800-366-4615

Map

map for office

Footer

footer logo
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Maryland Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys| Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map