• 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    • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?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 / Probate / How the Maryland Probate Process Can Affect Your Family

How the Maryland Probate Process Can Affect Your Family

April 6, 2017 by Alexander M. Pagnotta, Estate Planning Attorney

probate process

The Maryland probate process takes place through the Register of Wills and Orphan’s Court when someone has died with property in the state. However, probate may be avoidable if one chooses to work with an estate planning lawyer to structure ownership of assets and facilitate the transfer of those assets outside of probate.

There are many reasons why it makes sense to arrange for your asset to transfer outside of probate. One big reason why individuals choose to avoid probate is due to the impact the process can have on families. Sinclair Prosser Gasior can explain the possible consequences and downsides of probate for your family members and assist in taking steps for probate avoidance. Our legal team also helps families who are going through the probate process and we try to make this process as stress-free as possible.

Unfortunately, probate can be complex and have complicated court proceedings, while already grieving a loss. Some of the ways the process can impact families include:

  • Causing delays in receiving an inheritance. If you are waiting for money that was left by the decedent that you plan to use for education, support your household, or accomplish other tasks, it may take up to a year. At times, it may be takes less, but could also stretch for a longer period, depending upon the size and complexity of the estate and whether problems arise like a will contest.
  • Reducing the value of an inheritance due to costs, mismanagement or delays. Probate costs could reach around three to seven percent of the estate’s value, which may leave less money and property for beneficiaries to inherit. Also, the executor is not guaranteed to always make the best decisions to manage assets or act timely.
  • Causing stress and confusion a troublesome time. The probate process is complicated for most families and requires legal knowledge to navigate the court system.

Sinclair Prosser Gasior can provide assistance to help avoid the probate process. With the use of trusts or other estate planning tools, you can minimize what assets transfer through probate, or even try to limit the need altogether, in order for your family to avoid the additional stress.

  • 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: Probate, Probate avoidance Tagged With: asset transfer, Inheritance Planning, Inheritance Protection, Maryland Estate Planning and Elder Law firm, Maryland Probate, Maryland probate attorney, Maryland probate attorney Victor A. Lembo, Orphans Court, Probate Avoidance, probate court, probate process, Register of Wills

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Bowie probate attorneys
Why Might an Estate Become Involved in Litigation?
Attorney at desk writing on paper
Preparing to Meet with a Probate Attorney
Comparing the Roles of Trustees and Personal Representatives
two people in court room
Is Formal Probate Required?
probate
Prepare for Probate
Sorting Household Stuff: A Guide for Personal Representatives

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