”Cary was very professional and knowledgeable. I hired her practice to do my will and my experience was nothing short of excellent.
We help our clients plan for their futures – both expected and unexpected. Our attorneys provide estate planning that protects our clients, their families, and their assets.
Many people believe that estate planning is only for the wealthy, or the sick and elderly. The truth is that any adult over the age of 18 can benefit from estate planning.
We help our clients plan for their futures – both expected and unexpected. Our attorneys provide estate planning that protects our clients, their families, and their assets.
Many people believe that estate planning is only for the wealthy, or the sick and elderly. The truth is that any adult over the age of 18 can benefit from estate planning.
Wills
A Will, (also called A Last Will and Testament), is a legal document that controls how your property is distributed after death. A Will allows you to prepare for the administration of your estate by naming a Personal Representative (sometimes known as an Executor) who will be responsible for paying your final debts and taxes as well as managing the distribution of your assets. Your Will can also name a guardian who will physically care for any under-age children.
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney allows you to name another trusted individual to handle your financial affairs if and when you are unable to do so yourself. Your Power of Attorney can have extensive powers to make decisions on your behalf, or it can be limited in scope. Having a Power of Attorney is beneficial if you are ever seriously injured, declared legally incompetent, become ill, or are otherwise unable to make decisions for yourself. Without a Power of Attorney, your family may have to petition the court to appoint you guardian in order to handle your financial affairs.
Trusts
A Trust offers more flexibility than a Will and can be very important if you have young children. In a Trust, you name a Trustee who will be responsible for managing assets for your young children until they have reached a certain age (e.g., 25).
Advance Medical Directive
An Advance Medical Directive (also known Durable Medical Power of Attorney or Living Will) allows you to name another trusted individual to make medical decisions for you if and when you are unable to make them yourself. It also allows you to determine what, if any, life-sustaining procedures (such as machines and artificial nutrition) you would want administered or withheld. Without an Advance Medical Directive, your family must petition the court to be appointed as a guardian over you to make decisions for you which may not reflect your own wishes.
Wills
A Will, (also called A Last Will and Testament), is a legal document that controls how your property is distributed after death. A Will allows you to prepare for the administration of your estate by naming a Personal Representative (sometimes known as an Executor) who will be responsible for paying your final debts and taxes as well as managing the distribution of your assets. Your Will can also name a guardian who will physically care for any under-age children.
Trusts
A Trust offers more flexibility than a Will and can be very important if you have young children. In a Trust, you name a Trustee who will be responsible for managing assets for your young children until they have reached a certain age (e.g., 25).
Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney allows you to name another trusted individual to handle your financial affairs if and when you are unable to do so yourself. Your Power of Attorney can have extensive powers to make decisions on your behalf, or it can be limited in scope. Having a Power of Attorney is beneficial if you are ever seriously injured, declared legally incompetent, become ill, or are otherwise unable to make decisions for yourself. Without a Power of Attorney, your family may have to petition the court to appoint you guardian in order to handle your financial affairs.
Advance Medical Directive
An Advance Medical Directive (also known Durable Medical Power of Attorney or Living Will) allows you to name another trusted individual to make medical decisions for you if and when you are unable to make them yourself. It also allows you to determine what, if any, life-sustaining procedures (such as machines and artificial nutrition) you would want administered or withheld. Without an Advance Medical Directive, your family must petition the court to be appointed as a guardian over you to make decisions for you which may not reflect your own wishes.
A Will (also known as a Last Will and Testament) is a legal document that outlines how you want to distribute your assets upon your death.
In Maryland, the administrator of a person’s estate is called the Personal Representative. They may also be known as the executor or executrix.
A guardian is the person appointed to physically care for minor children in the event of a person’s death.
A trustee is a person appointed to manage money or assets on behalf of the beneficiaries of a trust.
Any asset that is not jointly titled and does not have a specific beneficiary designation.
A trust that is created at the time of a person’s death within a person’s Will. Typically, this is for the benefit of children if they are younger than a specified age.
A trust that is created and funded during a person’s life that can be amended or revoked.
A trust that is created and funded during a person’s life that cannot be amended or revoked without the permission of the beneficiary.
An individual who receives property left to them by the deceased.
The legal process that determines whether a person’s will is valid. The process in Maryland typically takes a minimum of six months and has some administrative fees associated that must be paid.
A legal document that designates someone to act on your behalf in the event you are unable to do so.
A legal document that designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable to do so.
A legal document that provides directions for life-saving treatments you may or may not want under different circumstances.
Jacobson Family Law serves clients across Annapolis, Columbia, Ellicott City, Towson, Owings Mills, Baltimore, and Frederick. To speak to an attorney, call 443-917-1517 or schedule an appointment.