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Category Archives: Probate

3 times when a probate proceeding may still be necessary

Why You May Still Have to Open a Legal Probate Proceeding

By Andre O. McDonald |

Probate is the legal process for recognizing the validity of a person’s will after their death and appointing the nominated decision maker. This person, also known as an executor or personal representative, administers the deceased person’s estate and ensures that their money and property are transferred to the beneficiaries specified in their will. If… Read More »

How to avoid probate issues with proper estate planning

Proper Estate Planning Reduces Probate Issues

By Andre O. McDonald |

Probate is a legal process that happens after someone dies. While probate can be complex, lengthy, and expensive, proper estate planning can mitigate unwanted risks and probate issues by anticipating what might happen and preventing problems before they arise. Sound estate planning can make the probate process run efficiently and smoothly, protecting your estate’s… Read More »

3 Celebrity Probate Disasters

Three Celebrity Probate Disasters and Tragic Lessons

By Andre O. McDonald |

One would assume that celebrities with extreme wealth would take steps to protect their estates. But think again: some of the world’s richest and most famous people enter the pearly gates with no estate plan, while others have made estate planning mistakes that tied up their fortunes and heirs in court for years. Let… Read More »

What are the pros and cons of probate?

The Pros and Cons of Probate

By Andre O. McDonald |

In estate planning circles, the word “probate” often carries a negative connotation. Indeed, for many people—especially those with valuable accounts and property—financial planners recommend trying to keep accounts and property out of probate whenever possible. That being said, the probate system was ultimately established to protect the deceased’s accounts and property as well as… Read More »

3 Key Reasons Why You Probably Want to Avoid Probate

3 Reasons to Avoid Probate

By Andre O. McDonald |

When you pass away, your family may need to sign certain documents as part of a probate process in order to claim their inheritance. This can happen if you own property (like a house, car, bank account, investment account, or other asset) in your name only and you have not  completed a beneficiary, pay-on-death,… Read More »

Notice to Creditors and the Probate Process

Notice to Creditors: Understanding the Probate Process

By Andre O. McDonald |

Avoiding probate through legal techniques is a great strategy to save taxes, keep your estate from public proceedings, and avoid the need for court approval every step of the way. It can save you time, frustration, and in many cases, significant attorney and court fees. After your death, your personal representative – sometimes referred… Read More »

Understanding how the Court handles estate administration

How Does the Court Handle Estate Administration?

By Andre O. McDonald |

Probate is the method by which judicial officials, including probate judges, process a decedent’s will. While state probate laws may vary, the general process of estate administration is quite similar across the country. Probate is the process of proving wills for decedents. A probate judge will also oversee cases where the deceased person did… Read More »

Probate process: what you need to know

What is the Probate Process?

By Andre O. McDonald |

Probate is the legal process for authenticating a deceased person’s last will and testament, reviewing their assets, paying their outstanding debts and taxes, and distributing what remains to their heirs. After an asset-holder dies, the court will appoint the person nominated as personal representative under a valid will to administer the estate of the… Read More »

who does a probate attorney actually represent - the personal representative or the heirs?

Does the Probate Attorney Represent the Personal Representative or the Estate Heirs?

By Andre O. McDonald |

Whether you are the Personal Representative or an heir of the probate estate, knowing the role of a probate attorney is one of the first steps you should take at the beginning of the probate process. One of the biggest sources of conflict in probating the estate is understanding who the probate attorney hired… Read More »

How to keep nosy neighbor Nellie from snooping on your probate case!

Yes, Nosy Neighbor Nellie Can Find Out About Your Probate Case!

By Andre O. McDonald |

Most people think of probate (the process of collecting, managing, and distributing a deceased person’s money and property) as a private process. However, because wills are filed at the courthouse (in Maryland, Wills are filed with the Register of Wills and In the District of Columbia, Wills are filed with the Probate Division for… Read More »

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For help with estate planning, special needs planning or elder law throughout Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore County; and Baltimore City, contact McDonald Law Firm, LLC.

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McDonald Law Firm, LLC

Columbia Office

10500 Little Patuxent Pkwy, #420
Columbia, MD 21044-3563

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(By Appointment Only)

7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800 West
Bethesda, MD 20814

Washington, DC Office:

2101 L Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20037

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