Author Archives: Andre O. McDonald
12 Executor Duties You Can’t Ignore When a Loved One Dies
If you’ve been appointed an executor of a loved one’s estate, or a successor trustee, and that person dies, your grief – not to mention your to-do list, including tasks ranging from planning the funeral, coordinating relatives coming in from out of town and (eventually) meeting with a trust administration or probate lawyer –… Read More »
Benefits of Lifetime QTIP Trusts (The Gift That Keeps on Giving)
Estate planning for married couples can be tricky when one spouse is significantly wealthier than the other and each spouse wants different beneficiaries to ultimately inherit their estate. One solution to this problem is the Lifetime QTIP Trust. What is a Lifetime QTIP Trust? One traditional estate planning model for married couples… Read More »
3 “Super Powers” Every Trust Protector Should Have
Today, many estate plans in Maryland contain irrevocable trusts that will continue for the benefit of a spouse’s lifetime, and then for the benefit of several generations. Since these trusts are designed to span multiple decades, it is important that they include a trust protector who will have the ability to adjust the trust… Read More »
4 Tips for Avoiding a Trust or Will Contest
A trust or will contest can derail your final wishes, rapidly deplete your estate, and tear your loved ones apart. If you are concerns about the possibility of challenges to your estate plan, the best way to prevent a trust or will contest is with proper planning. 4 Ways to help your family… Read More »
Avoid Living Probate: How to Keep Guardians and Conservators Out of Your Estate (UPDATED: May 2019)
While most proactive individuals know the importance of having a well-rounded estate plan, it is typically considered as something that will take effect after they have passed away. But there are in fact many ways in which comprehensive estate planning can have a positive impact on your life while you are still around to… Read More »
Attention Parents: Make Sure You Can Be a Parent to Your College-Aged Child in an Emergency!
With the new school year rapidly approaching and every parent knows that preparing to send their son or daughter to college is one of the most exciting and nerve-wrecking period in raising a child! You’ll worry whether they will eat properly, study enough, get good grades, or get enough sleep. While we can’t help… Read More »
Lifetime Planning vs. Deathtime Planning (and why you need both)
There is a misconception among the general public that “estate planning” is only for the wealthy. According to a March 2017 survey by Caring.com, six out of ten Americans have no will or any other kind of estate plan in place. Many said they’d get around to it, eventually. When they’re old. (The survey… Read More »
How Can I Protect My Children’s Inheritance?
Parents who develop an estate plan often do so to provide for their heirs financially. In Columbia, MD and beyond, parents simply want to make sure their hard-earned assets, family heirlooms, and closely held businesses stay within the family. Indeed, one of the most common questions that clients ask is ” How can I… Read More »
Estate Planning for Military Families: Are You Protected? (UPDATED: August 2019)
No matter the time of year, it is always a good opportunity for members of the military and their loved ones to consider setting up — or revising an existing —estate plan. Military families need to consider special estate-planning issues that others do not. This is particularly true when one or more family members… Read More »
Caution: Writing Your Own Deed to Avoid Probate Can Lead to Unintended Consequences
Are you wondering how to avoid probate in Maryland? If so, you want to make sure you’re going about it the right way… In Howard County and beyond, one common way to avoid probate of real estate after the owner dies is to hold the title to the property in joint names with rights… Read More »
