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Tag Archives: probate

Isn’t There Already a Law That Leaves Everything to My Spouse and Kids?

By Andre O. McDonald |

You may think that if you die while you are married, everything you own will automatically go to your spouse and children. But you are actually thinking of state rules that apply if someone dies without leaving a will. In legal jargon, this is referred to as dying intestate. In that case, the specifics… Read More »

Understanding how a wrongful death claim impacts probate

How Does a Wrongful Death Claim Impact Probate Proceedings?

By Andre O. McDonald |

A wrongful death claim and probate proceedings are both civil legal matters that occur after somebody has died. When the death of a loved one is caused by another individual or entity, it can lead to the filing of a wrongful death lawsuit and, ultimately, the awarding of compensation to surviving family members. Probate… 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 »

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 »

Transfer on Death Deed: Pros and Cons

Using Beneficiary/Transfer-on-Death Deeds  

By Andre O. McDonald |

What Is a Transfer on Death Deed? If you own real property, such as a home, in your sole name but you have not created a trust and transferred your property’s title to the trust, it is virtually guaranteed that your beneficiaries (or heirs) will have to deal with probate after your death. If… 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

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Columbia, MD 21044-3563

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7315 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800 West
Bethesda, MD 20814

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Washington, DC 20037

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