Codicil to will by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free A “Codicil” is a legal term that means an amendment to a person’s Last Will and Testament (“Will”). Like a Will, a Codicil must be in writing and must identify the Will in question. The language typically used is similar to this: “On this ______… Continue reading What is a Codicil To a Will?
In Maryland and the District of Columbia, most people prepare a Last Will &Testament (“Will”) as a means of providing final instructions for such matters as burials and how property/assets are to be distributed upon passing. But there is another important reason to have a Will drafted and properly executed: avoiding probate litigation among family… Continue reading Maryland and DC Estate Planning Attorneys Explain How a Last Will and Testament Can Avoid Family Probate Litigation
If you are preparing your Last Will & Testament (and other Maryland/DC estate planning documents), among other things stated in your Will, you will need to nominate a “personal representative” (and, often, a secondary and tertiary personal representative). In some jurisdictions, this person is called an “Executor.” So, the question is: what does a personal… Continue reading Maryland and DC Estate Planning Attorneys: What Does a Personal Representative Do?
Preparing a Last Will & Testament is important for many reasons, even for younger people. A Will is an official legal document that allows the person making the Will to direct what will happen to their assets after death. A Will must be prepared and executed in the proper manner pursuant to Maryland law to… Continue reading Top Reasons For Having a Will in Maryland
Estate planning in Maryland and the District of Columbia is not just for those in mid-life or for seniors. One important reason for this is that estate planning is not just about creating and executing a Last Will & Testament. There are several other important documents that should be considered and drafted that are just… Continue reading You Need More Than Just A Last Will & Testament
Choosing a Personal Representative is one of the decisions that must be made when a person has a Last Will & Testament drafted. In many States, the word used is an “Executor.” Maryland has some legal rules with respect to who can be chosen as a Personal Representative. Here is a quick primer. What does… Continue reading Maryland Wills: Who Can Be My Personal Representative/Executor
In simple terms, a trust is a legal arrangement – almost always created through written trust documents – where legal ownership of property is given over to the trust There are many types of trusts that can be created under Maryland statutes and trusts can be used for a variety of purposes. The most common… Continue reading Some Basics on Creating a Trust Under Maryland Law
Once you have signed your Last Will & Testament (with attesting witnesses), several steps should be taken to keep your Will safe. First, the original Will should be kept somewhere safe with other legal papers and important things like deeds, vehicle titles, stock certificates and the like. Options include a safe or locked file cabinet… Continue reading Maryland and DC: I Have Signed My Will (With Witnesses) – What Do I With It?
A will—often legally titled a “Last Will & Testament”—is a written document signed by a person (and attested) that directs how the person’s assets are to be distributed and disposed of after death. For example, if a person has an automobile that they want to go to a friend or favorite nephew, then that person… Continue reading Requirements for Valid Wills in Maryland and DC
In Maryland, a child (or others expecting an inheritance) has no binding right to an expected inheritance even if a parent says to the child that they will be “leaving everything” to the child. This oral statement is not a binding or enforceable contract in Maryland. This is true even if spouses say to each… Continue reading Maryland Estate Planning: Is a Contract To Make A Will Valid?
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