Understanding the Estate Planning and Probate Process in Maryland
Thinking about end of life matters can be frightening. Many people do not want to think about what will happen after they die. Even though it can be hard to think about death, it is important. Writing a will or working with a lawyer to draft your estate planning documents can save your family a great deal of trouble after your death.
If you want to work with an experienced attorney to draft your estate planning documents or if you recently lost a loved one and are responsible for probating their estate, I can help.
I am Dale Watson, Attorney at Law, and I have more than 30 years of experience representing clients throughout Salisbury and the eastern shore of Maryland. Contact me online or call 410-546-4694 to schedule your free initial consultation.
Drafting Estate Planning Documents
Writing a will is important. It is your opportunity to tell your family how you want your assets divided. Even in families where there is little fighting, death can shorten people's emotional capacity, and having a document that clearly explains how matters should be handled can make a large difference. I work with clients to help them draft all estate planning documents, including:
- Wills: A will dictates how your assets should be divided after your death.
- Powers of attorney: Powers of attorney come into effect if you are alive but unable to make your own decisions. This enables another person to act your behalf to make financial decisions.
- Living wills: A living will dictates end of life decisions regarding health care options. A living will indicates ones intentions regarding life supports when ones deaths is imminent, which includes the use of a respirator, defibrillator and feeding tubes.
- Advance health care directives: In the event that a person cannot make decisions for any reason, an advance directive appoints someone to make those decisions for you.
Probating an Estate
After a person dies, everything in their estate must be probated. All assets must be identified, valuated and passed on to the appropriate heirs and beneficiaries after debts are paid. In Maryland, every part of the probate process is closely regulated by rules and timelines. Working with an experienced lawyer can help ensure everything is correctly filed and rules are followed.
Schedule your free initial consultation with Dale Watson, Attorney at Law, an experienced estate planning and probate attorney by contacting me online or by calling 410-546-4694.
