Why Should I Hire an Estate Planning Attorney?

Estate planning attorneys can help you create a strategy for future success and current peace of mind. An estate planning attorney will work closely alongside you to help you prepare an estate plan that will protect your assets and ensure your final wishes are carried out as you intended. Estate planning attorneys assist clients who have just undergone major life-changing events, such as an illness, a move across state lines, marriage, or childbirth.

What services can an estate planning attorney provide?

Our estate planning attorneys can assist with the following estate matters:

  • Wills: Writing a will is the most important step in preserving and distributing your assets as intended. In your will, you can include your executors, beneficiaries, establish trusts, and more.
  • Trusts: Trusts are a contract between the estate and a third party that is in charge of the administration of the trust. Trustees need to know how to administer the estate or trust and protect themselves from claims of breach of fiduciary. Many people hire estate planning attorneys for this reason.
  • Probate: The purpose of the probate process is to prove that your loved one’s will is indeed valid. Executors of a will should learn about the probate process through hiring an estate planning attorney.
  • Estate Administration: If you are selected as a personal representative, you are now in charge of completing all the steps of the process, and ultimately closing the estate. If you need guidance on this matter, do not hesitate to contact our firm.
  • Estate Litigation: Many families will hire estate planning attorneys when a dispute arises regarding a trust, a will, or the administration of an estate. Our attorneys have experience in the estate litigation process and are adept at informing individuals on how to understand their obligations, rights, or interests under documents such as wills, trusts, and power of attorney.
  • Financial Planning: There are several different aspects of creating a strong, secure financial plan.
  • Financial planning is extremely important, as it helps lay out your financial hopes and goals, as well as plan for any unforeseen circumstances. For example, if you or someone you love needs serious medical treatment, you may need some extra money to help cover the cost.
  • Asset Preservation: Another important step in writing a successful estate plan, asset preservation allows an individual to pass their assets and limit tax liability to preserve wealth and provide more of it to their beneficiaries.
  • Guardianship: Whether you have a child under the age of 18, or someone you love is currently incapacitated, you must establish guardians in your will. If you pass on, you want someone to raise and care for your child just as you would.

Contact our experienced Maryland firm

The attorneys at JD Katz have years of experience compassionately guiding clients in Maryland through the estate planning and administration process. Our firm also has experience with matters of elder law, business law, tax law, and litigation. For a legal team that will put your needs first, contact JD Katz today.