Maryland Estates Lawyer Explains The Importance of Creating a Will Now

As a wills and trusts lawyer in Bethesda and Upper Marlboro, it’s easy to see why so many people put off writing their will.  After all, no one really wants to think about their own death, let alone prepare for it.  In reality, though, preparing by creating a will is exactly what we should all be doing.  There are plenty of reasons to consider, and any reputable wills and trusts lawyer will be able to go through the list with you to ensure that you are protecting your assets and the people you love.

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Long-Term Care Awareness: Facing the Facts and Being Prepared

Long-term care is an issue most people avoid like the plague.  No one likes to think about getting old, losing their independence or having to spend any length of time in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.

Because of these fears, many people tune the issue of long-term care planning out all together.   They plug their ears to the warnings of their financial advisors, doctors and even close family and friends that the time to plan for the inevitable is now.

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Your Current Estate Plan May Do More Harm Than You Think

Online estate plans and document “kits” are all the rage these days.  They typically appeal to people who are looking to save money and at least get something in writing should they pass away.

I’ve actually worked with quite a few of such people in my own practice, namely when their do-it-yourself plan backfires and fails to protect their loved ones in a true emergency.

It’s no secret that budget estate plans notoriously fall apart and set well-meaning people up for a nasty TRICK, instead of a treat, when the unthinkable happens.  And the worst part is that it often costs families far more to fix these mistakes than it would have to work with an attorney in the first place.

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Bethesda and Upper Marlboro Estate Planning Can Help You Make Medical Decisions for Your Same-Sex Partner

While some states have enacted marriage equality laws, others are not offering the same rights and privileges to same-sex couples.  In either situation, however, most estate planning lawyers can tell you that there are still important steps to take to protect your right to make medical decisions for your partner.  In Maryland, as in other places, it all starts with a power of attorney.

A medical power of attorney is used to specifically name the person who can make your medical decisions when you are unable.  Sometimes this document may be referred to as a health care proxy.  By naming your same-sex partner, you are providing him or her with the legal rights needed to step up and make those choices.  In cases where a power of attorney for healthcare has not been created, it’s not unheard of for the same-sex partner to be barred from the room while the patient’s parents or siblings are given the responsibility of making medical decisions.

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How You Can Work With A Bethesda or Upper Marlboro Elder Law Attorney to Shield Your Assets From Nursing Home Costs

Many Bethesda and Upper Marlboro seniors are making strides toward estate planning by working with their elder law attorneys to set up what they believe are the appropriate wills and trusts.  The goals with this type of planning are most commonly to:

  • avoid probate,
  • make decisions regarding trust administration,
  • and—most importantly—to protect your assets for your heirs.

Unfortunately, this final criterion isn’t always met in traditional wills and trusts.

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