Easton Estate Planning Lawyer You Can Rely On

If we’re honest with ourselves, the fact that we are one day going to die is generally not something that we think about during the course of our busy day. Nor do we need to dwell on it. But because we know it’s the one thing in life that’s guaranteed to occur, isn’t it best to have an attorney prepare your last will and testament so that it’s done correctly at a reasonable cost, allowing you to move on with the other important tasks of life?

At Atwell Law, LLC, centrally located on the Eastern Shore in Easton, Maryland, I will sit down with you in a relaxed, no-pressure consultation to answer your questions and prepare your will the way you want it the first time without the need to rewrite it in the future unless you so desire.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services In Maryland

Estate planning involves more than preparing a simple will. As an experienced estate planning attorney, I help clients develop strategies that address their complete financial picture and family circumstances.

A thorough estate plan may include:

• Wills: Documents that specify how your assets will be distributed after your death
• Trusts: Legal arrangements that can protect assets and provide for beneficiaries, including special needs trusts for family members with disabilities
• Powers of attorney: Authority for someone you trust to handle financial decisions if you become unable to do so
• Healthcare directives: Instructions for medical care if you cannot communicate your wishes

For families with members who have disabilities, special needs trusts preserve eligibility for government benefits while providing enhanced care and quality of life. Each family faces unique circumstances, so I tailor every estate plan to match your goals and protect what matters most to you.

Protecting Your Loved Ones With Thoughtful Planning

Planning for your family’s future requires careful consideration of each person’s needs. As a father of a son with autism, I understand the concerns parents face when planning for a child with special needs. This personal experience shapes how I approach these sensitive matters and allows me to provide compassionate guidance to families navigating similar circumstances.

Working with an estate planning attorney offers important advantages:

• Legal accuracy: Properly drafted documents that comply with Maryland law and avoid costly mistakes
• Personalized solutions: Plans tailored to your family’s unique situation, including special needs planning
• Peace of mind: Confidence that your wishes will be carried out and your loved ones protected
• Ongoing support: Guidance as your circumstances change over time

I work with families throughout Easton and the Eastern Shore to create plans that provide security and ensure your loved ones receive care according to your wishes.

Common Questions About Maryland Estate Planning

The following questions address issues that can affect what your loved ones receive, how probate moves forward and how your online property may be handled after death:

Do beneficiaries in Maryland have to pay an inheritance tax?

Beneficiaries in Maryland may have to pay inheritance tax, depending on how the person receiving property was related to the person who died. Maryland generally exempts close family members, including a spouse, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, stepchild, parent, grandparent, sibling and a child’s spouse. A registered domestic partner may also qualify.

People outside those groups may owe the tax. This often includes a niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend or other collateral beneficiary. The current rate is 10% of the property passing to that person. This tax is not the same as the estate tax because it focuses on who receives the property.

What is the difference between a small estate and a regular estate in Maryland?

A small estate in Maryland has probate property valued at $50,000 or less. If the surviving spouse is the only heir or legatee, the small estate limit is $100,000. A regular estate applies when the value is higher than those limits.

The main difference is the amount of court and probate work involved. A small estate often needs fewer filings because there is less probate property. A regular estate has more formal steps, which may include bond requirements, newspaper publication and more detailed reports. The key number is the value of the property in the deceased person’s sole name.

How does Maryland estate law treat digital assets like cryptocurrency and social media accounts?

Maryland law treats digital assets as electronic records in which a person has a right or interest. This can include email, online photos, social media accounts, cloud storage and some cryptocurrency records. Still, access is not automatic.

You may use an online tool offered by a company to name who can access or manage some digital assets. That choice can override a conflicting instruction in a will, trust or power of attorney if the tool allows changes. Estate planning documents can also give this power.

Let Me Handle The Legal Burden

If you need a will, have recently lost a family member and require assistance with sorting through their affairs, or have questions that need to be addressed, please contact me. I will be more than happy to assist you. Call my office at 410-443-0403 or fill out my online form to schedule an appointment.