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What Death Taxes are Payable in Maryland?

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Both the federal and state governments impose taxes upon the property/estate of a decedent. A federal estate tax with graduated rates is imposed on all property interests that the decedent owned at the time of death. The federal estate tax applies to probate assets and also to non-probate assets. For example, joint property and insurance […]

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How to Revoke a Maryland Will

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Before deciding to revoke a Will you should discuss the pros and cons with an experienced estate planning attorney. There are many good reasons to revoke a Will but this should almost always include replacing the Will with a new updated Will. Creating a new Will is an excellent way to revoke a prior Will. […]

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Are Maryland Wills Public Records?

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Wills of living persons in Maryland can be filed with the Register of Wills for the county in which the person lives. The wills are held for safekeeping by the Register of Wills but they are not part of the public records. In the State of Maryland you may not review the Will of a […]

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Validity of a Handwritten Will in Maryland

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Under Maryland law a handwritten will, which is also known as a holographic will, is considered legally valid. There is no requirement in Maryland law that a will be typed. That said, the will must still conform with all the other requirements for estate documents as provided for under Maryland law and having a handwritten […]

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Maryland Estate Planning: Creating Estate Planning Documents such as Wills, Trusts, Durable Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives

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Here are some good questions to ask an attorney when you are considering hiring that attorney to create an estate plan for you. These are questions that are sometimes asked of me and I have included my answers after each question. “How do you draft your estate planning documents?” I begin by learning what you […]

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Baltimore, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney: Can a Will be Changed or Modified Years After it Was Created?

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You can change your will at any time by signing an amendment known as a “codicil” or by having a new will prepared. Either a codicil or a new will must be executed with the same formal requirements under Maryland law as the original will. You should not attempt to change your existing will by […]

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Pikesville, Maryland Estate Planning Attorney: Where to File a Will in Pikesville & Baltimore County

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Maryland law allows Wills to be filed with the county in which you live. As an estate planning attorney who works in Pikesville, I have encountered clients who have failed (or their attorney failed) to file their Will with the county. This is a critical final step in the Will creation process as it ensures […]

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Baltimore Estate Planning Attorney: Maryland General and Limited Power of Attorney Act

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Having a Durable Power of Attorney for Finances (DPAF), also called a Financial Power of Attorney, Durable Power of Attorney, or simply a Power of Attorney—allows an individual to act on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated. Having a DPAF is an important document if you own property or have income, investments, or […]

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Maryland Estate Planning Attorney: What if a Trust Does Not Indicate Whether it is Revocable or Irrevocable?

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Under Maryland law, when a Trust is silent as to whether it can be revoked that Trust is usually found to be revocable. For a free, confidential conversation to discuss this and other estate planning matters, or to create your own estate plan, Trust and Will, contact Maryland estate planning attorney Stephen J. Reichert at […]

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Baltimore, Maryland Estate Planning Office: What Happens to Property Obtained After a Will is Created?

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Under Maryland Code, there is a presumption that a Will passes all property the testator owns at the time of her death. This includes all property acquired after the execution of the Will, unless the Will contains specific provisions to the contrary. For a free confidential conversation to discuss these and other estate planning matters, […]

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