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What Are the Inheritance Rights of Adopted and Step-Children in Maryland?

In the state of Maryland, adoptive children lose all inheritance rights from their biological parents but gain full inheritance rights from their adoptive parents. If an adopted child is left out of a will, Maryland’s intestacy laws are used to determine the adoptive child’s share.   Step-children do not acquire inheritance rights from their adoptive […]

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Remote Notarization of Documents in Maryland

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Governor Larry Hogan issued an Executive Order that waives the requirement of in-person notarization of documents, thereby authorizing remote notarization of documents during the COVID-19 emergency in Maryland. Release from the Office of the Secretary of State: Effective March 30th, Governor Hogan ordered the in-person requirement for notarizing documents in Maryland is temporarily waived for […]

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For How Long is a Maryland Will Valid?

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As a general rule, a will governs the distribution of assets only after the testator dies. Any changes to a will that are made during the testator’s lifetime will be valid. A will is not active until the owner of the assets passes. For example, if a testator wills her home to her son, but […]

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Does the Personal Representative of a Will Have to be a Maryland Resident?

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The Personal Representative does not need to be a Maryland resident. However, a Maryland resident must act as the agent of the Personal Representative. Typically this is a lawyer who is familiar with the laws and the Will. This individual has to be appointed at the beginning of the process. But anyone can be appointed […]

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Maryland Estate Planning: Is a Living Trust a Good Idea?

A living trust is a written legal document that places assets in a trust which can still be used by the principle. Once the principle dies, the trust can be transferred to the designated beneficiaries. There are many benefits to creating a living trust. One reason to create a living trust is to avoid probate. […]

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Montgomery Village, Maryland Estate Planning & Will Filing

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As an estate planning lawyer, I encounter clients in Maryland who 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 safe keeping and quick access to your Will by the court that will handle probate for your estate. […]

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Olney Maryland Estate Planning & Will Filing

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As an estate planning lawyer, I encounter clients in Maryland who 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 safe keeping and quick access to your Will by the court that will handle probate for your estate. […]

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When are Maryland Will Contents Reveled?

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The contents of the Will may be revealed to family members and interested parties after the person has died. This disclosure is done by the Personal Representative for the estate. The Personal Representative, or an attorney on their behalf, have a duty to properly notify all those who could receive distributions from the estate. The […]

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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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Maryland Wills & Estate Planning: Disposing of Property Restrictions

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Are there any restrictions in the state of Maryland on the manner in which a will may dispose of property and can a wife or child be disinherited? A surviving spouse has certain rights that could alter the way in which you intended to dispose of your assets. Maryland laws prevent a spouse from being […]

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