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Tag Archives: Baltimore Estate Planning

Can a Non-United States Citizen Serve as a Trustee for a Maryland Trust?

The short answer is yes. Maryland law does not require that a trustee to be a U.S. citizen. According to the Maryland Trust Act, there are only four requirements for a person to qualify as a trustee: They must be 18 years of age, willing to accept the appointment, competent to act within the role, […]

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The Risks of Not Properly Reporting Inherited Property in Maryland

If you inherit property in Maryland, it’s important to be aware of any tax responsibilities that may come with the inheritance. Unreported or misreported tax information can result in liability you hadn’t anticipated.   In Maryland probate, inherited property receives a new tax basis equal to its fair market value at the date of the […]

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Which Assets Should You Leave Out of Your Revocable Trust in Maryland?

A revocable living trust is a powerful way to simplify the probate process for your surviving loved ones. If properly structured, a trust can enable your property to bypass probate in Maryland, which can save time and reduce costs.   Most revocable trusts include a variety of assets, including real estate or investment properties, bank […]

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Things to Consider Before Modifying a Life Estate Deed in Maryland

Life estate deeds are commonly used for estate planning purposes and to avoid probate. If you would like to learn more about life estate deeds, please read our blog post “What Are Life Estate Deeds in Maryland?”   If you are considering modifying your life estate deed, there are some things you should keep in […]

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Incorporating Your Maryland Timeshare Into Your Estate Plan

Timeshares are owned in one of two ways: leased or deeded. Leased, or contractual, ownership provides you with use of the property for specific periods of time. In most cases, the lease is not terminated upon death and there may be limitations on inheritance. When a person passes away, the decedent’s estate is required to […]

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Can a Non-U.S. Citizen Create a Last Will and Testament in Maryland?

The short answer is yes, Maryland law allows non-U.S. citizens to create a Last Will and Testament provided they are at least 18 years of age and of sound mind. Keep in mind that each state may have specific laws governing what a Will should contain, how it should be executed, and any legal requirements […]

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New Estate and Gift Tax Exemption Levels for Maryland

The IRS recently announced an increase in federal estate and gift tax exemptions for 2025. While this change will mainly impact high-net-worth individuals, this may be a good time for you to revisit and reconsider your strategies for transferring wealth moving forward.   The federal estate tax is a tax imposed on any transfer of […]

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What Should I Do with My Estate Plan If One of My Children Provides Most of the Caregiving?

In many instances, most of the caregiving may fall to one of your children. This could be due to several circumstances, most often proximity. If you are in this situation, you may have asked yourself how to fairly acknowledge the caregiving load one child has carried over another.   Here are some strategies to consider […]

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What Is Ancillary Probate in Maryland?

When someone passes away in Maryland, their estate typically goes through probate, but if the deceased person owned real estate or other assets in another state, ancillary probate may be required to transfer ownership of those assets to their heirs or legatees.   The primary probate process occurs in the state where the deceased person […]

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Determining the Value of an Estate in Maryland

Understanding how an estate is valued is a crucial step in the probate process. In the state of Maryland, the valuation of an estate involves several considerations, and navigating these complexities is important for both the Personal Representative and the beneficiaries.   Appraisal of Assets   One of the primary steps in estate valuation is […]

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