The law makes a number of assumptions about estate planning and marriage. When divorce happens, some new assumptions are made, but they may not be what’s best for you. Here’s what you need to know about divorce and estate planning in Maryland. If your marriage is headed for divorce, you should get new estate planning documents as soon as possible,…
Estate Planning for Blended Families
If you or your spouse have children from a previous marriage, estate planning provides some added challenges. In Maryland if you die without a will, stepchildren won’t inherit anything if you are survived by your spouse, your own children, siblings, parents, uncles and aunts, cousins, cousin’s children. In other words, your stepchild almost certainly won’t inherit anything from you without…
What Happens if You Don’t Have a Advance Directive
You’ve probably heard horror stories about people who didn’t have advance directives or living wills: Terri Schiavo is the most high-profile example. In Maryland, not having an advance directive means that someone you did not choose could be making important health care decisions that could prolong or shorten your life. An advance directive typically consists of two parts: (1) a health…
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Power of Attorney
A power of attorney is a good idea for nearly everyone in Maryland. With one, you can name a person to manage your financial affairs in case you become disabled. But what happens if you don’t have a power of attorney? If you become disabled, you may need someone else to manage your finances. Without a valid power of attorney,…
What Single People Should Know About Estate Planning in Maryland
Many people don’t think about estate planning until there is a spouse and children. While this is understandable, the need for estate planning is even greater for the unmarried. Estate planning lets you designate someone else to manage your affairs in case of injury, disability or death and put your wishes in writing. If you’re married and don’t have an…