Bethesda Estate Planning

Find the right Wills & Trusts attorney in Bethesda, MD

In Bethesda, "estate planning" refers to all of the decisions affecting how a person's property is going to be disposed of after their death, as well as the procedure of implementing those decisions when the time comes.

The problems that estate planning raises are sometimes very complicated. Without competent legal and financial advice, many problems can pop up, which can quickly throw your entire plan into disarray, and cost your survivors a great deal of time, energy, and money.

In addition to post-death decisions, estate planning also concerns issues that might affect you during your life, such as granting power of attorney to a family member or trusted friend in case you become unable to make your own decisions regarding your finances or medical care. Moreover, effective estate planning can minimize the impact that estate taxes and court fees will have on your final disposition to your loved ones.

A reliable Bethesda professional experienced in estate planning can make this procedure a great deal easier. They can also help ensure that your estate plan does not end up in court.

Common Features of Bethesda Estates

Will: This is typically a major component in any estate plan. A will is a document in which a person lays out what they want done with their property after their death. These gifts typically have the effect of transferring legal ownership of the property to the named beneficiary.

Living Will: A living will contains instructions about your medical care, usually for the purpose of informing your family and doctors of your preferences if you suddenly become incapacitated. A living will is quite critical if you have any strong preferences in this area. It should be written with the advice of a doctor, so you know the particular medical consequences of your decisions, and a lawyer, so it is virtually guaranteed to be legally binding.

Power of Attorney: Power of attorney, while important, is not to be used lightly. This is because it involves granting someone else the power to make legally-binding decisions on your behalf. Typically, your spouse will automatically have power of attorney if you become incapacitated. If you are not married, however, you need to make a document explicitly granting that authority to someone you trust (a life partner or close family member, for instance).

Funeral Arrangements: Some people, for religious and other reasons, have very particular wishes regarding the disposal of their remains after they die. Some want to be buried. Others, cremated. No matter what your preferences on this matter are, it's important that you inform your family of them far in advance. These instructions should be included in a document that is likely to be read before your death (such as a living will), or very shortly thereafter. This excludes a will, because it's frequently weeks after a person dies until their will is read.

Do I Need a Bethesda Estates Lawyer?

A flawed estate plan in Bethesda can result in those affected by it being confused as to your intent, which can then lead to disputes between them. A reliable attorney can frequently avoid this confusion by ensuring that there is as little ambiguity as possible in your will and other related documents.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Bethesda

Bethesda is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is northwest of Washington D.C. The city was named after a local church--the Bethesda Meeting House. It is known as one of Maryland's most affluent and highly educated communities. In facts, Forbes Magazine listed it first in "America's Most Educated Small Towns."

Two popular sites include The National Institute of Health and the National Naval Medical Center Other attractions include Capital Crescent Trail, Burning Tree Club, and Bethesda Avenue.

Large corporations that have a presence in Bethesda include American Capital, AREVA, Inc., Cambridge Information Group, Coventry Health Care, GetWellNetwork, HMSHost, Honest Tea, Host Hotels Resorts, Iridium Satellite LLC, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, and the United States Enrichment Corporation. Although not large, the legal industry does have a presence in Bethesda as well because the city is home to attorneys who practice in various fields of law.

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