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Charles County Estate Planning Attorney

Thinking about your own death may not seem like a pleasant prospect. While estate planning may seem easy to put off, the truth is that anyone can pass away suddenly and without notice. It is crucial in these situations to have an estate plan in place so your loved ones are taken care of.

At our Charles County law firm, we are ready to stand by you as you craft the right estate plan for your unique situation. This may include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other documents that protect you and your assets both now and in the future.

If you are an estate executor or trustee who must deal with the probate process, it is critical to have a trusted lawyer help you with these duties. Contact our legal team for emotional support, legal advice, and stalwart representation in your estate planning or estate administration needs.

Practice Areas

Advance Healthcare Directives

We help individuals clarify their wishes so healthcare providers and family members know how to care for them should they become incapacitated.

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Estate Administration

Our legal team offers assistance, guidance, and representation for individuals administering an estate on behalf of a loved one.

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Trusts

Attorney Selby and her team craft trusts that provide financial security now and in the future.

A last will and testament rests on a surface; a pen lies beside it, ready for signing; reading glasses are positioned nearby.

Wills

We’ll be by your side to prepare the right will for your situation, including modifying the will when family changes occur.

Why Choose Us?

We Do Law Differently

Unlike other law firms, we care deeply about each client’s success. We’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and provide answers in terms you can understand. We’ll also communicate throughout the process so you can be involved in every decision.

Easy

Our promise to you is to make estate planning and probate as easy as possible, with personalized services that are right for you, your family, and your budget. We’ll explain your options and help you make the right decisions for your unique situation, so you never feel alone

Experienced

Attorney Selby has been practicing law for over 25 years. We know the law can be complex, so we take the time to educate you about your options and how everything works. We don’t use legal jargon but explain things in real-world language, so you can be empowered to make the best decisions for you and your family.

Convenient

You shouldn’t have to spend hours and hours of your life on an estate plan. Much of the work in estate matters can be accomplished via phone, video conference, and email. Documents can be signed and delivered online. But if you’re more comfortable meeting in person, you’re always welcome.

Cost-conscious

Trustworthy legal representation should not be reserved for the wealthiest families. My estate services are customized not only to your needs but to your budget as well. This starts with a free consultation where we can talk about your probate case or what you want out of an estate plan.

Compassionate

We treat each client with care and honesty. From the moment you walk into our office, you’ll recognize our warm, friendly attitude. Call 301-685-7873 now to schedule your free consultation!

A last will and testament document lies on a surface; a pen rests nearby. The document's title is prominently displayed.

Where Should I Start With an Estate Planning or Probate Matter?

If you’ve been holding off on creating an estate plan because you don’t feel ready or you don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. If you’ve lost a loved one and you’re scrambling to deal with estate administration and probate, we’re right there with you. These are emotionally heavy matters that can be difficult to deal with – Attorney Selby has had personal experiences where she has had to deal with them herself. But they are so important. We want to help make this easier for you and your family.

Karen M. Selby, principal attorney at Griffin Selby Law PLLC in Waldorf, Maryland, offers excellent legal services based on decades of legal experience. Attorney Selby proudly serves the community with caring, confidential estate planning services, including will and trust creation. Our team also handles all aspects of probate and estate administration.

What Estate Planning Matters Does Your Law Firm Handle?

At Griffin Selby Law PLLC, we are ready to assist you with a wide range of estate planning issues, including:

Wills

We can help create unique wills that match your family’s circumstances. We’ll be there to adjust or modify your will whenever necessary. We can also represent you if will contests arise during estate administration

Trusts

Our law firm can help you identify whether trusts make sense for your estate plan and choose the right trust or trusts for your unique situation

Estate Planning

Attorney Selby is prepared to help you through every aspect of estate planning, from assessing your options to crafting legally sound documents that give you peace of mind for the future

Probate and Estate Administration

We’ll stand by your side as you navigate the complex processes of probate and estate administration in Maryland

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Why Do I Need a Lawyer When Creating Wills and Trusts?

Many people understand that wills and trusts make up a powerful estate plan. However, too many people think that creating these documents is as simple as downloading a form online. When you try to DIY an estate plan, you might be opening yourself and your family to risks, including predators, unfair taxes, loss of privacy, and disputes.

Please don’t take any chances with your hard-earned wealth. Take the small step today of calling our law firm to learn how we can help protect you and your loved ones. We can assist you by identifying the appropriate documents for your estate plan, ensuring your will and trusts are legally sound, and defending you in case of disputes.

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What Makes Our Law Firm Different?

We want this to be easy for you. Years ago, Attorney Selby lost her best friend suddenly to brain cancer and had to move quickly to get her estate in order. The loss and the related legal issues that families must go through motivated her to focus on estate law.

We want you to have an estate plan that will give you peace of mind and provide for your loved ones. We will work tirelessly to ensure your loved one’s final wishes are not forgotten in the probate process.

You can rely on our legal team for compassionate assistance as you protect your property in a sound estate plan. If you find yourself navigating the estate administration process, we can assist you so you can focus on spending time with loved ones.

What Documents Should I Have in My Estate Plan?

Creating the right estate plan hinges on having the proper documents for your needs. Luckily, there are many options to choose from to get the best results possible. For example, having a will is foundational for many Maryland estate plans because it names an executor, indicates a guardian for any minor children, and offers direction for passing on the inheritance. Trusts work alongside wills by providing more specific methods of passing on the inheritance. Using a trust can also be an excellent form of asset protection. Healthcare directives can also provide instruction and peace of mind if you become incapacitated due to illness, injury, or old age.

What Happens After the Death of a Loved One with a Trust Fund?

More and more individuals are choosing to include trusts as part of their estate plans. It might be worth thinking about creating a trust to protect your assets from creditors, predators, and unnecessary taxes. If your loved one died with a trust, the items in the trust will now be managed by a trustee, who should be named in the trust document. The trustee should take great care to inventory all the assets in the trust, notify beneficiaries of the grantor’s death, and divide the assets according to the grantor’s wishes. In some cases, funds will be distributed over a long period of time. Other trusts result in generous donations to charities. Reach out to our law firm for help creating or administering a trust.

What Is the Difference Between a Trust and a Will?

Trusts and wills operate in similar ways, so it is common to confuse the two terms. However, trusts and wills serve different functions, and both can be helpful in a Maryland estate plan. For example, a will names individuals who play a crucial role in the estate administration process, such as the executor. A will can also dictate what assets will be assigned to which beneficiaries. Trusts, on the other hand, are vehicles for property ownership. With a trust, the grantor gains greater control over how the assets are passed on. With living wills, the person can even control the assets while they are alive. Contact us immediately to discuss whether wills or trusts are appropriate for your circumstances.

Are Wills Required in Maryland?

While a will is not legally required in Maryland, dying intestate, or without a will, can open your family up to several risks. First, your property will likely be distributed according to intestacy laws rather than how you would have wished. In most cases, the majority of the funds go to your spouse and children, meaning distant relatives, friends, and charities could end up with nothing. Furthermore, the court will make any decisions regarding your estate. Finally, dying without a will can mean the court will decide on guardianship for any of your minor children. When you have a valid will, you maintain control over these and other crucial aspects of your estate.

How Can I Use an Estate Plan to Avoid Probate?

Probate can be incredibly complicated, stressful, and draining. It’s no wonder many people come to us asking how to avoid the probate process on behalf of their loved ones! Thankfully, there are ways to minimize how long your family will spend dealing with probate matters after you pass away. When you include trusts in your estate plan, for example, the assets you hold are actually the property of the trust itself, so these funds and properties do not become publicized through probate. You can also enjoy tax benefits, asset protection, and greater control over how the inheritance is passed on to your beneficiaries, depending on what type of trust you use.

What Should I Do if I Have Unique Assets Like Businesses or Real Estate Property?

Estate planning becomes even more complicated when you have significant assets like a business or real estate property. In these cases, it is crucial for you to get legal counsel from a trusted professional like those at Griffin Selby Law PLLC. We’ll take the time to assess your situation and give you options for your unique circumstances. For example, you may wish to utilize a living trust to control your property while you’re alive and protect your loved ones from disputes and extra taxation after you pass away.

What Are the Steps of Estate Administration in Maryland?

Maryland estate administration involves several steps that must be followed to avoid legal issues in the future. The executor is typically responsible for ensuring that every aspect of the administration occurs properly. Some steps include inventorying the estate, notifying creditors of the person’s death, paying off existing debts, filing taxes, and distributing any remaining funds among beneficiaries. We highly recommend hiring an estate planning lawyer to ensure the process is followed completely. When an executor makes a mistake in the administration process, it can lead to costly disputes and lengthy legal battles. Protect yourself and your family by calling Griffin Selby Law PLLC today.

What Types of Trusts Can I Choose from in My Estate Plan?

Various types of trust can be helpful in a Maryland estate plan. With the help of an estate planning lawyer like Attorney Selby, you can rest assured that your money and assets will be in the right kind of trust. Some examples of possible trusts include revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, spendthrift trusts, charitable trusts, and living trusts. Each of these offers unique benefits and potential downsides. Before establishing a trust in your estate plan, please speak to our attorney about your options.

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Can Our Charles County Estate Planning Attorney Help You?

Choosing the right estate planning lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. You deserve someone who will listen carefully to your concerns, offer honest advice, and stand by you when problems arise. You deserve the law office of Griffin Selby Law PLLC.

We offer flat-rate pricing so you don’t have to worry about any surprises when it comes to payment. You can count on our legal team to dedicate our time and energy to creating the best possible estate plan for you and your family.

We provide free consultations to address our clients’ initial questions about estate planning or administration. Call 301-685-7873 to schedule an appointment, or complete this convenient contact form to send us an email.

Contact Us Today

Charles County Estate Planning Attorney

Practice Areas

Advance Healthcare Directives

Estate Administration

Trusts

Wills

Why Choose Us?

We Do Law Differently

Easy

Experienced

Convenient

Cost-conscious

Compassionate

Where Should I Start With an Estate Planning or Probate Matter?

What Estate Planning Matters Does Your Law Firm Handle?

Wills

Trusts

Estate Planning

Probate and Estate Administration

Why Do I Need a Lawyer When Creating Wills and Trusts?

Our Latest Blog Posts

Creating an incentive trust for the benefit of your family

Estate planning after winning the lottery

Clarity is crucial when designating beneficiaries

What Makes Our Law Firm Different?

Can Our Charles County Estate Planning Attorney Help You?

Contact Us To Schedule Your Free Consultation

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