If you are buying a home, do you have to put your individual name on the deed? Not necessarily. Most homebuyers purchase property in their individual names without giving the issue much thought. But for buyers concerned about privacy, personal security, or keeping their home address from being easily associated Read more
A privacy trust can help Maryland and Washington, DC property owners keep their individual names off the public deed and add an additional layer of privacy to their real estate ownership. When you purchase a home or investment property, do you want anyone with an internet connection to be able Read more
One of the first concerns many families have after a loved one passes away is: “What happens to the mortgage when the owner dies?” Some worry the bank will immediately foreclose. Others believe the entire loan must be paid off immediately. Fortunately, the reality is often less alarming. What happens Read more
One of the most common questions families ask after the death of a parent is: “What happens to the house now?” The answer depends on how the property was owned and what estate planning, if any, was completed before death. Some homes transfer relatively smoothly. Others require probate proceedings, deed Read more
Don’t Wait Too Long to Start Estate Planning Many people know they should have an estate plan. They intend to get around to it someday. After the holidays. After retirement. After the next vacation. After life slows down. Unfortunately, estate planning is one of those things that often gets postponed Read more
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “Should I add my child to my deed so they inherit the house when I die?” At first glance, it seems like a simple solution. By adding a child to the deed, many homeowners hope to: Avoid probate Simplify estate administration Read more
One of the most common misconceptions in estate planning is that having a will allows an estate to avoid probate. It does not. In fact, a will is typically the document that directs how property is distributed through the probate process, not around it. For homeowners and families in Maryland Read more
Many people create a revocable living trust believing it will help their family avoid probate after they pass away. Often, that is exactly what happens. However, simply signing a trust agreement does not automatically avoid probate. In fact, one of the most common estate planning issues I encounter is a Read more
Creating a revocable living trust is only part of the process. For the trust to actually control your real estate, the property must first be properly transferred into the trust. This step is commonly referred to as funding the trust, and it is one of the most overlooked parts of Read more
Owning real estate in more than one state is common. What many property owners don’t realize is that this can create unexpected legal and financial complications after death—especially when no planning has been done in advance. One of the most common questions that comes up is: Do I need a Read more