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 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. 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 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 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 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 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, 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 Read more
When someone passes away owning property in more than one state, their estate may not be handled in just one place. In many cases, a second probate proceeding—known as an ancillary estate—is required. For families, this often comes as a Read more
Do you own property in Maryland but live in another state? Did you know that an out-of-state death can trigger a 1% probate fee in Maryland? Many homeowners own property in more than one state. But what often goes unnoticed Read more
