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
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
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 surprise, especially when they believe everything has already been handled Read more
When people think about estate planning, they usually think about wills and trusts. But there’s a critical piece that is often overlooked: How your real estate is titled. In Washington, DC and Maryland, estate plans frequently fail—not because the documents were drafted incorrectly, but because the deeds were never aligned Read more
Homeowners frequently ask whether they should transfer their home into an LLC or a trust. Sometimes the question comes from a lender, an accountant, or an online article promising asset protection or tax benefits. What’s often missing from those discussions is what actually happens on title and for transfer taxes Read more
Dealing with the passing of a loved one is already stressful enough, but often when a property owner passes away, of the first questions families ask is: What happens to the house now? In Washington, DC and Maryland, the answer depends entirely on how the property was titled before death. Read more