Steuart & Steuart Attorneys at Law

Maryland Wills and Probate Attorney Protects Your Estate Preserving your family's wealth for future generations Whether you're planning the parameters of your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, Steuart & Steuart, Attorneys at Law can help with all aspects of trusts and estates issues, including: * Estate Planning * Estate Tax Issues * Choosing the Appropriate Executor * Guardianships * Living Wills * Living Trusts * Wills Drafting Securing your legacy: You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. Attorney C. Todd Steuart thoroughly analyzes your estate and strategizes the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones. Drafting your living will and last will and testament: A will is essential at every stage of your life. Your living will sets the parameters for medical intervention should you become incapacitated. This assures that when you are most vulnerable, your wishes will be honored. Your last will provides the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A will is necessary if you intend to leave property to a person or entity other than a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, a friend or a charity. If you die without a will, the court determines how your property is distributed, who cares for your children and even what happens to your pet making decisions that might not reflect your desires. C. Todd Steuart can draft valid wills that ensure your intentions are honored. Changing your will: As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your will throughout your life. He drafts valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions. The process of probate: Most executors have rarely if ever probated a will and know little about the process. C. Todd Steuart can guide you through all aspects of probate, including: * Filing the will with the Maryland probate court * Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate * Finding and collecting assets * Closing and opening bank accounts * Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate * Paying estate taxes * Valuing, managing, preserving and liquidating the estate * Locating beneficiaries * Hiring experts, when appropriate Probate disputes: Even in apparently straightforward estate cases, there are sometimes disputes between beneficiaries. C. Todd Steuart's professional courtroom presence can calm the emotionally charged process of probating a challenged will or disputed executor or judicial decision.