Trusts: A Foundation for Asset Protection and Distribution

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A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts can be established during your lifetime (living trusts) or through your will (testamentary trusts). These arrangements offer a variety of benefits, making them an essential part of effective estate planning.

Key Benefits of Trusts:

  1. Avoid Probate: Trusts allow your assets to bypass the probate process, ensuring faster and more private distribution to your beneficiaries.
  2. Asset Protection: With irrevocable trusts, your assets are protected from creditors and legal claims, helping ensure that your estate remains intact.
  3. Control Over Distribution: You can specify exactly how and when your assets are distributed, ensuring they are managed according to your wishes.
  4. Tax Efficiency: Certain trusts offer tax-saving benefits, helping reduce the estate tax burden on your beneficiaries.
  5. Long-Term Support: Trusts provide ongoing financial support to your beneficiaries, even after your passing, ensuring their needs are met for years to come.

Why Choose Johannesmeyer & Sawyer for Your Trust?

At Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, we understand that each person’s estate planning needs are unique. Whether you’re setting up a trust for asset protection, tax efficiency, or to ensure your legacy is protected, our experienced attorneys are here to help. We will work closely with you to create a customized trust that aligns with your goals and provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—start planning today! Contact us to learn more about how we can help secure your future and protect your assets.



Filing a Probate Petition in Maryland? We Can Help!

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When someone passes away, one of the first legal steps is to file a petition to probate the estate. In Maryland, this process involves officially recognizing the decedent’s will (if one exists) and appointing a personal representative to handle the estate’s administration. While there is no time limit to open an estate in Maryland, once you start the process, the clock begins ticking, and certain deadlines and requirements must be met.

At Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, we understand how overwhelming it can be to handle the probate process, especially during a time of loss. We are here to guide you every step of the way and help ensure that the process runs smoothly.

Determining Your Estate Type

The first thing you will need to do is determine if the estate is a small estate or a regular estate. This classification impacts the forms you’ll need to file, as well as the timelines involved.

  • Small estate: If the total assets subject to administration are valued at $50,000 or under, this qualifies as a small estate, which follows a more streamlined process. If the surviving spouse is the sole heir, the threshold increases to $100,000.
  • Regular estate: If the assets exceed $50,000 (or $100,000 if the spouse is the sole heir), it is considered a regular estate, which will require more formal probate proceedings.

Understanding which category your estate falls into is essential for navigating the appropriate paperwork and timelines.

Appointment of Personal Representative

As part of petitioning for probate, one of the first steps is to appoint a personal representative to manage the estate. If the decedent left a will, they may have named a personal representative. If there is no will, or the nominated representative is unwilling to serve, the court will appoint one.

Once the personal representative is approved, the court will issue Letters of Administration, which grants them the legal authority to manage the estate, pay any debts, and distribute assets to the beneficiaries.

Need Help with the Probate Process?

At Johannesmeyer & Sawyer, we specialize in guiding families through the probate process in Maryland. Whether you are dealing with a small estate or a more complex regular estate, we can assist you in filing the necessary petitions, ensuring that the probate process is handled properly, and answering any questions you may have along the way.

Navigating probate can be tricky, but with our expertise, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved one’s estate is in good hands.

Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you with petitioning for probate and the entire estate administration process.