Blogs

You might have heard the term “community spouse” and wondered what it means. Essentially, if one spouse receives long-term care in a nursing home, the spouse living outside the nursing home is considered the community spouse. Here, our legal team explains why community spouses are important. Continue reading to learn more or contact one of our experienced Prince William County… Read More

Individuals who have disabilities often require government assistance to cover the costs of professional support and care. However, programs such as Medicaid and Supplementary Security Income (SSI) are means-tested, so eligibility is determined based on an individual’s or family’s income and assets. People who have disabilities must carefully manage their finances in a way that allows them to qualify for… Read More

Outlining your final wishes is essential to ensure that your assets are passed to their intended recipients as smoothly as possible after you die. If you have done the diligent work of putting your estate plan into place, you may believe that you have completed all the necessary steps. However, while you may believe your plan is straightforward, it might… Read More

As your parent grows older, you may wonder what would happen if they could no longer make sound decisions on their own. Often, gaining power of attorney for your parent is the most straightforward way to ensure their best interests are protected. Many older adults grant powers of attorney to adult children to ensure they are adequately cared for and… Read More

Federal estate tax law includes a provision called portability. This provision only applies to married couples. It allows the surviving spouse to use any part of their deceased spouse’s unused estate and gift tax exemption. Including portability in an estate plan protects the surviving spouse from significant estate tax bills if the deceased spouse’s estate didn’t exceed exemption thresholds. With… Read More

Your named beneficiaries will likely have to go through probate to receive your real property after your death if it is only in your name and not held in trust. Although transferring property into trust can ensure your family does not have to wait for your will to be validated before distributing your assets, it might not make sense for… Read More

Some seniors don’t expect to remarry after a divorce or the death of a spouse. However, life is full of surprises. You could meet someone at any age, even during your retirement years. Many older adults bring various assets and debts into a new relationship. They might also have children from a previous marriage, one or multiple businesses, and collections… Read More

When creating a trust with a Prince William County trust lawyer, it is important to understand the specific roles involved. The grantor or settlor is the person who establishes a trust. The designated beneficiary is the person who receives the assets held in trust when the grantor dies. Probate is unnecessary because trust property passes outside the last will and… Read More

For many decades, wealthy families relied on bypass trusts as critical aspects of their estate plans. However, in recent years, Prince William County trust attorneys have seen a shift away from the use of this type of trust. This is mainly due to the increase in gift and estate tax exemptions, as well as what is known as the “portability”… Read More

There are many reasons why some people might find the idea of a handwritten will attractive. Also known as holographic wills, handwritten wills might seem cheaper and simpler to execute than non-holographic wills. However, handwritten wills are not legally valid in every state. Furthermore, in the states that do recognize handwritten wills, there are a number of guidelines to which… Read More