PERSONALIZED ESTATE PLANNING IN MARYLAND
Why Estate Planning Matters
Make Important Decisions for Yourself, Your Family and Your Future
Estate planning gives you the opportunity to decide what should happen if you cannot manage financial or healthcare decisions yourself, how you want your property handled, and who you want to protect and provide for.
A good estate plan is not about collecting legal documents. It is about making thoughtful decisions now so the people you trust have clear direction when they need it.
Attorney Dawn Trainor-Fogleman has practiced law for more than 30 years and concentrated on estate planning for more than 20 years. She helps clients understand their options in plain English and create plans based on their families, property, concerns and goals.
Dawn is a mobile estate planning attorney. She meets with clients in their homes throughout Maryland, with appointments also available in Washington, D.C. Instead of requiring you to come to a traditional law office, Dawn brings the estate planning process to you.
You do not need to know which estate planning documents you need before you call.
30+ Years Practicing Law
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20+ Years Focused on Estate Planning
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Mobile & In-Home Appointments
30+ Years Practicing Law • 20+ Years Focused on Estate Planning • Mobile & In-Home Appointments
MORE THAN PLANNING FOR WHAT HAPPENS AFTER DEATH
An Estate Plan Can Protect Your Choices While You Are Living
Many people first think about estate planning because they want a Will. But some of the most important questions an estate plan addresses can arise during your lifetime.
If you became unable to manage your affairs, who would you trust to handle financial matters for you? Who should be able to make healthcare decisions? Would that person know what you wanted?
Planning ahead allows you to make those choices for yourself.
Who can handle financial and legal matters if I cannot?
Who do I trust to make healthcare decisions for me?
How can I communicate my wishes concerning medical care?
Who should receive my property?
Who should be responsible for carrying out my wishes?
Who would I want to care for my minor children?
A Will, Trust, Durable Financial Power of Attorney and Advance Medical Directive serve different purposes. Which documents belong in your plan depends on the decisions you need to make.
WHEN LIFE CHANGES, YOUR PLAN MAY NEED TO CHANGE TOO
Estate Planning Is Relevant at More Stages of Life Than You May Think
You do not have to wait until retirement or until you have accumulated significant wealth to think about estate planning.
Changes in your family, property, finances or responsibilities can make it especially important to create a plan or take another look at documents you already have.
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Parents may need to decide who they would want to care for minor children and how property left for those children should be managed.
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Changes in property, accounts or other assets can affect how you want your estate handled and whether an older plan still reflects your circumstances.
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Changes in family relationships can affect beneficiaries, decision-makers and other choices made in an estate plan.
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This is often a time when families begin thinking not only about inheritance, but also about who could handle financial and healthcare decisions if help is needed in the future.
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A Will, Trust, Power of Attorney or Advance Medical Directive prepared years ago may no longer reflect the people you trust, the property you own or the decisions you would make today.
Estate planning does not have to begin with a crisis. Creating or reviewing your plan while you have time to consider your choices gives you an opportunity to decide what you want before those decisions become urgent.
DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS FOR DIFFERENT DECISIONS
A Will Is Important, But It May Not Be Your Entire Estate Plan
Each estate planning document has a different purpose. Understanding those differences makes it easier to see how the pieces of your plan fit together.
Wills
A Will can address how certain property should be handled after your death, who should administer your estate, and who you would want to care for minor children.
Trusts
A Trust can provide additional ways to hold, manage or distribute property. A Trust is not automatically right for every family, so the decision should begin with what you are trying to accomplish.
Durable Financial Powers of Attorney
A Durable Financial Power of Attorney allows you to choose someone to handle financial and legal matters on your behalf under the authority provided in the document.
Advance Medical Directives
An Advance Medical Directive addresses healthcare decision-making and can help communicate your wishes if you are unable to make or communicate medical decisions yourself.
Depending on your circumstances, your estate plan may include other documents as well, such as a Healthcare Power of Attorney, Living Will, HIPAA authorization or waiver, or nomination of a guardian for minor children.
