Practice Areas

Estate Planning

Estate Planning Attorneys

The Estate Planning lawyers at the Elder & Disability Law Center provide comprehensive estate planning advice and legal services to individuals and families in the Washington, D.C., area, Maryland, and Virginia. Please contact us for a consultation regarding your estate planning options.

Early Preparation Is the Key

Our Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., Estate Planning attorneys  encourage clients to begin estate planning as early as possible. The early preparation of an estate plan can minimize or eliminate estate taxes and save on court costs and attorney’s fees associated with guardianships and conservatorships and probate. Assets can be preserved and protected for you and your family in the event of disability or death.

Avoid Additional Family Stress

Many families consult with a lawyer only in a time of crisis, such as when a parent has a stroke or is in an accident. The family often expresses confusion and frustration at the situation because they are now forced to deal with their loved one’s medical and financial needs. A comprehensive estate and Asset Protection Plan prepared in advance can avoid that confusion and frustration for you and your family members. Our attorneys develop and implement custom-tailored plans for families with all levels of wealth which allows your family to simply put the plan into action and focus their attention on the medical needs of their loved one. Further, our attorneys and staff are prepared to make house calls for those who are too ill to make it to the office.

International Estate Planning Considerations

The Washington, DC metropolitan area is home to a large international community, both U.S. citizens and non-citizens. The attorneys at EDLC plan for U.S. citizens, non-U.S. citizens, and multinational families with property and rights in more than one country. Each client receives a customized plan addressing such issues as international income and estate tax, jurisdiction selection, and protection of assets. Also, we provide a knowledge and expertise to the international estate tax issues and beneficiary rights that may arise.

Types of Documents You May Need

The following is a sample of documents we prepare for our estate planning clients:

• Advance Medical Directive. Through the advance medical directive, you make known your choices about treatments and you name someone as your health care agent, authorized to make health care decisions for you when you cannot make them for yourself. Your advance medical directive also includes a “living will” specifying what types of life-prolonging procedures you wish if you suffer from a terminal condition. Your living will may be registered with the U.S. Living Will Registry as well as with your attorney.
• Durable Power of Attorney. A durable power of attorney designates a person of your choosing to be allowed to manage your financial affairs should you become incapacitated.
• Will. An Estate Planning attorney is the best source of personalized, legal, and up-to-date information concerning how to craft even a simple will that accurately reflects your wishes regarding asset protection and final distribution of your estate upon your death.
• Revocable Trust
• Credit Shelter Trust
• Marital Trust
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust
• Qualified Domestic Trust
• Supplemental Needs Trust
• Family Limited Partnership

Contact an Experienced Elder Law and Estate Planning Lawyer

To learn more about the complex areas of estate planning, the financing of long-term care, probate, how to set up trusts, Medicaid eligibility, and tax laws as they pertain to you and your family, schedule a consultation with an experienced Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney. Contact the Elder & Disability Law Center in Washington, D.C.