DC Trusts and Estates Lawyer
A DC trusts and estates lawyer provides assistance with all types of estate planning techniques so you can develop a comprehensive plan for your future. A simple estate plan involves a last will and testament and healthcare planning, both of which an attorney can provide assistance with. If you want to do more to shield your estate from taxes, help your heirs avoid probate, and protect your assets from creditors, a DC trusts and estates lawyer can provide you with the assistance you require.
We can provide the legal structure and advice to ensure that your company has the proper formation.
Read MoreOur attorneys have experience representing elderly clients and ensuring their rights are protected.
Read MoreWith years of experience, we can help protect your property and ensure that it falls into the right hands.
Read MoreOur team of attorneys can provide the perfect amount of support in gaining guardianship in DC.
Read MoreOur attorneys will ensure that you know who is acting on you or a loved one's behalf during tragic times.
Read MoreProbate can be challenging to handle alone. Our team of attorneys can help you through the probate process.
Read MoreOur trusts attorneys can secure and protect your assets in the type of trust that best suits you.
Read MoreOur attorneys will sit down and guild you through the process of creating a last will.
Read MoreYour Goal Is Our Priority
When planning for your family’s future you will be working closely with your attorney, possibly for many years. It is important to find an attorney you trust and who has the experience to provide advice and guidance. It is also important to find an attorney who is responsive to your questions and concerns, and who will act with your best interests in mind. Ultimately, the important thing is to look for the best DC trusts and estates attorney for you and your case.
Finding the Best DC
Trusts and Estates Lawyer For You
When individuals are looking for an estate planning lawyer to help them plan for their family’s future, they often ask or look for the best lawyer in DC – but they may not know what kind of attorney to look for. The practice of law is comprised of many specific areas of law, one of which is trusts and estates.
However, even within the practice of trusts and estates, there is no best trusts and estates lawyer in DC. Rather, there are many excellent attorneys with a great depth of knowledge and experience. So, rather than looking for the best DC trusts and estates lawyer, one should look for an experienced attorney with whom one is comfortable.
Why You Need a DC Trusts and Estates Lawyer
A DC trusts and estates lawyer can provide you with assistance:
- Determining what issues affect your estate and what should be included in your comprehensive estate plan to best address your unique needs.
- Learning more about the marital deduction rule.
- Drafting a last will and testament for distribution of your assets.
- Becoming a guardian to someone who is incapacitated or under the age of majority.
- Creating a living will, using a durable power of attorney to appoint an agent, and otherwise taking steps to ensure you have control over future medical care you receive and decisions made on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
- Determining if trusts should be established and what types of trusts are appropriate. Perhaps you need a special needs trust to protect a disabled child without putting his government benefits at risk, or a trust to ensure a spendthrift child does not squander his inheritance. Your attorney will explain all your options.
These are just a few of the different services a trusts and estates lawyer in DC will offer. Everyone needs to plan ahead for the future, no matter how complex or how simple their estate is. You do not want to be responsible for disagreements and problems in your family after you are gone, and you don’t want to have to spend your life savings for nursing home care- so you need an estate plan.
For assistance with trust administration, consult with a DC trust administration lawyer.
Hiring a DC Probate Lawyer
A DC probate attorney helps a personal representative throughout the entire process, starting by assisting with the preparation of the necessary pleadings. An attorney advises the client about his or her duties as a personal representative. In addition, a DC probate lawyer may assist with the marshaling of the assets, valuing of the assets, the preparation of the estate tax return, and making a plan for distribution.
Opening an Estate in DC
To open an estate proceeding in DC, a person petitions the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Probate Division to be appointed as personal representative of the estate. Typically, a person files a petition for probate, listing the name and address of the petitioner, who is often the nominated personal representative or the person seeking to be appointed as a personal representative. The person also includes the original will, if there is one.
Notice may be required to be published for three consecutive weeks in newspapers. The nature and timing of the notice may differ, depending on the proceeding that is initiated.
In an unsupervised proceeding, it is usually unnecessary to have a court hearing. In a standard probate situation, a court hearing may be necessary to appoint a personal representative. It depends on the facts of the case and the nature of the administration that a person seeks.
Getting Help with Estate Administration
If you are the personal representative or want to become the personal representative of a loved one’s estate, please contact us today. A DC probate lawyer can help explain the intricacies of the probate process and can help you navigate the paperwork and obligations associated with being a personal representative. Someone who is interested in helping family members avoid the probate process or simplify the process at should also seek the help of an experienced attorney about writing a last will and testament.
Someone who is a business owner or has a share in business would also benefit from consulting a lawyer if they are interested in protecting their business interests after their death. Without a last will and testament, business succession will be impacted and a person’s wishes for their business may not be met.
Contact a DC Trusts and Estates Attorney Today
You must plan ahead and get your estate planning completed before you become so sick you are no longer of sound mind and body.
Call a trusts and estates lawyer in DC today to learn what your options are for creating an estate plan and to learn what your estate plan should include to protect yourself, your assets, and your heirs.
“Kerri Castellini is a consummate professional. She and her team delivered and exceeded my expected results without over-selling me on products and services I didn’t want or need. She skillfully provided detailed explanations and options throughout the process of creating a revocable trust, will, power of attorney and advance directive. She was patient and understanding with my myriad questions and helped me navigate what I felt was a daunting task toward a clear solution. I now have peace of mind in knowing my estate is in great hands with this firm.”
“Ms. Castellini recently assisted my wife and me in the preparation of our wills and estate plans. Ms. Castellini was helpful and courteous during the entire process. She patiently explained the law and explained the pros and cons of the various options open to us. She was patient as we reviewed our plans and took the time to thoroughly explain our options at each stage of the process.”
“Kerri is an expert in Estate Planning and I recommend her whenever anyone has a question about this area of law. Kerri is extremely knowledgeable, competent, dedicated, personable and thorough.”
