Skilled Wills,Trusts and Estates Attorney in Upper Marlboro

Preserving your family’s wealth for future generations

Whether you’re planning the parameters of your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, the Law Office of Ronald H. Cooper can help with all aspects of Wills, Trusts and Estates issues, including:

• Estate planning
• Estate tax issues
• Choosing the appropriate executor
• Guardianships
• Living wills
• Living trusts
• Wills drafting
• Probate

Securing your legacy

You work hard for your family, so knowing that you have planned for their long-term well-being and financial security can bring you comfort. We thoroughly analyze your estate and strategize the best means of transferring your assets, minimizing taxes, establishing guardianship for your children, caring for your pets, supporting personal philanthropic causes and protecting your loved ones.

Draft your living will and last will and testament

A will is essential at every stage of your life. Your living will sets the parameters for medical intervention should you become incapacitated. This assures that when you are most vulnerable, your wishes will be honored.

Your Last Will provides the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children, provide a Trust or Guardian for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A Will is necessary if you intend to leave property to a person or entity other than a blood relative, such as a domestic partner, a friend or a charity. If you die without a Will, the court determines how your property is distributed, who cares for your children and even what happens to your pet – making decisions that might not reflect your desires. We can draft valid Wills that ensure your intentions are honored.

Changing your will

As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your Will throughout your life. The Law Office of Ronald H. Cooper drafts valid codicils that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic and charity interests and general lifestyle decisions.

Appointment of guardianship

If you have minor children, your will allows you to make decisions about their future care. This is especially crucial if you are a single parent or if both parents die in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the Court will appoint a guardian for your children and can make decisions adverse to your ultimate parenting goals. You can also make arrangements for your pets’ care in your Will, including naming a guardian to take responsibility for your pets.

We help guide you through the process of probate

Probate follows what is typically a painful emotional loss. The Law Office of Ronald H. Cooper has 33 years of experience in probate law and knows how to ease the stress of probate by guiding executors, and personal representatives and beneficiaries. Most executors and personal representatives have rarely, if ever, probated a Will and know little about the process. We can guide you through the complex probate process, including:

• Filing the Will with the Maryland Probate Court
• Developing the best strategy for fairly and expeditiously probating the estate
• Finding and collecting assets
• Closing and opening bank accounts
• Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
• Paying estate taxes
• Valuing, managing, preserving and liquidating the estate
• Locating beneficiaries
• Hiring experts, when appropriate

Contact an estate planning lawyer you can trust.

For estate planning and probate services in Upper Marlboro and throughout Maryland, call the Law Office of Ronald H. Cooper at 301-358-0640 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.