Stanley S. Pickett, lawyers in Greenbelt, MD, Maryland

Will Contests -- Lack of Testamentary Capacity, Improper Execution, Bogus Will

You cannot contest a will simply because you don't like the provisions, or because you received less than you felt you should have received, or because the provisions were, in your opinion, unfair. You must have legal grounds, which, if supported by the evidence, would cause the will to be rejected by the Probate Court. More...

Will Formalities

The body of a will is where is where the testator directs the disposition of his or her estate. This article discusses the clauses before the body of the will and the clauses and signature lines after the body of the will, that are necessary to comply with the customs and requirements--the formalities--for the making of a will.More...

Living Wills -- Formation

Doctors have a general duty to preserve life through whatever means are available. The only way for patients to override a doctor's general duty is to leave written instructions for their preferred medical care in case they become incapable of expressing those wishes. If you are worried about the types of medical treatment you may receive at the end of your life, you should compose a living will. A living will, also referred to as a healthcare directive, is not a part of the will that a person uses to pass property at death. It is a separate document that lets your loved ones know what type of care you do or do not want to receive should you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious/in a vegetative state. More...

State Death Taxes

Almost every estate incurs some state death tax. In some cases the state death tax equals or exceeds the federal death tax. The amount of these taxes should be "guesstimated" by the estate's attorney or accountant so that you can begin to assemble enough cash to meet the demands. If you must sell estate assets to raise cash, your goal must be to obtain the highest price and best terms possible. The sooner you begin the process of analyzing liquidity needs, the less likely it is that this forced sale will turn into a fire sale.More...

Special Conditions in a Will

As a general rule, a devise, a bequest, a legacy, or a trust in a will may benefit any person or legal entity. One major limitation is that is that a devise, a bequest, a legacy, or a trust in a will may not benefit a person or legal entity, if it does not meet a condition imposed by the testator. Most conditions are routine, such as rewarding a child with more money if he or she attends college. Some conditions are more unusual, and so, special.More...