Too busy? Can't afford an attorney? These are the excuses most used for not preparing one of the most important documents in your life. It's really not as time-consuming or costly as you think considering the money you can save for your family after death.

Wills (simple and complex), powers of attorney, living trusts, living wills, irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships  and charitable giving are among the considerations when dealing with estates and comprise the necessary tools to alleviate some of the legal and financial burdens as well as securing the future of family members and/or loved ones upon your death.

Estate: The total of a person's property (including money), entitlements and obligations (liabilities) at the time of death.

Will (Testament): A written expression of the desire of a person as to the disposition of that person's property after death. In order for a will to be valid in Maryland, certain procedures must be followed. A good estate plan should provide for your needs and your family's needs.

Probate: The court-supervised process by which a will is determined to be the will-maker's final statement regarding how the will-maker wants his or her property distributed. It also confirms the appointment of the personal representative of the estate. Probate also means the process by which assets are gathered; applied to pay debts, taxes, and expenses of administration; and distributed to those designated as beneficiaries in the will.

Power of Attorney: A document that authorizes an individual to act on behalf of someone else.

Living Trust: A trust created during the grantor's lifetime into which property is placed with instructions for its management and distribution upon disability or death.

Living Will: A legal document that voices your medical decisions if you are unable to speak for yourself as a result of medical incapacitation and/or a written request that life not be prolonged by artificial means when death becomes inevitable.

Irrevocable Trust: A trust that cannot be changed or terminated by the one who created it without the agreement of the beneficiary and in which the creator does not reserve the right to reacquire the trust property.

Family Limited Partnership (FLP): A partnership consisting of family members that allows for the full enjoyment of assets and property while divesting themselves of full legal ownership.

Charitable Giving: After first providing for your loved ones, consider a charitable gift to your favorite charitable institutions.

The legal counsel of Jan O'Connor can help you organize, categorize and draft a disbursement plan for your assets that can lesson estate taxes and court control of your survivors.

Reasonable rates