Maryland Estate Planning Attorney for Wills, Trusts & Estates
Wills & Estates Guidance from a Maryland Estate Planning Attorney
The Law Office of David V. Diggs, LLC helps Maryland families put clear plans in place and administer estates with care when a loved one passes. From our Millersville office, we serve clients throughout Maryland, including Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Pasadena, and Baltimore. If you are searching for a wills and estates lawyer in Maryland, our team delivers practical, personable counsel tailored to your goals.
Estate Planning Rooted in Local Experience
A thoughtful plan can reduce family stress, protect assets, and ensure your wishes are carried out. As an
estate planning attorney Maryland residents trust, we draft wills, set up basic trusts, and prepare powers of attorney and advance medical directives-all explained in plain language. For second marriages, blended families, and households with union or public-service pensions, we align
beneficiary designations and survivorship choices with your estate plan.
Estate Planning Services
Documents That Put Your Wishes in Writing
A comprehensive plan typically includes:
- Will - Directs who receives your property and who cares for minor children.
- Trusts -
Revocable living trusts and basic trusts to manage assets during life and streamline transfers after death.
- Powers of Attorney - Appoints someone to handle finances if you become unable to do so.
- Advance Medical Directive - States health-care preferences and names a medical decision-maker.
We tailor each document to your family, assets, and priorities-and we coordinate titles and beneficiaries to match the plan.
Wills and Trusts
How Wills and Trusts Work in Maryland
A will controls assets that pass through probate and lets you nominate guardians for children. A living trust can hold property during your lifetime and transfer it privately without probate when properly funded. We'll help you decide what fits your situation, from a straightforward will to a basic trust for smoother administration, and we'll explain how to title real estate or accounts to support your goals.
Estate Administration (Probate)
Guidance for Executors and Families During Probate
When a loved one dies, the paperwork and deadlines can feel overwhelming. We guide personal representatives through
Maryland probate-filing the will, opening the estate, inventorying assets, addressing creditor claims and taxes, and distributing property. For
intestate estates (no will), we explain the state's order of inheritance and help the family move forward efficiently.
Why Clients Choose Us
Personal Counsel with Attention to Detail
Our firm pairs deep Maryland experience with practical solutions. You'll get direct access to your attorney, clear timelines, and documents written for real people-not just lawyers. The Law Office of David V. Diggs, LLC regularly coordinates with financial advisors and retirement administrators (including civil service plans) so your paperwork, beneficiaries, and tax considerations align.
Planning That Fits Your Life
Estate Planning for Blended Families and Big Transitions
Remarriage, new children, a home purchase, or a career change can all impact your plan. We review older documents, update executors, and revise distributions to reflect present-day realities. If you're newly married or considering marriage, we can coordinate your plan with a
premarital agreement to clarify rights and reduce future conflict.
Straight Answers to Common Questions
What Maryland Families Ask About Wills & Estates
What Maryland Families Ask About Wills & Estates What happens if I die without a will in Maryland?
State intestacy laws determine who inherits (spouse, children, and other relatives). The results may not match your wishes-which is why having a will matters.
How often should I update my will?
After major life changes-marriage, divorce, a new child, or significant asset shifts-or simply every few years. We can amend with a codicil or prepare a new will when appropriate.
Do wills have to be notarized or just witnessed?
Maryland requires two witnesses for a will to be valid. A self-proving affidavit can be notarized to streamline probate later.
How long does probate take?
Simple estates often wrap up in six to twelve months; complex estates can take longer. Starting early and staying organized helps keep things moving.
What's the difference between a will and a living trust?
A will takes effect after death and goes through probate. A living trust is effective now, can hold assets during life, and may allow those assets to transfer outside probate if properly funded.
Plan for Tomorrow Today
Begin Your Maryland Wills & Estates Plan
Ready to put your wishes in writing or to settle a loved one’s estate with confidence? Call 410-244-1189 or contact The Law Office of David V. Diggs, LLC. We serve clients throughout Maryland from our Millersville office, including Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, and the greater Baltimore area.