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Wills are not just for the super wealthy or for individuals with massive assets and property. Any individual can benefit from drafting a will. If you have questions about how to get started with your estate plan and will, talk to a Howard County wills lawyer.
The legal team at Liberty Legacy Law Group can help you draft a legally sound will. Our Howard County estate planning attorneys have comprehensive knowledge of Maryland estate planning laws. We value building relationships with our clients so we can clearly understand your goals and design a plan tailored to you.
Dying without a will leaves your family with unanswered questions about what your wishes were and adds extra hardship to their grieving. A wills attorney can take the mystery out of writing a will and other estate planning elements.
The Liberty Legacy Law Group takes pride in helping families in Howard County with their estate planning needs. Co-founder, Kaitlyn Tauber, has been recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for the past three years. A wills attorney can ensure that your wishes are reflected in your will and that it is legally sound. The will can designate beneficiaries, name an executor, and establish trusts, if needed. An attorney will explain ways to minimize taxes and administration costs for your heirs.
A Howard County wills attorney is also knowledgeable about updating and revising wills. Individuals often want to change their will after significant life events, such as a marriage, the birth of a child, or a divorce. Will disputes can arise when the will is questioned because the legal requirements are not met or when the will is ambiguous.
For a will to be valid in Maryland, it must be signed by the testator. A valid will also requires an attestation and signature from two credible witnesses. The state of Maryland provides a template for Proof of Execution of Will that may be used.
If you die without a will in Maryland, intestacy laws apply. This means that the state will determine how your estate is distributed. In some cases, if you have not named a guardian for your minor children, the Court will decide who to appoint as guardian.
Maryland’s intestate laws determine how the estate is distributed. If the deceased has a surviving spouse and children, the spouse will receive half of the estate, and the other half will be divided among the children. If there are no children and only a surviving spouse, the spouse receives the entire estate. If there are surviving children, only they receive the entire estate. When there are no surviving immediate relatives, the estate is divided among more distant relatives(parents, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, etc.).
At Liberty Legacy Law Group, we’re not just planning for the future we’re honoring the lives, stories, and values that matter most.
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Many individuals choose to file their original will for safekeeping with the Register of Wills’ office in the county where they reside. In Howard County, the Register of Wills’ office is located at 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1100, in Ellicott City, Maryland.
An original will needs to be placed in a sealed envelope with your full name, address, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number clearly legible on the front of the envelope. To file your will, you need to pay a $5.00 fee. The Register of Wills will keep your will during your lifetime, and it can be released only to you or to an individual designated by you in writing.
Wills can be changed and revised. To make an alteration, a codicil must be added to the will. A codicil must follow the same formalities as a will.
The biggest mistake people make with wills is not having one. 2025 estimates suggest that only 24% of people aged 18 and older have a will. The most common reasons cited for not creating a will include procrastination and the belief that they did not have enough assets to leave to someone. Estate planning can spare family members financial and emotional suffering during an already challenging time.
The cost of having a lawyer write your will can depend on various factors. Some lawyers will charge a flat fee, while others may charge an hourly rate. A lawyer can help you create a comprehensive, legally enforceable estate plan. You can feel certain your wishes will be followed and mistakes will be avoided.
A will functions as a legal document that outlines your wishes for your assets and dependent children in the event of your death. If you have a will, then upon your death, the instructions it contains are followed. If you do not have a will, your assets will be distributed pursuant to default statutes. The probate process in Howard County takes place at the Circuit Courthouse, 9250 Judicial Way, Suite 1100, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043.
A will defines a plan for the distribution of your assets after you die, and a living trust holds your assets while you are still alive. After you die, a will becomes public. A living trust remains private. Property distributed through a will must go through the probate process, whereas a living trust does not require probate. Will laws state you must use a will to name a guardian for your minor children. Reach out to a Howard County trusts lawyer or wills attorney to learn more.
If you are ready to ensure that your final wishes are clearly in place, the Liberty Legacy Law Group can help. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive estate planning. Contact our office to schedule a consultation to begin planning.
At Liberty Legacy Law Group, we’re not just planning for the future—we’re
honoring the lives, stories, and values that matter most.