Why Should I Consider a Trust Instead of a Will?

Two of the most common estate planning tools are trusts and wills. While both serve as a secure way to provide for the management and distribution of your assets after your death, they are set up differently and operate in different ways. To understand why so many...

Clearing Up Common Misconceptions About Maryland Probate

At Chesapeake Wills and Trusts, we understand the confusion and misconceptions surrounding the probate process in Maryland. Many clients come to us with preconceived notions about probate that are often rooted in rumor. That’s understandable, because probate can be a...

What Steps Should I Take to Avoid Probate in Maryland?

Probate requirements date back to ancient property laws, designed to ensure that when someone passes away, their debts get paid properly and the right people receive the assets in the deceased person’s estate. However, fulfilling all those requirements takes many...

What Is a Trust?

Trusts are extremely useful tools that can be used to accomplish many different goals in estate planning. But they are artificial legal creations, and unless you work with them on a regular basis, they can be confusing.  At Chesapeake Wills and Trusts, we believe...

What Happens if I Die Without a Will in Maryland?

When you pass away without a will in Maryland, you are said to have died “intestate.” Dying intestate means the state of Maryland determines how your assets are distributed based on its intestacy laws. It’s a one-size-fits-all approach, and...