Washington, D.C. and Maryland Probate and Estate Planning Attorney
Helping You Protect Your Children and Assets for the Future
It's easy to think that you can wait until some point in the future to plan your estate, but some documents are important for every adult to have. At Christopher D. Brown & Associates we work with you to ensure your assets and children will be protected if something should happen to you.
Our Practice
Our goal is to help you and your loved ones prepare for the future by creating a comprehensive estate plan. If you are unable to meet with us in either our Washington, D.C. or Maryland office, we can schedule a time to visit with you in your home. Contact us to start preparing for you future by planning today.
Estate Planning
Estate planning is important regardless of your age and income. As a starting point, you should have a Last Will and Testament to guide how your assets should be distributed and who should be appointed guardian of your children, should the need arise. We suggest that every adult should consider having these five documents:
- Last Will and Testament
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Advanced Medical Directive
- Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions
- Revocable Trust
Planning your estate now will help your loved ones avoid problems and save time and expense during probate administration later. Contact us for a free initial consultation if you have not created an estate plan and would like to understand how it can help protect your family and your estate.
Probate
When people pass away, their estates go through probate proceedings in order to collect their assets, pay their final debts and to ensure the remaining estate property can be given to their intended beneficiaries. If the deceased has a Last Will and Testament, his or her assets will be distributed to the individuals named in the Will.
Sometimes a person does not have a Last Will and Testament or individuals file complaints against the Will. Creditors are also invited to collect debts that the deceased owed. All of these things can cause probate to become a lengthy and expensive process.
Guardianships and Conservatorships
If your loved one is unable to make decisions, we will represent you to request a guardianship or conservatorship. In these proceedings, the court appoints an individual to take care of the person and their estate. We can also help you file the appropriate paperwork and comply with the court rules and deadlines.
Our firm will represent you and work to find quick, cost-effective solutions. An attorney in our firm can work with you to ensure that your loved one's estate is distributed according to their wishes.
When you need an estate planning or probate lawyer, we can help. Call 202-508-3395 or e-mail us for a free initial consultation.
Christopher D. Brown & Associates
