Effective Probate and Trust Administration Representation
Dedicated Attorneys in Annapolis, Maryland
Probate is a complex process by which the estate of a deceased person is administered and distributed to his or her heirs. Trusts require administration as well, presenting trustees and beneficiaries with numerous duties. At the Law Offices of Merrill, Cruttenden & Collinson, P.A., we understand the intricacies involved with making a person's final wishes come to fruition. If you are struggling with these issues, we are here for you.
Flexible, Cost-Effective Probate Proceedings
At the Law Offices of Merrill, Cruttenden & Collinson, we provide clients with experienced, cost-effective representation in probate proceedings. We represent clients before the Registers of Wills and Orphans’ Courts throughout the State of Maryland. We are fortunate to have paralegals on our staff who are specially trained to deal with probate matters. This gives our clients three important advantages:
- The experience and special training of our staff
- Extra attention at cost efficient hourly rates of paralegals, not lawyers
Also, unlike many firms, we do not solely bill based on a percentage of the estate. We bill on the amount of responsibility we take on, the complexity of the matters at hand and the amount of work we do. Many of our clients stay involved and assist in the administration as directed by us which helps keep the legal fees lower. Other clients feel more comfortable using our services to the fullest extent possible because of the complexities of the administration.
Trust Administration
Trusts are an effective way of avoiding probate, but trust administration has its own complications that must be dealt with. If the trustor (the creator of the trust) is still living when the trust is administered, the process is relatively simple. But if the trustor is not living, the designated trustee has important duties to perform, including:
- Notifying beneficiaries
- Proper accounting of the trust
- Distribution to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Trust
- Tax preparation (estate, gift and fiduciary)
If you are dealing with trust administration, our knowledgeable attorneys can help you through all stages of the process to fulfill these important obligations. We understand how important these matters are to our clients and give each and every case the time and attention it deserves.
If you are facing probate or trust administration issues, we can answer your questions and help you seek favorable results. Please contact us online or by phone at 410.881.0355 to speak with an experienced Maryland lawyer. We offer our estate planning and business law clients free initial consultations.
