Estate Planning, Probate & Trusts Article Archives
5 Common Medicaid Long-Term Care Myths—and What Maryland Families Need to Know
Don’t let myths about Medicaid Long-Term Care cost you time, money, or peace of mind
February, 2026 | By Rachel Seawell Vogel
When families begin planning for long-term care, misinformation can be just as stressful as the medical decisions themselves. In Maryland, myths about Medicaid Long-Term Care (MALTC) often lead people to delay planning, make costly mistakes, or assume they have no good options. Below are some of the most common misconceptions about MALTC—and the realities that…
Preparing for a Sunset of the Federal Estate Tax Exemption
This article was authored by Semmes law clerk Gabrielle Rachuba.
October, 2024 | By Carl E. Eastwick
The Federal Estate Tax is a tax on the transfer of property at death. The Federal Estate Tax Exemption sets the maximum value of assets an individual can leave to their heirs upon death without incurring Federal Estate Taxes. In other words, estates valued below the exemption threshold are not subject to Federal Estate Tax.…
The Legal Benefits of Marriage
Estate Planning for Maryland’s Same-Sex Couples
February, 2024
The right to marry now extends to more Marylanders than ever before. Under the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which took effect January 1, 2013, same-sex couples can obtain marriage licenses knowing that their unions will be recognized by the state. Federal recognition came some six months later with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Windsor. These are exciting developments for the LGBT community, and couples who choose to marry will now enjoy many important benefits. Among these are the right to file joint tax returns, to receive Social Security and other government benefits, and to obtain health insurance from a spouse’s employer.
The Eternal Question – Revocable “Living” Trust or Will?
December, 2023 | By Carl E. Eastwick
Revocable living trusts have been marketed so successfully that many people think they can’t live—or die—without one. The promises of avoiding probate, ensuring privacy, reducing estate taxes, and preparing for incapacity seem too enticing to pass up. Suze Orman, the popular financial guru, goes so far as to say that “everyone” needs a revocable living trust. But what everyone really needs is some good advice.