
THIENEL LAW BLOG
What is the Procedure for Making Advance Directives in Maryland?
You will want to get legal advice from a Maryland estate planning lawyer before making an advance directive. If you merely use a printed form, you might not receive all of the options that are available by law. Your lawyer can explain what the procedure is for making advance directives in Maryland.
12 Headaches Your Loved Ones May Face with Improper Estate Planning
When people think about what they want to leave behind to their family and friends, they might not know how a well-intentioned gift could cause problems. Just as troublesome to your survivors is a situation in which you die without valid estate planning documents. Let's discuss the 12 headaches your loved ones may face with improper estate planning. A Maryland estate planning attorney could help prepare your documents so you avoid these common estate planning mistakes.
Disadvantages of a Revocable Living Trust in Maryland
Probate is the legal process of transferring assets to heirs and beneficiaries after a person’s death. Many people view a revocable living trust as a way to avoid probate. However, there are several pros and cons of creating a revocable living trust. Therefore, before deciding to create a revocable living trust, it is wise to discuss your estate planning goals and needs with a Maryland trust attorney.
12 End-of-Life Documents You Need Now
Thinking about the end of your life is never pleasant. However, estate planning is the best way to take care of the ones you love after you are no longer with them. Our Maryland estate planning attorney helps you develop a plan that protects your assets during your lifetime and ensures your wishes are carried out after your death.
Should My Aging Parents Add Me to Their Bank Accounts?
There comes a time when elderly parents may need assistance with their finances. They may need assistance paying bills, making financial decisions, and managing assets. Many families assume it is sufficient to add children to their parents' bank accounts. However, there could be other matters to consider. Before transferring assets or creating joint accounts, it is best to talk with a Maryland estate planning attorney.
Should I Give Gifts During My Life or Leave Them in My Will?
There comes a time when elderly parents may need assistance with their finances. They may need assistance paying bills, making financial decisions, and managing assets. Many families assume it is sufficient to add children to their parents' bank accounts. However, there could be other matters to consider. Before transferring assets or creating joint accounts, it is best to talk with a Maryland estate planning attorney.
Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples
Most single adults do not think too much about life decisions related to estate planning. They may believe that estate planning is something they will do once they are married. However, estate planning is essential for singles and unmarried partners. Without an estate plan, your partner may be locked out of important decisions about your health care and your estate.
What is Medicare Planning?
Medicare is a federal health care plan for seniors. Individuals become eligible to enroll in Medicare when they reach 65 years of age. Medicare is also available for individuals who can no longer work because of a disability. Unlike Medicaid, Medicare is not a needs-based health care plan. However, that does not mean you should not include Medicare planning when discussing your estate planning goals with our Maryland estate planning attorney.
How to Use a Standalone Retirement Trust (SRT) to Protect Your Assets From Creditors
Protecting assets from creditors is a priority during your life and after your death. Using trusts is one of the most common ways to accomplish both of these goals. A Standalone Retirement Trust might be a good option for your estate planning needs. Our Maryland estate planning attorney can help you choose the trust that offers the highest level of asset protection.
How Do I Do My Quarterly Business Taxes for My Maryland LLC?
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a popular business structure for many small businesses throughout Maryland. LLCs offer many of the benefits of a sole proprietorship or partnership with the liability protection of a corporation.
What Happens if My Spouse and I Die at the Same Time?
Most spouses leave everything to their surviving spouse in their Will. Therefore, when spouses die simultaneously and there is no surviving spouse, there becomes an issue of who inherits the combined estates.
Maryland Business Express - A Great Resource for New Entrepreneurs
The Maryland Business Express is a valuable free resource that our state provides to help entrepreneurs plan, start, and manage their businesses. You can find useful information whether you want to start or grow a home-based business, buy an existing business or franchise, or open a branch office in Maryland for your out-of-state business.
5 Clauses Every Business Partnership Contract Needs
When you form a partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or any other business arrangement, your contract will have several key statements that directly outline the responsibilities and limitations of every member in the group.
In a way, your partnership contract will be the constitution for your company. It’s imperative that your contract includes five important clauses to protect yourself and ensure your future entity runs smoothly as you hire a Maryland contracts attorney and draw up the documents for your partnership.
Maryland Business Tax FAQs
Frequently asked questions about business taxes in Maryland could easily fill many pages, but we will try to cover some of the most common topics here. Business owners often ask about shipping and handling charges, tax exemptions, and resale certificates, by way of example.
A Maryland business tax attorney can answer your specific questions and help you stay in compliance with our state and federal tax regulations. Here are a few Maryland business tax FAQs.
Life Insurance Types and Their Place in Estate Planning
You can use life insurance to fund your estate planning goals for your family, your business, and your charitable giving. Different kinds of life insurance coverage can provide options that can protect what is important to you.
What Are the Exemptions of Limited Liability in Maryland Business Law?
Members of a limited liability company in Maryland enjoy certain financial protections, the most important of which is that people cannot sue them and take their personal assets, such as their home or bank accounts, to satisfy judgments against the limited liability corporation. As with many legal concepts, however, there are exceptions to this general rule.
Terms and Conditions for Small Business Contracts
Small businesses need to invest time in developing contracts they use for their business. Contracts protect the business in case of disputes and lawsuits. A Maryland contracts attorney assists small business owners in negotiating contracts, drafting terms and conditions, and representing the company when there is a dispute or breach of contract.
Maryland Trust Attorney Discusses the Differences Between a Living Trust and a Will
We have all heard that it is important to have a will or trust, but many people do not clearly understand the differences between the two documents. In this article, a Maryland trust attorney discusses the differences between a living trust and a will.
Understanding Employee Retention Credits Under the Cares Act
The purpose of the Employee Retention Credit of the CARES Act is to give employers financial incentives to keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help you understand Employee Retention Credits under the CARES Act, we will first discuss the CARES Act's initial legislation and then explain how later legislation modified and extended employee retention credits.
How Can the IRS Fresh Start Program Help Me?
If you’re delinquent on your taxes, there is little you can do to escape paying what you owe. While it might be tempting to run from your tax problems, the IRS will eventually find you.
Fortunately, the IRS has created a Fresh Start Initiative offering relief to individual taxpayers and small businesses. However, as with most government programs, the rules about how to qualify for tax relief can be confusing.