Wills and Trusts Attorney in Washington, D.C. 

Browne Family Law is the premier estate planning firm in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. For years, we have assisted families throughout our service area with all of their estate planning needs including Wills and Trusts, Probate (both in D.C. and VA), and Living Wills. In addition, we assist clients with Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Property Management. 

Wills 

In the District of Columbia, you can use a Will to control what happens after your death. The Will lets you decide who will care for minor children and manage property left behind. You can determine how much money or property each beneficiary will receive from your estate. A Will also gives you the opportunity to name an executor (sometimes called a “personal representative”) to carry out the terms of your Will after you die. The executor will be responsible for locating your assets, paying your debts and taxes, and distributing any property left behind to those who are entitled to it. 

Trusts  

A trust is another important estate planning document you should consider using to protect yourself and your family. A trust can help you avoid probate proceedings in the District of Columbia by providing instructions about who will manage the property if someone becomes incapacitated or dies. You might also use a trust to reduce or eliminate estate taxes. It is worth noting that, in many cases, it is best to use a living trust instead of relying on a will. A living trust lets you control property while you are alive and includes instructions about what should happen if you become incapacitated or die. 

Estate and Trust Litigation  

Estate and Trust Litigation cases can arise due to a number of different situations that involve a family member challenging a Will or the administration of an estate. In any event, it is essential that you have a skilled attorney on your side who will protect your rights and ensure that your loved ones are protected 

Browne Family Law is proud to represent many families throughout the Washington, D.C., area in Estate Litigation matters. We understand that this is an extremely stressful time for you and your family. We will do everything possible to protect your interests while trying to limit the stress associated with these cases.  

When Can Someone Contest a Will? 

In general, there are three (3) reasons that someone might challenge the validity of a Will: 

1. Undue Influence  

Many people fail to realize that when you put together your estate plan, you must be aware of anyone who has the potential to take advantage of your loved ones in an attempt to gain control over your assets. This is often referred to as “undue influence.” Undue influence can be proven if it can be demonstrated that the Will was drafted under such suspicious circumstances that a third party would have had the opportunity, motive, and/or ability to exert such control over an elderly person or someone with diminished capacity. 

1. Lack of Testamentary Capacity  

An individual must understand what a Will is, what property he or she owns, and who the beneficiaries are in order to draft a valid Will. A contest could be brought if it can be proven that the Testator did not understand these basic elements prior to executing his or her Will. 

1. Lack of Sufficient Signature  

Each page of a properly executed Last Will and Testament must be signed by the Testator in order for the Will to be valid. If it can be proven that a page of the Will was not signed or if it is signed incorrectly, this may provide sufficient grounds to challenge its validity.  

Wills and Trusts Lawyer serving all of Washington, D.C. 

If you live in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia and are interested in learning how a Wills & Trusts attorney can help you with your estate planning needs, contact Browne Family Law today for more information. We have helped families throughout the region with all of their estate planning needs for years. Call us at (202) 670-5291 or leave us a message on the LiveChat section.