OUR NINE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
This month, we celebrate our nine-year anniversary! We opened our doors April 17, 2015, and made an offer on our forever home on West Patrick Street in October of 2015. In our early days, we had only two employees, including Attorney Clark. Nine years later, we have eleven employees. We even purchased a second office space just across the parking lot! Our consultations and client meetings will remain at our original location.
This month also marks two years since Attorney Clark’s dad passed away, leaving Attorney Clark, her brother, and her mom to settle his modest estate back in Estonia. Despite encouragement from Attorney Clark, her parents never created a Will and a Revocable Living Trust. At 68-years old, her dad thought he had years left to create an Estate Plan leaving his possessions to his beloved wife! Instead, Estonian law dictated that his estate, including his marital home of 38 years, would be split equally between his wife and children.
To make things worse, Attorney Clark couldn’t just forfeit her share of the estate because, by Estonian law, it would be passed to her then one-year-old son, who couldn’t disclaim until age 18! Attorney Clark’s mom was legally responsible for maintaining and paying taxes on a property that she wanted to sell. Eventually, Attorney Clark and her brother found an expensive solution and were able to “gift” their shares to their mom. Luckily, there was no Gift Tax issue, which would have applied under US law.
WHY IS ESTATE PLANNING IMPORTANT?
Life is unpredictable, and the unexpected can happen at any time. Having a solid Estate Plan can ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Our team is on a mission to make sure your family does not have to go through what Attorney Clark’s family had to endure.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR CREATING A WILL?
We ask all Potential Clients to submit an Estate Planning Questionnaire and consultation payment before the consultation so that the initial meeting time is used productively.
At the consultation, we review your questionnaire and discuss your goals. Within a few weeks, you will come in, review and sign the documents, and leave with peace of mind knowing that your loved ones are taken care of.
Attorney Clark has been working in Trusts and Estates law for twenty years and running this firm for nine years. We know Estate Planning laws can benefit you!
If you need help protecting your money and loved ones in the event of death or disability, call us at 301-696-0567 or self-schedule online at lenaclarklegal.com.