Blog - "Altman Speaks"

Estate Administration Details that TV and Movies Get Wrong

While television and movies provide great entertainment, they are not always factual. Even shows based on real events are not entirely accurate. Creators of television programs and movies will often alter details of a story or situation to provide an enjoyable experience. Because of these widespread embellishments, people frequently develop misconceptions about many industries and […]

Maryland State Archives

Altman & Associates has been informed that the Maryland State Archives, which houses all the state's land records, plans to charge .20 cents per page to view those records beginning in May. While this new charge seems minimal, it affects the government and firms like ours, such as real estate and legal firms, with additional […]

Tips to Avoid a Will or Trust Contest

Fighting over provisions in your will or trust can derail your final wishes, deplete your financial legacy, and tear your loved ones apart. However, with proper planning, you can help your family avoid a potentially disastrous fight. If you are concerned about challenges to your estate plan, consider: A family meeting is a proactive way […]

Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are

5 Things to Talk About with Your Family So, you have done your estate planning, titled the assets, and chosen your trustees and beneficiaries, but have you shared this with your family? You intend to pass along your hard-earned money and property through your estate plan, but what about your wisdom? Ensuring this may call […]

Avoiding a Trustee’s Personal Liability for Estate Taxes

Trustees often assume they primarily manage and distribute trust assets according to the trust. While that is mainly true, one critical issue can turn a trustee’s role from a fiduciary responsibility into a personal financial risk: estate taxes. Sometimes, trustees can find themselves liable for unpaid estate taxes, even if they never benefited from the […]

Estate Planning for the Newly Married

Have you recently married? If so, now is the perfect time to start working on an estate plan. As newlyweds, you are likely deciding which of your accounts and property (your assets) to combine and how to turn two households into one. You may also set up new bank accounts and create a plan for […]

Congratulations Coryn & Babak!

There is nothing better than being a part of a marriage ceremony. My wife and I were honored to witness the marriage of Coryn Rosenstock, Esq., and Babak Damadi, together with their families, yesterday. Many of you may remember Coryn, who joined our law firm as a young lawyer thirteen years ago. I have been […]

Estate of Frankford - Notes Found with an Unsigned Will Held to be a Will Under the Harmless Error Rule

Estate planning is critical in ensuring a person’s wishes are honored after passing. A properly executed Will instructs asset distribution, preventing confusion and potential disputes among family members. Without a legally binding Will, an estate may be subject to intestate succession laws, resulting in outcomes that do not reflect the decedent’s intentions. A recent case […]

On Again, Off Again, On Again – Now Different! What a Yoyo!

There is much uncertainty around compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act, passed by Congress in January 2021 under the Biden Administration. This past Sunday, the Treasury Department announced the new proposed rules. The law required companies to report their beneficial ownership to FinCen to combat money laundering, illicit shell companies, and terrorism. Certain businesses were […]

What To Do if Your Trustee Is Unresponsive

A trustee has a duty under the law to communicate with beneficiaries and keep them informed as to the progress of the trust administration. Depending on your state’s law, such duty to notify may require the trustee to give beneficiaries a copy of the trust document, provide information regarding the anticipated timeframe of the trust […]

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Recent Posts

Estate Administration Details that TV and Movies Get Wrong

Maryland State Archives

Tips to Avoid a Will or Trust Contest

Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are

Avoiding a Trustee’s Personal Liability for Estate Taxes

Estate Planning for the Newly Married

Congratulations Coryn & Babak!

Estate of Frankford - Notes Found with an Unsigned Will Held to be a Will Under the Harmless Error Rule

On Again, Off Again, On Again – Now Different! What a Yoyo!

What To Do if Your Trustee Is Unresponsive

1 2 3 … 79 Next »