When a loved one passes away, they typically leave behind more than grieving family members and special memories. No matter how well they prepare, no matter the advice they sought in setting up their affairs for after they have gone, there are issues they couldn't have anticipated, or problems that arise from such a tragic event.
Even worse, if a family member winds up physically incapacitated and needs institutional accommodation - a nursing home or hospice, they often require a neutral party to look after their interests and to make sure that their holdings go toward their care and comfort, long before the size of their estate, and the complexities of its distribution can turn sadness into something far more unsettling.
That's why people in their position need a fiduciary, someone you can trust to have the ethics to do the right thing both in and out of court and the education and experience to foresee potential trouble and address internal and external conflict. It's their job. Of course, the question then becomes, "Why do I need to hire a professional fiduciary? I have friends and/or family members who could easily handle the job." Such an attitude is not unusual, but one based in the mistaken belief that such a position is easy, both individually and practically.
A trust may be self-explanatory, or an estate well planned out, and yet most individuals need someone to handle the myriad of tasks both require, items such as accounting, sending and receiving correspondence, negotiating agreements, attending court proceedings, selling real estate, filing tax returns, inventory and appraisal of personal and professional properties, finalizing the distribution of the estate, and perhaps most importantly, following the various State and Federal laws on each and every one of these duties, and many more.
Also, they need a fiduciary who is recognized by "CFP Certified." The label stands for "Certified Financial Planner" and is earned through the prestigious CFP Board. With that certificate in hand, clients are assured quality representation, knowledgeable and up-to-date on any and all changes in the law and the legal requirements of same. They can also be assured that their CFP Fiduciary has passed the stringent testing and ethical evaluation necessary to handle your situation with the proper professional approach.
At Altman and Associates, our Maryland estate planning attorneys recognize that people have a choice in potential fiduciaries, be it a corporate organization, a financial group, or a personal friend or family member. Our firm specializes in bridging the gaps between all the different possibilities, offering CFP certified representation that is both experienced and personal, assuring that an individual’s legacy is protected from harm and preserved for those left behind. It's all part of our overall commitment to the ultimate estate planning exercise, which sees us consider how assets will be owned, managed, and preserved during someone’s lifetime, and also how they wish for them to be distributed upon their death.
Our offices are conveniently located in the Rockville, Bethesda area and in Columbia, Maryland. Learn more about your options. Call us at 301-468-3220 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We will be happy to provide you with legal advice conveyed with Integrity, Honesty, Experience, and Professionalism.