Overview of Maryland Probate Overview

In part two, attorneys Todd Spignardo and Kate Biggerstaff show young families how to prepare for an estate planning consultation by organizing information about family members, assets and intended inheritance timing. They discuss selecting guardians for minor children, deciding how and when children receive assets, updating plans after life changes, and checking property titles and beneficiary designations to ensure they match the estate plan.

Attorneys Todd Spignardo and Kate Biggerstaff explain why even young families with modest assets should consider an estate plan. They discuss the risks of dying without a will, Virginia intestate succession, choosing guardians for minor children, coordinating wills and trusts with beneficiary designations, and preparing powers of attorney and advance medical directives. They also emphasize the importance of life insurance for parents.

Attorneys Todd Spignardo and Dominique Braggs continue their revocable trust asset review, focusing on life insurance, retirement accounts, business interests and digital assets. They explain the importance of beneficiary designations, retirement-account tax treatment, operating-agreement transfer restrictions and proper trust funding, while also touching on access to online accounts and planning for pets and other specialized assets.