Baltimore Divorce Law Blog

The recent passing of a celebrity like Whitney Houston reminds me that death can be both shocking and unexpected. Her trust for her daughter was tailored to Ms. Houston's specifications about how, when and why her young daughter should receive her inheritance.

This spring, I have personally committed to updating my own will and other estate planning documents in my law office in Howard County. I am mindful that even though my daughter is now a young adult, there are certain provisions I would like to see in a testamentary trust for her benefit to ensure that funds for her benefit are put to good use. While the circumstances of Whitney's passing were tragic, from what I have been reading, she was very thoughtful about planning to take care of her young adult daughter.

At the Law Offices of Cynthia M. Lifson, we would like to assist you in your planning for the future of yourself and your family. If you would like to complete or update your estate planning, please contact a Columbia Wills and Trusts Attorney or Baltimore County estate planning attorney. We work hard to ask you the right questions to be sure your wishes are enunciated clearly to save your family much distress after you are gone.

Please visit the Wills and Trusts page on our website  if you would like to read more information about the estate planning process in the Law Offices of Cynthia M. Lifson.

Many of us make New Year's resolutions. The most common include losing weight, getting more exercise and reading more. All of these resolutions are intended to create a healthier, more knowledgeable future. My New Year's resolutions include all of the above and to blog more frequently so you can be more informed.

One way to take care of your family is by committing to prepare and estate plan. You may think nothing extraordinary happens to you, and so you do not need to plan. But I was pretty amazed by three startling events within two weeks in 2011 in Maryland: an earthquake, Hurricane Irene and the ghost of Hurricane Lee, which contributed to major flooding in Maryland. These events in rapid succession show how quickly our lives could change with little notice.

This year, I am committing my time and energy to updating my will, power of attorney, and advance health care directive. Isn't it ironic - here I am an attorney who focuses on estate planning for her clients and I need to do this just like everyone else. Fortunately, however, I do know that estate planning is easier than losing weight!

Hello from my law office. My name is Cynthia Lifson and you may have seen my website, spoken with me on the phone, or even met me in person. If not, I do hope that one day our paths will cross. I am embarking on a new adventure (new at least for me!). I am starting a blog to develop a platform to discuss matters related to family law. While I can't give a participant on my blog specific legal advice about his or her particular situation, I am starting out by sharing my thoughts on how you might make a good legal connection if you ever have the need to work with an attorney. I do hope that this blog will evolve into a lively and interesting place that you will enjoy visiting.

Here is something that I'd like to share with you that I learned as a newbie attorney that may be helpful to you. When I began my legal career, I was in awe of the enormity and complexity of the law. I was so overwhelmed! Fortunately, I had the benefit of speaking with a seasoned attorney who said to me (in a wonderful Southern drawl that reminded me of the Atticus Finch character in To Kill a Mockingbird), "Cynthia, if you know the facts of your case, you will be fine. The law will suggest itself to you."

This insight has stayed with me throughout the years and helped me navigate through my cases. It's true that the law contains technicalities that require time and attention to master and that certain documents containing "legalese" can be confusing and may require explanation. However, once the facts of a situation are clear, we can understand and appreciate how the law may be applied to resolve a dispute, especially in matters related to families.

When I meet a new client at my Columbia or Owings Mills office, I ask many questions about his or her situation. Because I deal with family law, these questions may seem intrusive. They touch on very sensitive subjects related to reasons for divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, or marital property. It's not easy to talk to a stranger about such private matters. But I have found over and over again, that the client who is open about his or her situation with the attorney, who prepares for a legal consultation by writing down questions in advance, and who participates in the work associated with the case has a better result than the client who does not get involved. Thoughtful client preparation along with your personal evaluation of the attorney you meet will assist in making a good legal connection.