Secure Your Family’s Future Today
Don’t leave your legacy to chance. Fill out the form below to schedule your complimentary 15-30 minute discovery call. We will discuss your specific needs in MD or D.C. and determine how our personalized planning process can protect your loved ones.
- Deep Experience and Knowledge
- A Holistic Approach
- A Focus on Relationships
- A Commitment to Excellence
- Estate Planning: We design personalized legal frameworks, including wills and trusts, to ensure your assets are protected and your family avoids the stress of probate.
- Family Law: Leveraging decades of experience, we navigate the sensitive intersections of marriage, divorce, and custody to protect your interests and your children.
- Trust & Estate Administration: Our firm provides steady guidance to executors and trustees, helping them settle estates and manage trusts efficiently following the loss of a loved one.
- Coates Legacy Circle: This annual membership program ensures your estate plan remains current and effective as your life, assets, and the law evolve over time.
- Wills and Trusts
- Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Directives
- Guardianship Designations
- Medicaid Asset Protection
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
- Probate Litigation
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I really need a trust, or is a simple will enough for my situation?
Determining whether you need a will or a trust depends entirely on your specific goals, assets, and family dynamics in Maryland or D.C. While a will is a foundational document, many clients at Coates Family Law choose a revocable living trust to avoid the public, costly, and time-consuming probate process. We help you evaluate factors like out-of-state property, the need for privacy, and whether you want to protect a child’s inheritance from future divorce or creditors. We never upsell unnecessary documents; instead, we provide an honest assessment of what serves your family best.
How much does estate planning cost and is it a worthwhile investment?
Cost is a primary concern for most families, and we believe in total transparency. While online templates might seem cheaper initially, they often fail during a crisis because they weren’t funded or tailored to local laws. At Coates Family Law, we offer a complimentary discovery call to understand your needs before moving into paid planning sessions. Our fees reflect the senior-level expertise and personalized coaching you receive, ensuring your plan actually works when your family needs it most. Investing in a professional plan prevents the massive costs of litigation or probate errors later.
Can you help me if I have a blended family or property in multiple states?
Yes, Coates Family Law specializes in complex family structures and is licensed in both Maryland and the District of Columbia. Blended families face unique risks, such as accidentally disinheriting children from a previous marriage or triggering guardianship disputes. We use our deep family law background to draft documents that protect your current spouse while securing your children’s future. Additionally, owning property across state lines makes probate even more complicated, so we implement strategies like trusts to ensure your multi-jurisdictional assets are handled seamlessly without requiring multiple court proceedings.
What happens to my minor children if I don't have a formal plan in place?
For parents of young children, the fear of “who raises them” is a major emotional driver. Without a legal plan, the court—a stranger who doesn’t know your family—will decide who becomes the guardian of your children. This can lead to family conflict and long legal battles. Coates Family Law prioritizes guardianship designations and financial protections for minors. We help you choose the right person and ensure they have the resources needed to care for your kids, giving you the certainty that your children will be raised by those you trust.
How often should I update my estate plan and how do you help with that?
An outdated estate plan can be just as dangerous as having no plan at all. Life events like divorce, a new baby, moving between MD and D.C., or a change in tax laws can make your documents obsolete. Most firms deliver a binder and disappear, but Coates Family Law offers the Coates Legacy Circle. This annual membership keeps your plan current as your life changes. We recommend reviewing your plan every few years or after any major milestone to ensure your legacy remains protected and your intentions are still accurately reflected.
What Our Clients Say
Our focus is our clients. We pride ourselves on a detail-oriented approach and a commitment to providing the personal attention and professional service you expect.