Wright, Constable & Skeen LLP
Attorneys at Law in Baltimore, Maryland
* Bankruptcy/Creditors Rights
* Construction Law
* Corporate & Business Planning
* Employment & Labor Law
* Estates and Trusts
* Family Law
* Insurance Defense & Coverage
* Litigation
* Maritime and Transportation Law
* Mediation/Arbitration
There are few areas of the law which have undergone more change in recent years than the tax laws - estate tax, gift tax, income tax, and the generation-skipping transfer tax. John D. Wright, a founder of the firm, was a pioneer in estate and tax planning in Baltimore, and Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P. has maintained an extensive practice in those areas throughout its history.
The estate planning process begins with a careful analysis of the client's holdings, their estimated value, and whether they are held individually or in joint names. Business interests, life insurance, and employee benefits are examined. Our goal is to understand and implement the wishes of our clients in the most tax-efficient manner. We do not believe that tax considerations should be the controlling factor in estate planning, but we are prepared to guide our clients to solutions which are right for them personally and which utilize all possible tax-savings techniques.
From simple wills for people of modest means to sophisticated estate planning, we have used such planning devices as aggressive gift programs to family members, revocable (living) trusts, testamentary trusts, life insurance trusts, charitable gifts of various kinds and personal residence trusts.
Estate planning also includes planning for possible future disability. In counseling our clients, we recommend that consideration be given to durable powers of attorney for financial matters, and advance medical directives for health care.
Estate Administration
Attorneys at Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P. are frequently asked to serve as personal representative (executor) of a client's estate, either with a family member or alone. With the support of experienced paralegal personnel, we are then responsible for probating the Will, assembling all the assets, obtaining appraisals, carrying out any corporate buy-sell agreements, filing the required papers with the Register of Wills, acting on claims against the estate, filing the final income tax returns for the decedent, and investing available cash. Throughout this process we maintain complete and accurate records of the estate, file periodic accountings with the Register of Wills and the family, file the income tax returns for the estate, file the U.S. estate tax return if the value of the estate requires it and make numerous tax elections, including the QTIP election.
In situations where family members or a bank are named as personal representatives, Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P. can act as attorney for the estate. Our role will vary with the circumstances and the experience of the personal representatives. We are prepared to take a leadership role in the administration of the estate or carry out specific tasks as may be assigned.
The administration of an estate requires a combination of technical know-how, attention to detail, and the ability to work comfortably with the family. The lawyers and paralegal staff at Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P. have been serving Maryland families in this matter for many years.
Wright, Constable & Skeen LLP
1 Charles Center - 16th floor
100 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21201
Tel: 410 659-1300
Fax: 410 659-1350
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