Wills, Estates, Trusts, & Elder Law

Attorneys protecting you and your loved ones in Maryland

Hoffman, Comfort, Offutt & Scott, LLP is recognized as having some of the top estate planning attorneys in Carroll County and central Maryland.  The firm has five attorneys with combined experience of over 130 years in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law.  Attorneys Ron Comfort, Jeff Scott, Damian Halstad, Neal Hoffman, and Dennis Twigg can offer you assistance with respect to:

Estate Planning

The skilled and knowledgeable attorneys of Hoffman, Comfort, Offutt & Scott, LLP can analyze your unique personal and financial circumstances, guide you through your estate planning options and tailor a plan to meet the specific needs of you and your family. A typical estate plan would include the following:

• Last will and testament
• Powers of attorney, including the new Maryland Statutory Financial Power of Attorney effective as of October 1, 2010
• Healthcare advance directive and/or living will

We also prepare trusts for a variety of purposes, including—

• Reduction of potential estate taxes
• Management and protection of assets for minor children and individuals with special needs
• As an alternative to probate

Estate Administration

The loss of a loved one can be a very trying time.  Our experienced attorneys and staff help you through the probate process, providing you the personal service and attention you need at this difficult time.  We assist you with every step of estate administration including:

• Filing the required documents to open an estate
• Obtaining valuations for all assets
• Preparation and filing of the inventory of assets
• Preparation of the detailed accounting of all income earned and expenses incurred
• Preparation of Maryland and federal estate tax and fiduciary income tax returns as necessary

Elder Law

Medicaid planning to protect your assets can be complex.  Strict eligibility guidelines for income and assets must be met.  Our attorneys can provide you with sound advice regarding these guidelines, including the time period during which your assets, income, and transfers will be scrutinized (the “look back period”) and whether any of your assets may be considered exempt.  It is prudent to plan for this scenario years in advance of any application.

Former clients have made the following comments about our estate planners:

• “...for the past 17 years you have handled our legal work with the professional expertise we commend. You and your assistants have produced documents, tax returns, and estate filings - all so well done. We want to retain you for any legal help we may need in the future.”
• “We appreciate very much the promptness of the Wills, etc. since we wanted them done before our 3 week vacation. Thank you.”
• “Very professional, informative, current on tax laws, etc. Reasonable fees.”

Carroll County estate planning law firm

To put our experience to work for you, speak with our estate planning and elder law attorneys.  Call (410) 848-4444 or contact Hoffman, Comfort, Offutt & Scott, LLP online to make an appointment.  We serve clients throughout Carroll County and central Maryland.