Estate Litigation and Probate Attorneys Maryland and Washington DC
Probate and estate litigation be an extremely stressful and complicated endeavor. The estate and probate litigation attorneys at Longman & Van Grack have decades of experience in assisting clients with complex litigation related to estate matters throughout Maryland and Washington DC. Each estate litigation attorney at Longman & Van Grack understands that probate disputes can be emotionally and financially difficult. Our Maryland and Washington DC probate litigation attorneys work to resolve these types of disputes as efficiently as possible.
When an individual passes away, they usually leave behind assets and liabilities in many different contexts. They also usually leave behind loved ones. The deceased may or may not have an estate plan including a will, trust, or other documents. Even when someone dies with a well-formulated estate plan, there can still be a probate dispute, which leads to estate litigation in Maryland or DC. All it takes is one interested party to feel as though he or she has been wronged to initiate a probate dispute, will contest, or caveat. Each probate and estate litigation attorney at Longman & Van Grack is well-versed in handling all types of estate litigation matters in Maryland and DC, and our probate litigation attorneys represent both beneficiaries and executors.
What is an Interested Party?
Under Maryland and DC law, an interested party is any individual that has standing to challenge the estate. Our estate litigation attorneys have represented interested parties and challenged interested parties in many different types of estate litigation. Specifically, an interested party is a potential heir to the estate. An heir at law is any individual who is entitled to receive an inheritance from the decedent if there is no will or trust. Other interested parties include beneficiaries provided-for in a will, even if they are strangers or distant family members. Any one of these individuals could cause a dispute to arise that results in a disputed estate. Most of the time, when the estate is submitted to probate, interested parties must be notified. This gives them an opportunity to challenge the estate if they so desire. It is important to note that specific laws in Maryland and DC determine who is and is not an interested party.
Types of Estate Litigation
In Maryland and DC interested parties can challenge an estate for a variety of reasons. If an interested party wants the probate court to determine that a will or trust is invalid they have the right to challenge it. This challenge is called a contest or a caveat. A will or trust contest or caveat can be based on an assortment of factors. The challenger could say that the testator (maker of the will) lacked mental capacity. They can also assert that the will was executed under undue influence on the testator. A will or trust can also be contested based on fraud or malfeasance. In addition, a challenge can be based on the fact that the execution of the will or trust did not comply with state regulations. Our probate litigation attorneys can assist with these types of matters
Interested parties can also challenge a will or trust based upon the actions of the personal representative or trustee in certain situations in Maryland and DC. If an individual believes that the personal representative (executor) or trustee involved acted in bad faith or committed malfeasance or fraud, there may be a valid claim. Interested parties can also contest a will or trust based on the appraisal and distribution of assets.
How can a Maryland, Virginia, or DC Estate Litigation Attorney help?
In the event of a contested will or trust or any other type of estate litigation in Maryland or Washington DC it is crucial to be represented by an experienced probate litigation attorney. These estate litigation matters are usually complex and require the knowledge and skill only a litigation attorney with knowledge of trusts and estates can offer. Longman & Van Grack’s attorneys have the experience and skills to help in these situations. If you are involved in a dispute relating to a DC or Maryland estate personal representative in need of a probate litigation attorney call one of our estate litigation attorneys Longman & Van Grack at (301) 291-5027 for a consultation at our Maryland (Rockville or Bethesda) or DC Offices today
