Thoughtful Planning to Protect Your Family, Assets & Future
Estate planning is not only about distributing assets — it is about providing clarity, protecting loved ones, and ensuring your wishes are honored. A comprehensive estate plan gives you control over financial decisions, healthcare directives, guardianship arrangements, and long-term wealth preservation.
Bean, Kinney & Korman provides estate planning services to individuals and families throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. region. We work closely with clients to develop customized plans that reflect their family structure, financial goals, and long-term intentions.
Whether you are creating your first will or updating an existing trust structure, we guide you through each step with care and precision.
Estate Planning Services
Wills
- Drafting and updating last will and testaments
- Appointment of guardians for minor children
- Asset distribution instructions
- Executor designation
- Coordination with beneficiary designations
A properly drafted will ensures your intentions are legally enforceable.
Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts
- Revocable living trusts
- Asset management during incapacity
- Probate avoidance planning
- Irrevocable trust structures for asset protection
- Special needs trusts
Trusts provide flexibility and long-term control over asset distribution.
Powers of Attorney
- Financial powers of attorney
- Durable powers of attorney
- Agent designation and authority scope
- Planning for incapacity
Powers of attorney allow trusted individuals to manage affairs if needed.
Advance Medical Directives
- Living wills
- Healthcare powers of attorney
- End-of-life decision planning
- HIPAA authorizations
Medical directives provide clarity during difficult situations.
Estate Tax & Wealth Preservation Planning
- Review of estate tax exposure
- Gifting strategies
- Coordination with financial advisors
- Asset protection structures
- Business succession considerations
Strategic planning helps preserve family wealth and reduce uncertainty.
Business & Professional Planning
- Succession planning for business owners
- Ownership transfer strategies
- Coordination with buy-sell agreements
- Protection of professional practices
Estate planning should align with long-term business goals.
Who We Represent
Our Estate Planning practice serves:
- Individuals and families of all ages
- Parents of minor children
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- High-net-worth individuals
- Blended families
- Military families
- Individuals with special needs dependents
We tailor plans to reflect each client’s personal and financial landscape.
When to Update an Estate Plan
Estate plans should be reviewed after major life events, including:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Death of a beneficiary
- Significant changes in assets
- Business growth or sale
- Relocation to another state
Regular review ensures continued alignment with your wishes.
Estate Planning FAQs
What documents are included in a basic estate plan?
A basic estate plan typically includes a will, financial power of attorney, healthcare directive, and possibly a revocable trust, depending on the client’s needs.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will directs asset distribution after death and goes through probate. A trust can manage assets during life and after death, often avoiding probate and providing greater privacy.
Do I need an estate plan if I don’t have significant assets?
Yes. Estate planning also addresses guardianship of minor children, healthcare decisions, and financial management during incapacity — not just asset distribution.
Can estate planning reduce taxes?
In some cases, strategic planning can minimize estate or gift tax exposure and protect long-term wealth. Tax considerations depend on asset size and structure.
How often should an estate plan be reviewed?
Estate plans should be reviewed every few years or after significant life changes to ensure they remain current and effective.
Representative Matters
Himmelfarb v. Greenspoon, 411 A.2d 979 (D.C. 1980)
Principal drafter of the brief of appellee. The D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of claims based on plaintiff’s failure to respond to discovery and established the standards for invalidating wills in the District of Columbia based on allegations of fraud and undue duress.
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