Desper Law Group

Mr. Darby, your comments do not accurately recount your interaction with our office. You contacted us and wanted an appointment as soon as possible to review your trust and other estate planning documents that you had prepared in another State. On the day of your appointment you acknowledged our office consultation policy with your signature which explains that reviewing documents and providing advice is performing work for you and not a consultation. The consultation occurred when you called our office and we told you that we could help you bring your estate planning documents into compliance with Maryland law. Your trust has a choice of law provision for the other State where it was prepared, not Maryland where you now live. You were advised about Maryland's inheritance tax pertaining to step-children which can be avoided through adoption. You were also advised about Maryland's Appointment of Healthcare Agent and Declaration of Living Will and Statutory Personal Financial Power of Attorney. You were told the flat fee we would charge to prepare the necessary amendment and new documents used in Maryland which you were fine with at that time. You were further told that the documents would ready for signature at our next meeting in 2 weeks. You were also told that I needed to speak with your Wife. You said you would call to let me know if your Wife was available that afternoon which she was not. I began preparing the documents we discussed. You called the following week and said your Wife had legal insurance through her work that would provide an attorney at no charge. We told you that was fine and you would be charged for our services rendered thus far at which point you became upset. I am confident in the advice I gave you, so much so that I will say that any attorney who told you that you do not need to do what I recommended does not know or understand the applicable Maryland law. Send me their name and contact information and I will be happy to call and share the relevant Maryland statutes with them. I wish you all the best.