The Law Office of Shannon Gahs

10/15/2026

This morning we sold the house and this afternoon we sold the car.

Work in administering estates doesn’t always look like the work other lawyers do. Sometimes, it is being creative, being where the family needs us, adjusting our schedules to solve problems because it will make their lives easier.

Because we’re not grieving, we can handle these tasks without the emotional weight it can carry for them. Because we’re trained in negotiation and contract language, we can be sure the family is being treated fairly in these transactions. Because we work for the estate and not for any one member of the family, everyone involved can trust that the result is fair.

In this estate, the family had spread out around the country. No one was local to meet with the realtor or deliver the car keys. What might not be too difficult for another family was exponentially harder because of lengthy travel that would be involved in each of these tasks.

When someone close to you dies, consider hiring an estate attorney who looks not only at the legal angles of the administration of the estate, but the practical angles as well. Choose a firm with a solid estate team 🙋‍♀️ who has the capacity to handle the research and logistics to make this process go as easily as possible for you.

Follow us for more stories and reliable Maryland information. The Law Office of Shannon Gahs

443-686-9781
Shannongahs.com

10/09/2026

We’re so happy to sponsor this festival. Best wishes OLPH!

🍂 FALL FESTIVAL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT 🍂
Today we’re excited to shine a spotlight on The Law Office of Shannon Gahs, a Maryland law firm helping individuals and families protect what matters most! ⚖️💙

The Law Office of Shannon Gahs focuses on estate planning, wills, trusts, and estate administration, helping families create thoughtful plans for the future and protect the people and things that matter most. Whether planning for a growing family, preparing for the future, or navigating the administration of an estate, their team is dedicated to listening and providing personalized guidance. 📋🏡

📍 Serving families throughout Maryland
🏢 Howard County • Harford County • Worcester County
📞 (443) 686-9781
🌐 shannongahs.com

Thank you, The Law Office of Shannon Gahs, for supporting OLPH School and our Fall Festival! We’re grateful for our amazing sponsors who help make this special event possible. 🍁🧡

09/29/2026

A well-drafted Estate Plan leads to an easy Estate, a family without conflict and preservation of assets for people and causes you love.

You should review your Plan yourself once a year. October is a great time to do it- we call it Happy Ghost Season!

🎃 This year we want to share the happiness! 🎃 While you're reviewing your documents binder, snap a photo of a part of the season that makes you smile- a pet in a costume, an adorable decoration, a beautiful latte...

Tag and tell us about your Happy Ghost Moment! The pic that makes us smile the most will get a free Legal Review and Revision!

Anyone can participate but only former Estate Planning Clients can win. If you don't win but you have questions or need revisions, call to schedule your Legal Review and Revision. (443) 686-9781

09/24/2026

Did you know that we teach other lawyers about Trusts & Estates Law?

At the Maryland State Bar Association Annual Summit in June, we presented a continuing legal education course on recent issues in our area of practice to a double-room of practicing attorneys. This course was specifically intended for criminal lawyers, family lawyers, corporate lawyers and real estate lawyers.

Maryland has never required continuing education for practicing attorneys. We think it’s important to keep sharp, and choose to stay informed, reading the latest cases as they’re decided, being involved in county and state Bar committees, and spending hours preparing presentations for attorneys and other community groups. We want to be the best. You trust that we are.

In a time when AI is increasingly clouding what’s real, actual experience is irreplaceable. You’ll always be able to trust us.

Free consultations at 443-686-9781 and shannongahs.com.

09/19/2026

Congrats to the honorees and 33rd Annual Gala Committee for a stunning evening! We are so proud to support you and celebrate your accomplishments.

09/15/2026

Did you know?

If a person dies with unpaid child support, the child support must be paid before any other debt or any gift is given to any other person.

If you are owed child support, make sure you file that claim!

09/11/2026

If your ex is still listed as beneficiary on your life insurance, but the divorce is final, it doesn’t get paid to them, right?

You might be surprised at how often this comes up. Beneficiaries are so simple to make, simple to change, and unfortunately simple to forget. They most often come up on financial accounts and insurance policies, but more recently Maryland has also enabled people to add them to car titles and even real estate. Beneficiaries are simpler to make and change than a Will or Trust, but also create interesting problems for those of us who see them every day.

If there’s a major change in your family, like a marriage, divorce, birth or death of a close family member, it’s time to look all of your beneficiaries up. Make sure every account or policy gets updated so they reflect who you actually want to receive them. Nothing should pass to a child or someone who relies on a state program for support by beneficiary designation, inheriting could become much more of a headache than you realize for these people specifically.

Important:
Beneficiary designations take priority over a Will. Let’s say that again for the people in the back. They come BEFORE a Will. So even if you write a Will that says everything is to go to your new spouse, or your kids, or your sister, or whoever after the divorce is final, if the beneficiary still lists the ex, the ex is entitled to the full amount of that asset following your death.

If your former spouse is still listed, it’s assumed that’s want you want to happen. Plenty of people do- in one example we saw last month, even decades after the divorce was final- for a variety of reasons, maybe they’re not your partner anymore but are still a close friend, maybe they’re still raising your shared children.

If that’s not what you want to happen, here’s your reminder to go make sure they’re not still named.

Let’s discuss your family and your assets specifically. Every family works differently. We offer free consultations, weekend and evening hours, and no-surprises flat rate pricing. 443-686-9781 or

Partner with a legal professional who truly listens, an advisor who wants to understand your priorities and will help you plan for the future.

08/28/2026

Such a tricky transition point in life. This group gets it.

There is usually no single moment when the roles begin to shift with aging parents.

A confusing medical bill.
A missed payment.
A scam text that almost got clicked.

When and how do you step in without taking over?

The goal is not to take control.

The goal is to make sure helpful people, information, and safeguards are in place before decisions have to be made under pressure.

One potential conversation starter you could try…

“We are reviewing our own estate documents and realize we should understand where everything is.”

Sometimes, that is enough to open the door.

The families who tend to feel best about how this chapter goes are the ones who approached it as a proactive exercise rather than a response to a problem.

We are glad to be part of that process at whatever stage a family is ready to begin.

08/25/2026

Revocable Living Trusts get a lot of mileage online but are actually overkill for a lot of Maryland residents. There is nothing wrong with using a well-drafted Will for your estate planning, especially for families who don't have property outside of the state, who aren't looking at more than $5M in assets, and who don't have concerns about fraud or manipulation.

In my opinion, a lot of the pressure to have a Trust is fear mongering, and that's just not how you treat people.

Let's have a quick conversation about whether a Will or a Trust fits your specific family needs best. We offer Free 15-Min Phone Consultations every day. shannongahs.com 443-686-9781

08/24/2026

Caring for someone with dementia can be at the same time fulfilling and loving and also isolating and overwhelming. The Alzheimer's Association has a free 24/7 Caregiver Hotline. If you need to talk with someone who knows what you're going through and can help you get the resources you need, call anytime. 800.272.3900