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Francois Williams Legal Knowledge. Diligence. Solutions. For help with your trust and estate planning and administration (probate), contact Francois Williams Legal

We are a law firm providing legal services in general civil matters, estate planning and probate administration.

When the first spouse dies, the estate plan enters a new stage.A joint trust may contain specific instructions for what ...
10/19/2026

When the first spouse dies, the estate plan enters a new stage.

A joint trust may contain specific instructions for what happens next, and the surviving spouse may have responsibilities that are easy to overlook during an already difficult time.

The trustee may need to review the trust terms, identify and value assets, coordinate with the deceased spouse’s estate, address tax filings and deadlines, and make distributions required by the trust. The exact steps depend on how the trust was drafted and the assets involved.

Tax considerations can also extend beyond whether estate tax is actually owed. For example, a timely Form 706 may be needed to elect portability of a deceased spouse’s unused federal estate tax exclusion, even when the estate is not otherwise required to file the return.

This is why a surviving spouse should not assume the trust will simply take care of everything automatically.

If your spouse has passed away and you have a joint trust, review the trust carefully and get professional guidance before making significant distributions or changes.

Francois Williams Legal is here to help you understand what needs to happen next.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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Today is an opportunity to recognize the leaders, managers, and supervisors who help guide their teams and keep organiza...
10/16/2026

Today is an opportunity to recognize the leaders, managers, and supervisors who help guide their teams and keep organizations moving forward.

Leadership comes with responsibility. It involves making decisions, supporting employees, handling challenges, and helping create an environment where people can do their work well.

On Boss’s Day, we recognize those who lead and appreciate the work they contribute to their teams and organizations.

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10/15/2026

Leaving an inheritance to a child is a thoughtful gift, but how you leave it matters just as much as what you leave.

Naming a minor child directly as the beneficiary of financial accounts or life insurance can create legal complications. In many cases, a court-appointed guardian may be required to manage the assets until the child reaches the age of majority. Once that age is reached, the child may receive full control of the inheritance all at once, regardless of their financial maturity. The specific rules vary by state.

For many families, a trust provides greater flexibility. A trust can allow you to determine when and how assets are distributed, appoint a trusted person to manage the funds, and include protections for beneficiaries who are minors or have special needs.

Every family's circumstances are different, and the best planning strategy depends on your goals and the needs of your loved ones.

Francois Williams Legal helps families in Florida, Maryland, and DC create estate plans that protect future generations with thoughtful and customized planning.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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09/16/2026

Blended families deserve estate plans that reflect the people you consider family.

Many people are surprised to learn that, under Florida law, stepchildren generally do not inherit through intestate succession unless they have been legally adopted. If you pass away without a valid estate plan, the law determines who inherits, and your stepchildren may receive nothing, regardless of your relationship.

A carefully drafted will or trust allows you to decide who receives your assets instead of relying on default state laws. This is especially important for blended families, unmarried couples, and anyone who wants to provide for loved ones who are not legal heirs.

Do not leave these important decisions to chance. A personalized estate plan can help ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected.

Francois Williams Legal helps families in Florida, Maryland, and DC create estate plans tailored to their unique family dynamics.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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A will and a trust are both valuable estate planning tools, but they serve different purposes. For many families, the ri...
09/08/2026

A will and a trust are both valuable estate planning tools, but they serve different purposes. For many families, the right answer is not choosing one over the other. It is creating a plan where both work together.

A will allows you to name beneficiaries, appoint a personal representative, and nominate guardians for minor children. A revocable living trust can help manage assets during your lifetime, provide for incapacity planning, and help avoid probate for assets that are properly transferred into the trust. A "pour-over" will is often used alongside a living trust to direct any remaining probate assets into the trust after death.

The best estate plan depends on your goals, your assets, your family, and the laws of your state. A personalized strategy can help protect your loved ones and make the administration of your estate more efficient.

Francois Williams Legal helps individuals and families in Florida, Maryland, and DC create estate plans tailored to their unique needs.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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Happy Labor Day from Francois Williams Legal!Today, we recognize the dedication, perseverance, and contributions of work...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from Francois Williams Legal!

Today, we recognize the dedication, perseverance, and contributions of workers who help strengthen our families, businesses, and communities.

At Francois Williams Legal, we believe the work you put into building a life and providing for your loved ones deserves thoughtful protection.

This Labor Day, we honor the people whose hard work helps build the future.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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09/04/2026

Leaving a gift to your grandchildren is a wonderful way to create a lasting legacy. The key is making sure that gift is protected.

When a minor is named as a direct beneficiary, financial institutions generally can not distribute the assets directly to the child. Depending on the type of asset and state law, a court-supervised guardianship or another legal arrangement may be required until the child reaches the age of majority.

For many families, a trust provides greater flexibility. A trust allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage the inheritance, establish guidelines for how the funds may be used, and determine when distributions should be made based on your grandchild's age or milestones instead of an automatic lump sum.

Every family's goals are different. Thoughtful estate planning can help ensure your gift supports your grandchildren in the way you intended.

Francois Williams Legal helps families in Florida, Maryland, and DC create customized estate plans that protect future generations.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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09/02/2026

Choosing a trustee is one of the most important decisions you will make when creating a trust.

While trustworthiness is essential, it is not the only factor to consider. A trustee should also be capable of handling legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities. In some situations, appointing a non U.S. person as trustee can create additional tax, reporting, banking, and administrative complications. Depending on how a trust is structured and who has authority over its decisions, the trust could even be treated as a foreign trust for U.S. tax purposes, resulting in additional compliance requirements and potential tax consequences.

Every family has unique circumstances, especially when loved ones live outside the United States. An experienced estate planning attorney can help you choose the right trustee and structure your trust to avoid unnecessary complications.

Francois Williams Legal helps families in Florida, Maryland, and DC create estate plans that are designed to protect their legacy while addressing complex planning needs.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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Blended families often require a more intentional approach to estate planning because fairness is not always as simple a...
08/31/2026

Blended families often require a more intentional approach to estate planning because fairness is not always as simple as an equal split.

Clear planning helps ensure that all family members are considered and that your intentions are reflected accurately in your estate documents. Without proper structure, state law and default rules may distribute assets in ways that do not align with your wishes.

Many families use trusts and strategic planning tools to create flexibility, protect children from prior relationships, and provide support for a surviving spouse while maintaining balance across the family structure.

It is also important to coordinate beneficiary designations and other accounts so that they align with your overall plan.

Open communication and careful planning can help reduce misunderstandings and potential conflict while preserving family relationships.

At Francois Williams Legal, we help blended families create estate plans that are structured, thoughtful, and tailored to their unique situation.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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08/28/2026

Creating an estate plan is more than simply signing paperwork. Every document is part of a larger legal strategy, and each one should be properly prepared and executed so your plan works as intended.

A trust-based estate plan often includes several documents that work together, including a revocable living trust and a pour-over will. Because these documents reference one another, your attorney will typically guide you through the signing process in the appropriate order as part of a coordinated estate planning strategy.

That is one reason attorney-guided signing appointments are so valuable. They help ensure documents are executed correctly, questions are answered, and avoidable mistakes are minimized.

Francois Williams Legal helps individuals and families in Florida, Maryland, and DC create estate plans that are carefully prepared and properly executed.

📞 301-358-0377 (Maryland/DC) | 954-372-2021 (Florida)
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9701 Apollo Drive Suite 301
Upper Marlboro, MD
20774

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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