Business Details
11 Years
experience
Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys in Maryland
McDonald Law Firm has been providing trusted legal services in estate planning, Medicaid/long-term care planning, and special-needs planning since 2015. Our practice is built on a foundation of personalized guidance, ensuring clients' assets and legacies are protected through tailored legal strategies. With offices in Columbia, Bethesda, and Washington, DC, we serve individuals and families across Maryland and the District of Columbia. Our founder, Andre O. McDonald, brings extensive experience from his work in elder law clinics, pro bono services, and board appointments, offering a practical, goal-oriented approach to complex legal matters.We prioritize transparency, ethical standards, and client-centric solutions, with a focus on probate avoidance, asset protection, and long-term care planning. Recognized as a Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Star, our firm combines legal expertise with a commitment to community service and client education, ensuring families achieve peace of mind through comprehensive estate planning.
Services
Estate Planning
Medicaid Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Trust Administration
Wills and Probate
Long-Term Care Planning
Guardianship Services
Veterans Pension Planning
Asset Protection
Power of Attorney
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized estate planning solutions tailored to your family's unique needs.
- Our founder is a Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Star with 10+ years of legal experience.
- We specialize in Medicaid asset protection and special-needs trust administration.
- Serving Howard, Montgomery, and Washington, DC communities with local expertise.
- We provide clear, actionable legal guidance without complex legal jargon.
Services
Estate Planning
Estate planning ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimizing taxes and probate. We create customized wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to protect your family's future. Our services address tax strategies, healthcare directives, and legacy preservation for Maryland residents.
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid planning services help seniors protect assets while qualifying for long-term care benefits. We implement Medical Assistance Asset Protection Trusts and spend-down strategies to preserve wealth. This ensures compliance with Maryland's complex Medicaid eligibility rules while securing quality care.
Special Needs Trusts
Special needs trusts safeguard government benefits for individuals with disabilities. We establish third-party and self-settled trusts to maintain Supplemental Security Income eligibility. Our plans ensure financial security without compromising access to critical healthcare and social services.
Trust Administration
Trust administration involves managing assets according to trust terms after the grantor's death. We guide trustees through probate avoidance, tax filings, and beneficiary distributions. Our services ensure compliance with Maryland trust law while protecting beneficiaries' interests.
Wills and Probate
We draft legally binding wills that outline asset distribution and guardianship preferences. Our probate services assist executors in settling estates efficiently. This includes court filings, debt resolution, and ensuring proper transfer of property according to Maryland intestacy laws.
People
Andre O. McDonald
Attorney at Law
Andre O. McDonald is a Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Star with expertise in estate planning and elder law. He founded McDonald Law Firm to provide personalized legal solutions, combining experience from pro bono work, military service, and board appointments.
Questions
What is included in a comprehensive estate plan?
A comprehensive estate plan includes wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and asset protection strategies tailored to your specific needs.
Does Medicaid cover assisted living in Maryland?
Medicaid covers assisted living in Maryland through the Waiver for Older Adults program if skilled nursing care is required, though waiting lists may apply.
How do special needs trusts protect government benefits?
Special needs trusts preserve eligibility for Medicaid and SSI by holding assets that aren't counted toward income limits while providing supplemental care funds.
What happens if I don't create an estate plan?
Without an estate plan, Maryland intestacy laws will distribute your assets, potentially against your wishes, and may cause family disputes during probate.
Can I update my existing estate plan?
Yes, we recommend reviewing and updating estate plans every 3-5 years or after major life events like marriage, divorce, or significant asset changes.
