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Icon of Family - Higher Ground Legal

Clients Are Like Family

Two people shaking hands in front of a globe

Personalized Consultation

Blue handshake icon - Higher Ground Legal

Relatable Representation

A blue logo with a star

Excellent Client Reviews


About The Higher Ground Legal

Trust Preparation & Estate Planning Attorneys In Thurmont, MD

Your Trusted Retirement & Estate Planning Lawyers

Your legal welfare matters. That’s why we work hard to ensure our clients receive the best representation available. From estate planning to tax advice, we use our knowledge and experience to help others save money, time, and confusion as they navigate the legal system. 

Higher Ground Legal works alongside our clients to develop personal relationships. This enables us to understand their unique legal needs and objectives and develop a cohesive strategy as a team. Whatever your estate planning and tax needs may be, Higher Ground Legal stands ready to provide you with the support you need to thrive. Estate Planning Lawyers Near Emmitsburg, MD (Frederick; Lake Linganore; Urbana)

Our Practice Areas

Over the years, Higher Ground Legal has developed a diversified approach to estate planning and tax advice. Legal matters can be stressful and difficult to manage alone. That’s why we make it our priority to stand beside you throughout the entire legal process to ensure your best interests are protected. Whether you need assistance from an estate administration lawyer or a tax minimization attorney, Higher Ground Legal has you covered. 


Do I Need An Attorney For My Living Trust?

A Living Trust allows you to remain in control of your assets until you pass away. This means that you’re not only creating an estate plan from scratch, but you also may be designating new beneficiaries, instituting life insurance, and managing other important legal issues in real-time. Because of the complexities associated with Living Trusts, you should consider hiring an attorney. With their oversight and guidance, you will be able to create an estate plan that reflects your goals – and make productive changes to it as you deem necessary.

The Role Of A Maryland Living Trust Attorney

A Maryland Living Trust attorney has many crucial responsibilities aimed at facilitating the establishment, management, and execution of Living Trusts. This ensures that your legacy is appropriately preserved and gives you peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be cared for according to your wishes. The key duties of a Maryland Living Trust attorney include:

Ongoing Legal Guidance, Trust Creation and Documentation Customization and Trust Changes, Trust Administration and Management, Probate Avoidance, Trusted Legal Advocacy

Put Your Future On Higher Ground Legal

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Our esteemed estate planning lawyers work diligently to help clients prepare thoughtful and inclusive Trusts. Working alongside other qualified professionals, our Trust lawyers are able to represent individuals residing in all 50 states. Additionally, we offer Will preparation as a part of a package when establishing Trusts. We provide basic estate planning packages for single clients or couples. These services may include:
  • Review of any and all existing wills or trusts
  • Living/revocable trust for the family
  • Power of attorney for each spouse
  • Advanced medical directive for each spouse
  • Estimated estate taxes
  • Estimated income taxes due at death
  • Several specific recommendations for minimizing those taxes
  • Drafting deeds to transfer your properties into the trust
  • Assistance in changing beneficiaries, recommendations for how to title properties, etc.
  • Unlimited (within reason) follow-up texts/emails/phone calls to discuss updates and other things related to estate planning
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At Higher Ground Legal, we are passionate about helping people pay less taxes and save money. By helping reduce or minimize taxes, we are able to take a significant amount of financial stress away from the individuals we represent. Taxes can be complicated and overwhelming to handle on your own. We aim to take this burden off your shoulders so you can focus on other important facets of your life. We also provide tax advice in collaboration with estate planning. This is invaluable to the financial aspect of your estate plan. With the help of our adept estate tax lawyers, you will be able to develop a plan of action that best suits your particular situation. Whatever your circumstances may be, the tax planning attorneys at Higher Ground Legal are here to provide you with the thoughtful guidance you need to succeed.
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A Revocable Trust enables you to make ongoing changes to your estate plan while you are alive and able to do so yourself. The direct benefits of a Revocable Trust include the ability to avoid probate, additional privacy, and protection in the case of incapacitation. An Irrevocable Trust, on the other hand, cannot be altered once it is signed unless the named beneficiary or beneficiaries agree. These trusts can have significant tax advantages, asset protection from creditors, and can help meet certain income threshold requirements for government benefits.

Who We Serve

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Located in Thurmont, Maryland, we offer our legal services to local residents and to those living in Washington DC, Virginia, Southern California, Central California, and beyond. 

Additionally, we are capable of preparing Trusts for clients in all 50 states. 

Higher Ground Legal has your best interests at heart if you need assistance with tax issues or Trust preparation.

What You Need To Know About Preparing A Trust In Maryland.

1: Legal Advice For Retirement Planning In Maryland

2: Asset Protection After Retirement In Thurmont, MD

Can A Trust Help Avoid Probate?

Yes, a Trust can be an effective strategy to avoid probate. When you create a trust, you are removing your property and assets from your individual ownership. Because your estate is technically owned by the Trust, it is not then subject to probate after your death.

How Can A Trust Protect Family Assets?

Depending on the specific goals of the Trust creator, there can be various ways to protect family assets. A well-crafted Trust can achieve:

  • Asset Preservation
  • Protection from Creditors
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Tax Minimization
With the oversight of a trusted attorney, you can facilitate significant protection for family assets – ensuring peace of mind and security for generations to come.

What if My Children Get Divorced After I Die?

If your children are the beneficiaries of a Trust, their inherited assets may be protected from separation in the event of a divorce. This all depends on the structure of the Trust, “spendthrift clauses”, pre or post-nuptial agreements, and more. The best way to be sure about the intricacies of these circumstances is to contact a reputable attorney.

Is it Possible to Give Away Assets To Charity Before You Die?

Yes, you can use many estate planning strategies to give your assets to charity before you die. These tools include:

  • Direct Gifts
  • Creating a Charitable Trust
  • Donor-Advised Funds
  • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
  • And More

There are various ways to give your assets to charity during your lifetime. Speak with an attorney today to find out the best option for you.

What Sets Our Maryland Trust Preparation Attorneys Apart?

As a client-centered law firm, Higher Ground Legal prides itself on providing individualized care to every person we work with. Your legal success is our priority – and we will ardently work alongside you to ensure you are cared for and protected.

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Address: 14821 Mud College Road, Thurmont, MD 21788


Phone: (301) 363-7934 (Estate planning, we'll make it stress-free)


Office Hours: Monday - Thursday (8am – 9pm)
Friday (8am – 5pm)
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (2pm – 9pm)


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  • Get It All Done In One Place

No more working between an attorney, CPA, and financial advisor and hearing conflicting advice from each party. We provide our clients with comprehensive legal guidance so they are able to make informed decisions every step of the way.

  • Estate Planning And Taxes

We tailor a plan for you based on your best options. By working with us, you’ll be able to save money on all fronts instead of guessing. At Higher Ground Legal, we will help you prevent unnecessary problems by streamlining your legal plan.

  • Comprehensive Retirement Planning

Our close relationship with Higher Ground Financial Group enables us to help you establish a retirement plan that thoroughly coexists with every aspect of your financial world. When it comes to planning for your retirement, Higher Ground Legal is here to help you achieve your goals with confidence and precision.

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