Trusts and Wills

Trusts and Wills Attorneys and Legal Services

Planning for your family’s future is one of life’s most meaningful responsibilities. Estate planning through trusts and wills creates a legal foundation that protects your children’s security and your family’s legacy for generations to come.

At Foster + Bloom, we’re there for all of life’s biggest moments. In addition to family-building, we partner with families to navigate the complexities of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and other estate planning documents.

One of our estate planning attorneys can transform overwhelming legal processes into clear, manageable steps.

We want to help you protect what matters most: your children, your values and your family’s continued growth.

Trusts and Wills Legal Services

Let’s make sure your family is set for generations to come. Our comprehensive estate planning services are designed to meet your family’s needs.

Will Drafting and Preparation: We create detailed wills that reflect your family structure, including asset distribution, guardianship designations and executor appointments.
Trust Creation and Design: We draft revocable living trusts (which you can change), irrevocable trusts (permanent arrangements) and specialized trusts designed to protect your family.
Powers of Attorney (Medical and Financial): We prepare powers of attorney so your chosen representative can step in to make important decisions if you’re unable to do so.
Health Care Directives (Living Wills): We draft clear instructions to guide medical decision-making and ensure your health care wishes are respected.
Document Coordination and Integration: We ensure your will and trust work seamlessly together, creating a comprehensive plan that eliminates gaps and conflicts between documents.
Trust and Will Amendments: We modify and update existing documents as your family grows and circumstances change. This includes formal amendments, supplementary documents, and complete rewrites when needed.
Family-Specific Document Provisions: We incorporate specialized clauses for blended families, adopted children, and unique family structures directly into your documents.

Our Trust and Wills Attorneys

Janna Annest,
Founding Member

Mary Beck,
Founding Member

Catelyn Slattery,
Founding Member

DC, MD, VA

When Should I Start Working on My Will?

The best time to start estate planning is sooner than most families realize.

Many families postpone estate planning until they feel they have significant assets, but your most important legacy isn’t financial — it’s guaranteeing your children are cared for by the people you trust.

Without proper estate planning in place, your family’s future relies on state laws rather than your intentions. A comprehensive will honors your wishes, gives you control over your children’s guardianship, and builds your family’s security around your values and choices.

Trusts and Wills Attorneys Near You

Finding the right estate planning attorney means working with attorneys who understand both the legal complexities and the personal significance of estate planning. Our experienced team serves multiple states, bringing localized expertise to families throughout:

Maryland
Missouri
Virginia
Washington
Washington, D.C.

What Our Clients Say

We understand the trust families place in us to protect their most precious legacy. Our approach ensures every document reflects your family’s unique story and values.

What Makes Foster + Bloom’s Trusts and Wills Legal Services Different?

At Foster + Bloom, we bring a family-focused perspective to estate planning that sets us apart from traditional estate planning firms. Here’s what makes our approach unique:

We understand your family’s unique journey. Estate planning secures your family’s future. We bring genuine care and personal understanding to trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and more — ensuring your documents reflect your family’s unique story and protect what matters most.
We champion every family structure. We create estate plans that celebrate and protect every type of modern family. Your documents will reflect your family as it truly is, not as outdated legal templates assume it should be.
We’re your trusted partner through every life stage. We are your family’s legal allies through every milestone. When life changes, we’re here to update your plans and ensure your family’s protection evolves with you.

Whether you’re just starting to think about estate planning or ready to update existing documents, Foster + Bloom can help you create a comprehensive plan that reflects your family’s unique needs. Let us help you build the legal foundation your family deserves.

FAQ's

A will is a document that directs how your assets should be distributed after you pass away and names guardians for minor children. It only takes effect after death and typically goes through probate court. A trust, however, can take effect immediately and allows you to manage assets during your lifetime. Trusts often help families avoid probate and provide more privacy and control over asset distribution. There are also different kinds of trusts, each serving different purposes. An estate planning attorney can help you decide what type, if any, is best for your family.

Will requirements vary by state, but most require the document to be written, signed by you and properly notarized or witnessed. Some states allow handwritten wills, while others have specific formatting requirements. Your attorney will ensure your will meets all legal requirements in your state to avoid any challenges to its validity.

The timeline for estate planning depends on the complexity of your family situation. Simple wills can often be completed within a few weeks, while comprehensive estate plans involving trusts may take several months. We'll provide you with realistic timelines during your initial consultation and keep you informed throughout the process.

When someone dies without a will, state laws determine how their assets are distributed. This automatic process follows predetermined formulas that may not reflect your wishes or your family's needs. Without a will, you also cannot name guardians for your children, potentially leaving these critical decisions to the courts.

Yes. Wills can be contested, but proper planning significantly reduces this risk. Common grounds for contesting include claims of mental incapacity, undue influence or improper execution. We help minimize contest risks by ensuring your will is properly executed, clearly written and reflects your true intentions with appropriate documentation.

Probate is the court process of validating a will and distributing assets. You can minimize or avoid probate through several strategies, including creating a revocable living trust, naming beneficiaries on accounts and holding property jointly. Each approach has different benefits depending on your family's circumstances. However, whether avoiding probate is beneficial depends on your state. For example, in Washington, probate is typically simpler and less burdensome than in other states. An estate planning attorney can help you decide what approach makes the most sense for your family.

While it's legally possible to write your own will, estate planning involves complex legal requirements that vary by state. Simple mistakes in language, proper signing, or meeting legal requirements can invalidate your will or create unintended consequences for your family. An attorney for wills and trusts ensures your documents meet all legal requirements and truly protect your family's interests.

Review your will every three to five years or after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, births, adoptions, significant asset changes or moves to different states. Your estate planning attorney can help you determine when updates are necessary based on your specific situation.

While details vary by state, most comprehensive estate planning packages include: a will (or sometimes a trust, depending on your family’s needs), powers of attorney for both financial and medical decision-making, and a health care directive (also called a living will). An estate planning attorney can help you decide which documents are necessary to ensure your wishes are fully honored and your family is protected.