Estate Planning Lawyer in St. Mary’s County, MD
St. Mary’s County is home to a unique mix of military families, government contractors, retirees, and lifelong Southern Maryland residents. Whether you are stationed at NAS Patuxent River, working for a defense contractor, raising a family in Leonardtown, or enjoying retirement along the Potomac, having a comprehensive estate plan is essential to protecting the people and assets you care about most.
At SoMD Estate Planning, attorney Kathryn Batey provides personalized estate planning services to St. Mary’s County families through virtual consultations and in-person meetings at our White Plains and Oxon Hill offices. Our tech-forward approach and flat-fee pricing make it easy for busy St. Mary’s County families to get the legal protection they need.
Estate Planning Services for St. Mary’s County
SoMD Estate Planning offers the full range of estate planning services that St. Mary’s County families need:
Simple Wills — Name your beneficiaries, appoint an executor, and designate guardians for your minor children with a properly drafted will.
Living Trusts — Avoid probate, maintain privacy, and control how your assets are distributed with a revocable living trust.
Advanced Medical Directives — Document your healthcare preferences and designate a healthcare agent to make decisions for you if needed.
Power of Attorney — Ensure a trusted person can manage your finances and legal affairs if you become incapacitated.
Guardianship Designations — Choose who will care for your children rather than leaving that decision to the courts.
Why St. Mary’s County Families Need Estate Plans
Military families stationed at NAS Patuxent River face unique estate planning challenges. Deployments, relocations, and hazardous duty assignments make it critical to have a will, powers of attorney, and guardianship designations in place before each deployment. Service members need to ensure that their SGLI beneficiary designations are coordinated with their overall estate plan and that their spouses have the legal authority to manage family affairs during their absence.
St. Mary’s County also has a growing retirement community, and retirees need estate plans that address healthcare directives, long-term care planning, and the orderly transfer of assets to the next generation. Government contractors and federal employees in the area often have complex benefits packages, including TSP accounts and life insurance policies, that must be properly integrated into their estate plans.
Without an estate plan, Maryland’s intestacy laws control the distribution of your assets. Courts appoint guardians for minor children. The probate process ties up your estate for months. Advance directives are the only way to ensure your healthcare wishes are honored. Do not leave these critical decisions to chance.
Our Tech-Forward Approach
SoMD Estate Planning understands that St. Mary’s County families are busy. That is why we offer virtual consultations via secure video conference, making it possible to create a comprehensive estate plan from anywhere. Our tech-forward process includes digital document preparation, flat-fee pricing with no surprise costs, and a streamlined workflow designed to minimize office visits and maximize convenience.
Why Choose SoMD Estate Planning
Kathryn Batey earned her Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Sewanee: The University of the South. She is admitted to practice in Maryland and Virginia and is a Super Lawyers 2025 honoree. Kathryn previously served as a Deputy District Public Defender and has been appointed by Governor Wes Moore to the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission. As a parent of two children, she understands why estate planning matters for families.
Serving All of St. Mary’s County
SoMD Estate Planning serves families throughout St. Mary’s County, including Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Great Mills, Mechanicsville, Hollywood, Charlotte Hall, Ridge, Piney Point, Park Hall, and Chaptico. Virtual consultations make it easy for all St. Mary’s County residents to work with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does estate planning cost in St. Mary’s County?
SoMD Estate Planning offers flat-fee pricing so you know the cost upfront. The price depends on the documents and complexity involved. Call (301) 818-0389 to speak with Kathryn Batey and personalized quote.
Why do military families need estate plans?
Military families face unique risks including deployments, hazardous duty, and frequent relocations. A comprehensive estate plan ensures that your spouse has power of attorney during deployments, your SGLI beneficiary designations are coordinated with your will, guardians are designated for your children, and your healthcare wishes are documented. Every service member should have an estate plan in place before each deployment.
Can I do my estate plan virtually?
Yes. SoMD Estate Planning offers secure virtual consultations via video conference. Many St. Mary’s County families complete their entire estate plan remotely, which is especially convenient for military families and busy professionals.
What documents do I need for a basic estate plan?
A basic estate plan typically includes a last will and testament, an advanced medical directive (combining a living will and healthcare power of attorney), and a financial power of attorney. Depending on your situation, you may also benefit from a revocable living trust and guardianship designations for minor children.
Contact Us Today
Protecting your St. Mary’s County family starts with a conversation. Call SoMD Estate Planning at (301) 818-0389 to schedule your contact us with attorney Kathryn Batey. Virtual consultations are available for your convenience.