Secure Your Legacy with Estate Planning

When it comes to protecting your loved ones, preserving your wealth, and ensuring your wishes are honored, nothing is more important than a comprehensive estate plan. At The Law Offices of Clifford M. Cohen, we have decades of experience guiding Washington DC residents through every aspect of estate planning — from drafting wills and establishing trusts to creating powers of attorney and advanced directives. Our mission is to give you peace of mind today and security for the future.

Estate Planning Lawyer in Washington D.C.

The Goal of Estate Planning for Washington D.C. Residents

Estate planning is about more than distributing your assets — it’s about creating a comprehensive plan that addresses your financial, medical, and personal wishes. For DC residents, this means:

  • Protecting loved ones by ensuring your children, spouse, or other beneficiaries are cared for financially.

  • Avoiding unnecessary legal complications by keeping your estate out of costly and time-consuming probate whenever possible.

  • Reducing taxes and fees through strategies tailored to DC’s unique estate and inheritance tax laws.

  • Maintaining control over who makes financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

  • Safeguarding your legacy so your hard-earned assets are distributed exactly as you intend.

A well-designed estate plan helps you plan for life’s “what-ifs” while making things easier for the people you love during difficult times.

Working with an experienced estate planning attorney gives you more than just documents — it gives you guidance, strategy, and legal protection. Here’s why our clients choose The Law Offices of Clifford M. Cohen:

  • Local Knowledge: We understand Washington DC estate planning laws, tax codes, and probate procedures.

  • Tailored Solutions: No two families are the same. We design estate plans that reflect your unique needs, values, and goals.

  • Comprehensive Planning: From wills and trusts to advanced tax strategies, we cover every angle to protect your assets.

  • Ongoing Support: Life changes — your estate plan should too. We provide ongoing reviews and updates to keep your plan current.

Peace of Mind: Knowing your wishes will be carried out and your loved ones will be protected provides invaluable reassurance.

Our Estate Planning Services

Wills

ENSURE YOUR ASSETS

A Last Will and Testament ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. Without a will, state laws determine who inherits your property, which may not reflect your preferences. A will also allows you to:

  • Appoint a guardian for minor children.
  • Name an executor to manage your estate.
  • Specify how personal belongings and assets should be distributed.
  • Prevent family disputes by clarifying your intentions.
  • Support charitable causes with legacy gifts.

While a will is essential, it does not bypass probate. To streamline asset distribution and maintain privacy, consider incorporating trusts into your estate plan.

Trusts

AVOID COSTLY PROBATE PROCEEDINGS

Trusts provide control, flexibility, and privacy while avoiding the delays and costs of probate. Depending on your needs, you might consider:

  • Revocable Living Trust: Allows you to manage assets during your lifetime and seamlessly transfer them to beneficiaries after death.
  • Irrevocable Trust: Offers asset protection and potential tax benefits but cannot be modified once established.
  • Special Needs Trust: Ensures individuals with disabilities receive financial support without affecting government benefits.
  • Testamentary Trust: Created through a will and activated after death to manage inheritance for minors or beneficiaries with specific needs.
  • Spendthrift Trust: Protects inherited assets from creditors and mismanagement by beneficiaries.

Trusts can also safeguard assets from divorce, lawsuits, and creditors while ensuring responsible inheritance.

Powers of Attorney

GIVE CONTROL TO THOSE YOU TRUST

A Power of Attorney (POA) allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. There are different types of POAs, each serving a unique purpose:

  • Durable Power of Attorney: Remains valid during incapacity and allows for continuous management of assets and finances.
  • Springing Power of Attorney: Only takes effect if you become incapacitated, providing peace of mind while you’re capable.
  • Limited Power of Attorney: Grants authority for specific tasks, such as managing real estate transactions.

A properly drafted POA ensures your financial matters are handled without court intervention, protecting your interests during incapacity.

Advance Directives

RESPECTING YOUR WISHES

Advance directives ensure your medical preferences are respected if you cannot communicate them yourself. These documents typically include:

  • Living Will: Outlines the medical treatments you do or do not want in end-of-life situations.
  • Health Care Proxy: Appoints a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf.
  • HIPAA Authorization: Grants designated individuals access to your medical information.

By documenting your wishes, you relieve loved ones of difficult decisions and reduce the risk of family disputes.

Advanced Estate Planning

FOR CASES REQUIRING EXTRA ATTENTION

Advanced estate planning strategies protect assets, minimize taxes, and ensure smooth wealth transfer. Common strategies include:

  • Generation-Skipping Trusts: Pass wealth to grandchildren while avoiding double taxation.
  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Exclude life insurance proceeds from the taxable estate.
  • Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs): Facilitate wealth transfer while maintaining asset control.
  • Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Transfer appreciating assets while minimizing gift taxes.
  • Charitable Trusts: Support philanthropic goals while reducing estate tax liability.

These strategies can preserve your legacy while ensuring your beneficiaries receive the maximum benefit.

Frequently Asked Questsions Regarding Estate Planning in Washington D.C.

While you can write your own will, working with a lawyer ensures it’s legally valid, properly executed, and aligned with DC law.

Your estate will be distributed according to DC intestacy laws, which may not reflect your personal wishes and can create unnecessary family conflict.

Every 3–5 years or after major life changes like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, acquiring significant assets, or moving to DC.

No. Trusts can benefit anyone by avoiding probate, protecting assets, and ensuring controlled distribution of property.

Yes. DC has its own estate tax laws, and a carefully designed plan can help minimize or avoid certain taxes.

Review and Update Your Estate Plan Regularly

Estate planning is not a one-time task. Life events — such as marriage, divorce, new children, or a significant change in assets — should prompt a review of your plan. At The Law Offices of Clifford M. Cohen, we work with you to ensure your documents always reflect your current wishes and remain compliant with Washington DC laws.

Ready to protect your family and your future? Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Estate Planning Lawyer in Washington DC.

Schedule a Consultation

Serving Our Communities With Dignity and Compassion

At The Law Offices of Clifford M. Cohen, we believe estate planning is for everyone. From wills and trusts to advanced estate planning strategies, we are the experienced choice for young couples, middle-class families, and high-net-worth individuals. Contact us today to get started.

Contact Our Firm

© 2025 Law Offices of Clifford M. Cohen | Phone: 202-895-2799
5335 Wisconsin Ave NW #440, Washington, DC 20015