Wills, Estate Planning & Probate Plan Today. Protect Tomorrow. Estate planning is about more than deciding who receives your property. It allows you to organize your affairs, protect your loved ones, appoint trusted decision-makers, and help ensure your wishes are carried out. At Apex Legal Services, we help individuals and families prepare important estate planning documents and represent clients in probate and estate litigation before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Estate Planning Most adults should have a comprehensive estate plan. While online forms are readily available, they often fail to address an individual's unique circumstances or comply with applicable legal requirements. We prepare customized estate planning documents designed to reflect your wishes—not a one-size-fits-all template. Our estate planning services include: • Last Will and Testament • Durable Financial Power of Attorney • Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care • Living Will (Advance Directive)
Last Will and Testament A Last Will and Testament allows you to decide how your property will be distributed after your death, nominate a Personal Representative, and identify beneficiaries. Without a valid will, your estate will generally be distributed according to the intestacy laws of the District of Columbia rather than your personal wishes. We prepare customized wills for a flat fee, regardless of length.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney A Durable Power of Attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage financial and legal matters on your behalf. Because the power is "durable," it generally remains effective if you later become mentally incapacitated. Proper planning may eliminate the need for a court-appointed Conservator in many situations.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care appoints someone you trust to make medical decisions if you become unable to communicate or make those decisions yourself.
Living Will (Advance Directive)A Living Will allows you to document your health care and end-of-life wishes before a medical crisis occurs. It provides guidance to your family, health care providers, and appointed health care agent concerning life-sustaining treatment and other important medical decisions.
Probate & Estate Administrations If a loved one dies, we represent clients throughout the probate process. Our services include: • Petitions for appointment as Personal Representative • Estate administration • Probate filings • Advising Personal Representatives regarding their fiduciary duties • Coordinating with accountants, appraisers, financial institutions, and other professionals when appropriate
Estate Litigation When disputes arise, we represent clients in contested probate matters, including: • Will contests • Trust disputes • Claims against estates • Beneficiary disputes • Fiduciary disputes • Guardianship proceedings • Conservatorship proceedings We represent a wide variety of parties in probate matters, including: • Personal Representatives • Beneficiaries • Creditors and claimants • Guardians • Conservators • Petitioners and respondents
Claims Against an Estate If you believe an estate owes you money or has improperly denied your rights, we can evaluate your claim and represent your interests during the probate process.
Guardianships & Conservatorships We represent clients in proceedings involving the appointment of Guardians and Conservators for adults who are alleged to be incapacitated, as well as related litigation before the Probate Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Fees Estate planning documents are generally prepared for a flat fee. Probate administration and litigation are typically handled on either a flat-fee or hourly basis, depending on the matter. We do not accept probate or estate matters on a contingency fee basis.