MaryEllen Willman

Partner, Co-Chair of Tax & Private Wealth Section
blank image MaryEllen Willman

MaryEllen Willman

Partner, Co-Chair of Tax & Private Wealth Section
Columbia T: 410.347.8720 F: 410.884.2422
Falls Church T: 410.347.8720 F: 410.884.2422
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MaryEllen Willman

MaryEllen Willman

PARTNER, CO-CHAIR OF TAX & PRIVATE WEALTH SECTION
mwillman@whitefordlaw.com
COLUMBIA
T: 410.347.8720
F: 410.884.2422

FALLS CHURCH
T: 410.347.8720
F: 410.884.2422
Biography
BIOGRAPHY

Ms. Willman counsels clients in a wide range of wealth profiles and personal circumstances with respect to estate planning and incapacity planning. Ms. Willman also has experience in designing and drafting estate plans to address each client's personal goals and needs, from basic planning to more complex planning involving generation-skipping trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts and family limited liability companies. She is a true master of estates & trust litigation as she represents trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries in a wide range of fiduciary litigation matters. Furthermore, Ms. Willman has instituted proceedings against agents, personal representatives and trustees to compel accountings and produce books and records.

Recognitions

  • AV Preeminent®: Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Member: Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Executive Committee
  • Member: Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member: Virginia State Bar Association
  • Member: District of Columbia Bar Association
  • Member: American Bar Association, Real Property and Estates and Trust Section
  • Member: Howard County Estate Planning Council
  • Working knowledge of Spanish, Italian and Russian

Estate Planning & Administration

  • Counsels clients in a wide range of wealth profiles and personal circumstances with respect to estate planning and incapacity planning
  • Designs and drafts estate plans to address each client's personal goals and needs, from basic planning to more complex planning involving generation-skipping trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts and family limited liability companies
  • Represents non-U.S. citizens with regard to estate planning utilizing qualified domestic trusts and other planning techniques
  • Works with multiple generations of family members to provide intergenerational estate planning
  • Advises business owners on how to transfer of business interests and plan for ownership succession
  • Handles guardianships, conservatorships, probate of decedents' estates and post-mortem administration of trusts in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia
 

Estates & Trust Litigation

  • Prosecuted actions for breach of fiduciary duty to recover misappropriated estate and trust funds
  • Instituted proceedings against agents, personal representatives and trustees to compel accountings and produce books and records
  • Handled inter partes probate actions
  • Prosecuted actions to establish heirship
  • Represents trustees, personal representatives and beneficiaries in a wide range of fiduciary litigation matters
  • Represented beneficiary electing spousal share of augmented estate
  • Obtained seven-figure settlement from trustee on behalf of a trust beneficiary for trustee’s breach of fiduciary duty
INSIGHTS

Frequently lectures to financial advisors, accountants and others on topics related to estate planning and estate taxation

ARTICLES

January 23, 2024

Client Alert: 2024 Changes to Estate and Gift Tax Exclusion Amounts

As another new year is upon us, we are providing a summary of the changes to the federal and state estate and gift tax limits which became effective on January 1, 2024. We hope you find this information helpful as you consider planning options for 2024 and beyond. If you have any questions or are wondering how these changes may impact your particular situation, please do not hesitate to contact our office and we will be happy to discuss the effect these changes may have on your estate plan.
January 20, 2023

Client Alert: 2023 Changes to the Estate and Gift Tax Exclusion Amounts

As another new year is upon us, we are providing a summary of the changes to the federal and state estate and gift tax limits which became effective on January 1, 2023. We hope you find this information helpful as you consider planning options for 2023 and beyond. If you have any questions or are wondering how these changes may impact your particular situation, please do not hesitate to contact our office and we will be happy to discuss the effect these changes may have on your estate plan.
 
January 20, 2022

Client Alert: 2022 Changes to Estate and Gift Tax Exclusion Amounts

As another new year is upon us, we are providing a summary of the changes to the federal and state estate and gift tax limits which became effective on January 1, 2022. We hope you find this information helpful as you consider planning options for 2022 and beyond. If you have any questions or are wondering how these changes may impact your particular situation, please do not hesitate to contact our office and we will be happy to discuss the effect these changes may have on your estate plan.
March 22, 2021

Women's History Month - Organizations We Support

In celebration of Women's History Month and the contributions and dedication of our female attorneys, we are spotlighting nonprofits and organizations we have sponsored, been involved with and supported throughout the past year.
April 3, 2020

Client Alert: Remote Notarizations Lift Barriers for Shut-In DMV Residents

On Monday, March 30, 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan issued a series of executive orders in response to the COVID-19 crisis, including an order temporarily authorizing the use of remote notarizations throughout the state (Executive Order No. 20-03-30-04), thus allowing Maryland residents to obtain essential notary services without having to leave their homes.  Subject to guidance issued by Maryland Secretary of State, Governor Hogan’s order temporarily waives the in-person requirement for notarizing documents in Maryland for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
 
January 9, 2018

2018 Changes to Federal, Maryland and D.C. Estate Tax Laws

The recently enacted federal tax legislation (the “2017 tax law”) significantly changed prior law with respect to the taxation of individuals and corporations, including changes to the estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions.  These sweeping federal law changes also impact the estate tax laws of Maryland and the District of Columbia, which are tied to federal law.  A few of these changes are summarized below for residents of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.  If you have any questions or are wondering how these changes may impact your particular situation, please do not hesitate to call and we will be happy to discuss the effect these changes may have on your estate plan.

NEWS

August 6, 2012

WTP Lawyers Contribute Pro Bono Services to "Wills for Heroes"

Six lawyers from Whiteford Taylor & Preston’s Baltimore, Towson and Columbia offices joined lawyers from the Legal Department of Constellation/Exelon and other law firms in the Wills for Heroes (WFH) pro bono clinic on August 1, 2012. The event was held at the Anne Arundel Fire Department Training Academy and served 35 clients without charge.