Wills, Trusts

Wills and trusts for global families

RT began as a fiduciary practice, and planning for families across borders remains part of our work. Families with assets or heirs in more than one country face questions that domestic templates rarely answer. We prepare Maryland wills, trusts and powers of attorney, and coordinate with advisers abroad where foreign assets are involved.

Lead attorney

Temitayo M. Tijani

Last reviewed September 2026

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Who this is for

Families with property in the United States and another country
Parents naming guardians for minor children
Couples where one spouse is not a U.S. citizen
Families who want planning consistent with their faith, including Sharia-compliant structures

How we help

Wills and guardianship: We draft Maryland wills that name guardians and executors.
Trusts: We prepare revocable living trusts and specialty trusts, including special needs trusts.
Non-citizen spouses: We plan for the federal estate tax rules that treat non-citizen spouses differently, including the qualified domestic trust (QDOT).
Incapacity planning: We draft financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives.

Timeline

Most plans are signed within four to eight weeks of the first meeting, depending on complexity.

Document checklist

A starting list. We send a checklist for your case after the consultation.

List of assets in each country, with approximate values
Names and contact details of heirs, executors and guardians
Existing wills, trusts or beneficiary designations
Citizenship and residence of each spouse

“We own property in two countries. They explained how a U.S. will and trust work for our children abroad in language we understood.”

Fatima B., Germantown, MDWills and trusts

These reviews are illustrative examples while client reviews are being collected.

Questions clients ask

Does Maryland have an estate tax?

Yes. Maryland applies an estate tax to estates above a state exemption of $5 million, and a separate inheritance tax of 10 percent on transfers to some beneficiaries outside close family. Rates and exemptions can change, so we confirm them at the time of planning.

Why does a non-citizen spouse matter?

The unlimited federal marital deduction does not apply to transfers to a spouse who is not a U.S. citizen, unless assets pass through a qualified domestic trust (QDOT) or another exception applies.

Will my U.S. will cover property abroad?

Sometimes, but foreign law may control property located in that country. We coordinate with local counsel where needed.

What is a revocable living trust?

A trust you control during your life that can pass assets to heirs without probate court in Maryland.

Can you prepare a Sharia-compliant plan?

Yes. We prepare plans that follow the distribution rules a family chooses, within the limits of Maryland law.

Do I need a guardian designation?

Parents of minor children should name a guardian. Without one, a court decides.

Ready to talk it through?

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