WNAV

07/01/2025

Motorists should expect heavy traffic at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and along the US 50 corridor Wednesday, July 2, through Monday, July 7, in both directions. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) recommends the following times to cross the bridge to alleviate travel delays.

Eastbound:
Wednesday, July 2 – before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 3 – before 7 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
Friday, July 4 – before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 5 – before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 6 – before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Monday, July 7 – before 12 p.m. and after 7 p.m.
Westbound:
Wednesday, July 2 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Thursday, July 3 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Friday, July 4 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 5 – before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
Sunday, July 6 – before 9 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
Monday, July 7 – before 6 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
For real-time 24/7 Bay Bridge traffic information call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or visit Baybridge.com. For real-time updates on major incidents on Maryland toll roads follow https://x.com/TheMDTA on X.

Stretches of concurrent eastbound and westbound delays are anticipated over the holiday period. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents. Weather and traffic permitting, two-way traffic operations (during which one lane of eastbound traffic is directed to the westbound span) will be implemented to help prevent eastbound delays from becoming gridlock at the Bay Bridge. Two-way traffic operations may be limited based on westbound traffic volumes, as bridge officials strive to mitigate delays on both sides of the bridge. Two-way traffic operations are prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions, fog/limited visibility and times of precipitation, and may be prohibited during incidents. Drivers who travel outside of the recommended drive times should expect significant delays when crossing the bridge. The core issue is traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operations timing nor management.

Overhead lane signals apply to travel lanes BEFORE, ON and AFTER the bridge wherever lane signals are present.

06/26/2025

Estate Planning Vocabulary Terms
Estate planning can seem like a complex and intimidating process. Understanding some key vocabulary terms can make it much more accessible. Below is a breakdown of some of these terms that you should know.
1. Estate Generally, your Estate refers to everything you own. Everything. Estate planning involves deciding what happens to your things after death. This is why an in-depth look at your assets is an essential part of estate planning.
2. Will a. A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for the distribution of your assets after your death. However, a will only controls assets that go through probate. Probate assets are assets that are only in your sole name with no beneficiary designation. So, things like assets titled in trust, joint assets, and assets with a beneficiary, will not go through probate. If the asset does not go through probate, then it is not governed by your will. 3. Personal Representative a. The Personal Representative is the person you name in your will to manage the affairs of your probate assets. The personal representative also has some other responsibilities such as reporting for inheritance tax and estate tax, and handling creditors claims against the estate.
4. Trust a. A trust is a legal entity in which you can place assets. If an asset is in trust, then it will not go through probate. There are various types of trusts that can be used to manage your estate, avoid probate, and reduce estate taxes. A trust also provides for some additional flexibility which a will does not.
5. Trustor a. The trustor is the person who establishes the trust. This is the person who is putting assets into the trust. The trustor determines the terms of the trust and, depending on the terms, may have the power to amend, restate, or revoke the trust.
6. Trustee a. A trustee by contrast, is the person who is responsible for managing the assets that the trustor has put into the trust. The trustee carries out the terms of trust that the trustor has laid out. The trustee does not have the power to amend or revoke the trust. 7. Beneficiary a. A beneficiary is someone who receives a portion of your estate, whether through a will, trust, or designation on an account. Beneficiaries can be individuals, charities, trusts, or organizations.
8. Heir a. An heir is different from a beneficiary. An heir is someone who would have the right to inherit from you if you do not have a valid estate plan. Heirs are determined based on state law. You can view an heir as a sort of default setting.
9. Power of Attorney a. A power of attorney is a legal document in which you can name an agent to handle your affairs and make decisions for you. There is a financial power of attorney and a healthcare power of attorney. A power of attorney document is only valid while you are living. The power of attorney agent has no role in your estate after you pass. Estate planning is an important process so, you should consult an estate planning attorney to help guide you and help explain concepts that you do not deal with everyday but we do.
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE Webinar. If you have additional questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 573-4818 to schedule an appointment.
Sinclair Prosser Gasior Annapolis Headquarters office is now located at 183 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Suite 104.

06/25/2025

Perhaps you should consider a Charitable Trust....

You have spent decades working and building up your retirement account. You are trying to delay the time in which you are required to start taking distributions from that account. You are then trying to take the smallest amount of money out of that retirement account based on your life expectancy. You do this to try and pay less in income tax. You view your retirement account as a long-term safety net.
Naturally, you would want this same preservation mindset for the beneficiaries of your retirement account. However, under the SECURE Act and SECURE 2.0, most non-spouse beneficiaries must fully withdraw that retirement account within 10 years.
READ MORE

You have spent decades working and building up your retirement account. You are trying to delay the time in which you are required to start taking

06/12/2025

Bay Bridge Traffic Advisory

On Tuesday, June 17, at approximately 10 a.m., the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Maryland will be crossing the westbound span of the Bay Bridge. The right and center lanes (buffer lane) will be closed temporarily while runners make their way across the bridge. Minimal traffic delays are expected. Please use caution when traveling the bridge. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

For updates call 1-877-BAYSPAN (1-877-229-7726) or follow us on X at https://x.com/TheMDTA.

05/07/2025

Can divorce or separation impact your estate plan?

A divorce or separation can significantly impact the estate plan you put in place with your spouse. A divorce can impact beneficiary designations, asset distribution, and roles of individuals named in your documents like executors or trustees. It is critical that you update your estate plan as soon as the divorce is finalized and perhaps update a few of your documents prior to the final divorce decree. Be sure to meet your legal obligations to your spouse during the proceedings but also exercise as much control over your assets and decision-makers named in your documents as possible.
Learn More: https://spgasior.com/how-does-divorce-or-separation-impact-my-estate-plan/
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar (spgasior.com/seminars) . If you have questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 573-4818 to schedule an appointment. Sinclair Prosser Gasior Annapolis Headquarters office is now located at 183 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Suite 104.

A divorce or separation can significantly impact the estate plan you put in place with your spouse. A divorce can impact beneficiary designations, asset

05/02/2025

It's almost Graduation Time in Annapolis.
Click the link for the entire schedule.

Schedule of Events page for Commissioning Week at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Mar 25 06:50:51 EDT 2025.

05/02/2025

Does Your Young Family Need a Common Pot Trust?

Most people are familiar with how a Will or Trust usually provides for children’s inheritance. After parents pass, things are typically divided up equally between children into separate shares. But this may end up not being “fair” or not being exactly what you intended.
Instead, another way to pass on children’s inheritance is to use something called a Common Pot Trust.
Learn More: https://spgasior.com/common-pot-trusts-and-their-use-for-young-families/
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 573-4818 to schedule an appointment.
Sinclair Prosser Gasior Annapolis Headquarters office is now located at 183 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Suite 104

Most people are familiar with how a Will or Trust usually provides for children’s inheritance. After parents pass, things are typically divided up equally

04/24/2025

What is Title?
In short, title is the legal ownership of property. Someone who holds title to a piece of property, whether that is real property like land or intangible property such as a bank account, holding proper title designates that person as the legal owner of said property. How someone holds title is very important and signifies how they are able to then pass that property down through proper estate planning.
There are 4 basic ways in which property can be titled.
LEARN MORE: https://spgasior.com/title-how-do-you-own-your-property/

Join us for an upcoming FREE seminar (spgasior.com/seminars) to learn about titling and incorporating a trust into your estate plan. If you have questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 415-9900 to schedule an appointment.

In short, title is the legal ownership of property. Someone who holds title to a piece of property, whether that is real property like land or intangible

04/18/2025

How Long Does Estate Administration Take?

Estate Administration is often seen as a straightforward process: after someone passes away, the personal representative gathers assets, pays off debts, and distributes what’s left to the beneficiaries. However, many estates take far longer to settle than anticipated, leaving everyone involved frustrated. If you’re in charge of administering an estate, it’s important to understand why delays happen and what can be done to avoid them.
1. Probate Court Delays
Probate is the legal process through which a will is validated, and an estate is administered. Unfortunately, probate courts can be slow, especially in busy counties or during peak filing periods.
LEARN MORE https://spgasior.com/when-an-estate-administration-takes-longer-than-expected/

For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar (spgasior.com/seminars). If you have questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 573-4818 to schedule an appointment.

Estate Administration is often seen as a straightforward process: after someone passes away, the personal representative gathers assets, pays off debts,

04/12/2025

How Do I Handle Their Homeowners Insurance After My Loved One Passes Away?

There are many aspects that an executor must manage after the death of a loved one. And while you are grieving the loss, if there is a house, it is often one of the first places you visit and immediately start thinking...what are my responsibilities?
While it may be apparent that the utilities must be paid and the property secured, one item that often arises is how to handle the insurance.
LEARN MORE: https://spgasior.com/the-policy-of-handling-homeowners-insurance-after-death-2/
For more information, please join us for an upcoming FREE seminar (www.spgasior.com/seminars). If you have questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 573-4818 to schedule an appointment.

There are many aspects that an executor must manage after the death of a loved one. And while you are grieving the loss, if there is a house, it is often

04/05/2025

City of Annapolis and Annapolis Drum & Bugle Corps to host Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Festival on April 12, 2025

ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 24, 2025) — The City of Annapolis, in partnership with the Annapolis Drum & Bugle Corps., will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Festival on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 12 p.m. The parade will begin at the intersection of Amos Garrett Boulevard and West Street, traveling up West Street toward downtown. Participants will proceed clockwise around Church Circle (opposite the usual traffic flow), then exit left onto Northwest Street, followed by a left turn onto Calvert Street. The parade will conclude at People’s Park (Calvert at Clay Street), where the festival will be held from 1 to 4 p.m.

ROAD CLOSURES AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS: Please be alert to rolling road closures along the parade route starting a little before noon on Saturday. Please be alert to parking restrictions and “no parking” signs along the parade route and on Calvert Street on the day of the event.
PARKING: Paid public parking is available at City garages including: Park Place Garage (1 Park Place), Knighton Garage (1A Colonial Avenue), Gotts Court Garage (25 Calvert Street), and Hillman Garage (150 Gorman Street). The free Magenta Shuttle will operate between city garages and downtown throughout the day. To get to the festival, use the stop at West Street at Calvert Street (track the shuttle in real-time here: https://accessannapolis.transloc.com/).

The Parade will feature local bands, dance teams, community organizations, civic leaders, and cultural performers. Following the parade, festival-goers can enjoy food, entertainment, and vendors at People's Park.

This community tradition serves as a commemoration and celebration of the life, work, and enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Originally held in January, the parade was moved to April in 2019 to avoid winter weather delays, ensuring participants and spectators can gather safely and comfortably. Join us in honoring Dr. King's dream and legacy with a day filled with unity, reflection, and community celebration!

If you are interested in participating in the festival, follow the link for Vendor Registration.

04/04/2025

Common Myths About Estate Planning

As an estate planning law firm with nearly thirty years of experience, we see several common excuses for why clients delay getting an estate plan in place. Add changing laws at the state & federal level and the need to address your own mortality, it’s clear to see why many people delay in putting an estate plan in place. Here are four common myths debunked about estate planning, to help you get started on your estate plan journey today.
1) Estate planning is for the elderly.
Estate planning is an important process regardless of our age. In fact, estate planning should start at 18 when an individual becomes legally recognized as an adult. We recommend that all adults have a property power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, HIPAA authorization, living will, and either a will or revocable living trust.
LEARN MORE: https://spgasior.com/four-common-estate-planning-myths/
Visit spgasior.com/seminars to sign up for an upcoming FREE seminar. If you have questions or concerns about your estate plan, contact the experienced estate planning attorneys at Sinclair Prosser Gasior by calling (410) 573-4818 to schedule an appointment.
Sinclair Prosser Gasior Annapolis Headquarters office is now located at 183 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Suite 104.