Laura Thomas

Laura Thomas

Attorney and Owner, Legacy Legal Planning
  • Estate Planning, Probate, Tax Law
  • Maryland, Pennsylvania
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Biography

Laura Thomas is the owner of Legacy Legal Planning, LLC. She advises individuals, families and small business of their estate planning needs and tax needs. Laura takes extra care to accommodate her clients’ wishes, understanding that estate administration is often emotionally difficult, and that a well formed plan can be crucial to helping a family get through a challenging time. She is diligent in her drafting of wills, trusts, advance directives, powers of attorney, business formation agreements and transfer documents.

Laura is an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association Estate & Trust Section Council, the Howard County Estate Planning Council, and the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust and Estate Section. She is also a board member of the Howard County Conservancy.

Education
Villanova University School of Law
LL.M. (2016) | Taxation
Villanova University School of Law Logo
The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
J.D. (2011)
Activities: - President, Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity International - Treasurer, Health Law Society
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University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
B.A. (2006)
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Logo
Professional Experience
Attorney/Owner
Legacy Legal Planning, LLC
- Current
Attorney
Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny
-
Associate
Paley Rothman
-
Tax Consultant II
Comptroller of Maryland
-
Associate
Law Office of Jane Frankel Sims
-
Publications
Articles & Publications
State Advance Health Care Directive Toolkit - Maryland
Practical Law
Using and Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning
MSBA
State Advance Health Care Directive Toolkit - Maryland
Practical Law
State Advance Health Care Directive Toolkit - Maryland
Practical Law
Speaking Engagements
When the Owners Split: Divorce and Estate Planning Considerations for Married Owners of Closely-Held Companies, Real Property, Trust & Estate National CLE Conference, Washington, DC
American Bar Association
Building an operating company together while married can result in a large amount of stress on a couple and, in some circumstances, ultimately lead to a divorce. However, what happens to the company they built? This presentation will review several estate and divorce planning considerations for representing married couples who are owners of closely-held companies.
Modifying Irrevocable Trusts in Light of Maryland’s New Decanting Statute
Howard County Estate Planning Council
Maryland’s new trust decanting statute went into effect on October 1, 2023. Decanting could be a game-changer, but it may not always be the right option. Our industry panelists will review mechanisms for irrevocable trust modification including decanting, the use of nonjudicial settlement agreements, and judicial intervention, and will evaluate the utility of each approach.
Business Interests in Estate Planning and Administration
Maryland State Bar
Using and Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning
Maryland State Bar
Spoke and updated materials on trusts qualified to hold S Corporation Stock.
Using and Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning
Maryland State Bar
Presented on life insurance trusts.
Current Developments in Fiduciary Income Tax
DC Bar Association
Estate Planning and Gifting in MD after Federal Tax Reform
Maryland State Bar
Preparation of Estate Tax Returns
Maryland State Bar
Maryland Estate Tax Updates
Montgomery County Bar Association
Awards
“Rising Stars” (2013-2014, 2018-2024)
Maryland Super Lawyers
"Rising Stars"
Washington D.C. Super Lawyers
Professional Associations
American Bar Association
Real Property, Trust & Estate Section
- Current
Activities: - Membership Committee - Business Entities Committee
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Maryland State Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: - Estates & Trusts Section Council
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Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Maryland
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Pennsylvania
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Most estate planning is done on a flat fee basis. Other engagements are done on an hourly basis.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Probate
Probate Administration
Tax Law
Estate Tax Planning
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
Website
Legacy Legal Planning, LLC
Contact & Map
Legacy Legal Planning, LLC
10490 Little Patuxent Parkway
Suite 600
Columbia, MD 21044
Telephone: (240) 813-4885
Cell: (240) 813-4885
Fax: (301) 887-5670
Notice: By appointment only.