Overview

Will Hellams focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, trust and probate administration, estate and trust litigation, taxation, business succession planning, and supplemental needs trusts in Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Will has an innate ability to make people feel comfortable thinking about and discussing sensitive subjects. He keeps the planning process moving forward to ensure his clients’ wishes are recorded while making sure their interests are protected.

Will regularly works with individuals, business owners, and families on estate planning strategies to reduce transfer taxation, protect and preserve assets, and facilitate the transfer of assets among family members. He also focuses on probate administration, estate and trust litigation, supplemental needs trust planning, and asset protection.

A major portion of Will’s practice includes advising personal representatives, corporate and individual trustees, and beneficiaries on all phases of the estate and trust administration process, including the preparation of fiduciary income tax returns and federal and state estate tax returns. He keeps the estate administration process moving efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible to provide the most benefit to beneficiaries of estates and trusts.

Will also has an active practice advising families with disabled family members, including preparation of supplemental needs trusts. In addition, Will is experienced in the areas of estate planning and administration for non-U.S. citizens, elder law, business succession planning, and tax controversy matters.

A frequent speaker on estate planning and administration issues, Will has given presentations to groups including the ABA, FDIC, local community groups, and professional organizations.

Will is an avid golfer and dedicated Clemson football fan (he attended the Tigers’s victory in the 2016 National Championship game). He also enjoys fly-fishing, having worked in Yellowstone National Park during the summers in college.

Honors and awards

• Listed as “Rising Star” by Maryland Super Lawyers, Estate Planning & Probate (2019)
• Listed as “Rising Star” by Washington, DC Super Lawyers, Estate Planning & Probate (2019)
• Named to Top Attorney List by Bethesda Magazine (2019)

Community involvement

• Leadership Montgomery (Emerging Leaders, 2016)
• Montgomery County Commission on Aging (Appointed by the County Executive 2012-2013)

Professional memberships

• Maryland State Bar Association
• District of Columbia Bar Association
• Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland (MANNA Food Project Volunteer 2012-present)
• American Bar Association (Tax Section Volunteer Income Tax Attorney)
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Young Attorneys Steering Committee 2011-2012)