Family Law

• Guardianship
  We also provide a seminar through the St Mary’s County Board of Education Partners for Success. This seminar is held annually and assist parents of children with an IEP who have questions about guardianships or estate planning. Please contact the Partners for Success office if you are interested in attended. Our next seminar is scheduled for May 17, 2023 at the Board of Education headquarters. In the meantime, if you wish to talk to one of the attorneys in the office prior to this date, please call the office for an appointment.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  After graduating from Salisbury, Joann attended Georgetown University Law Center where she graduated in 1994 with a juris doctor degree.  She was a member of the American Criminal Law Review staff from 1992-1994.  While on that staff, she co-authored an article in the Eighth Survey of White Collar Crime – Conflicts of Interest, 30 Amer. Crim. Law Rev. 3, (Spring 1993).
• White Collar Crimes

Business and Corporate Law

• Business Disputes
  Robyn began working as a legal secretary for an attorney practicing in the areas of business law, civil litigation, estate planning, family law, personal injury, and real estate. She transitioned to a position predominantly preparing real estate closing packages for the same attorney. Subsequently, Robyn moved to another St. Mary’s County law firm as a real estate processor with a high volume of settlements; she handled residential purchases, refinances, and commercial loans.
• Business Transactions
  Commercial – The purchase of a commercial use property involves a well-drafted contract, competent title review and the settlement of the transaction.  Our office is well versed in commercial transactions and capable of helping a commercial purchaser or seller with their transaction.

Property Law

• Real Estate Transactions
  Purchasing or selling a home may be one of the largest financial transactions someone ever undertakes. Having an attorney to answer questions at settlement, to review your title, to be there in the event of a contract question; this allows some level of reassurance to the parties in a transaction. Joann Wood has over two decades of experience in residential real estate transactions which allows her to assist her clients through their closings.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  After a seven year hiatus, Robyn rejoined the workforce. She spent one year as a Technical Data Analyst for a government contractor, after which she returned to the legal profession. She worked three years for a firm in Waldorf which handled personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. During this time, she also returned to school to study Business Administration at the College of Southern Maryland.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  The Law Office of Joann M. Wood, L.L.C. provides professional, competent, and caring legal services to its clients during what may be some of the most difficult times they experience. Joann Wood, who has been practicing in the Southern Maryland area since 1994, practices primarily in the areas of real estate settlements and estate planning.
• Wills
• Trusts
  Revocable Living Trusts – Revocable living trusts are frequently drafted to assist clients who wish to avoid probate. These trusts are utilized to hold assets, allowing a client to transfer ownership of property and investments from their individual name to the ownership of the trust, so that upon the death of the client the trust can continue to own and manage the property – thereby avoiding probate. The trust must be funded to truly avoid probate. If funded, a trust can also provide property management in the event of incompetence or disability.
• Power of Attorney
  General power of attorney – These grant an individual authority to manage the financial affairs of another individual during their lifetime. This is a document that should be discussed with an attorney, to determine who you should appoint and whether you should place any limitations on the instrument.
• Probate

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  In both revocable living trusts and wills, a client can incorporate tax planning and trusts for minor beneficiaries or beneficiaries with special needs. If this is a concern for you, make sure you discuss this with your attorney.