When contemplating the creation or update of a will, it is important to consider the potential impact of inheritance tax on your beneficiaries. In Pennsylvania, like in many states, there exists an inheritance tax that may apply to the assets you leave behind. By...
Estate Planning
A guide to estate planning for parents of special needs children
For parents of special needs children, ensuring their well-being and security is a top priority. One aspect that you should not overlook is estate planning. This process involves making arrangements to protect your child's financial future, healthcare and overall...
Estate and elder law mythbuster
Receiving long term care services means you’ll have to spend down all your money: FALSE - with the right planning, we can almost always save money for a long term care or disabled patient. Also, it’s never too late to try, even if you’re already on the doorstep or in...
Probate and estate FAQs
If I die without a will, will the state of Pennsylvania take my property? No, if you die without a will, or “intestate,” your property goes to your “heirs” under Pennsylvania law – your closest family relatives, but if you have no family relatives, your estate could...
Seven legal strategies to protect family, finances & your future
Life is a balance between living in the moment and planning ahead. We strive to be here now and be present and “mindful” (there’s a cool modern catchword), but also look into the future to organize and arrange our lives effectively. There’s a saying about planning:...
Qualities to look for in an estate executor
Writing out your estate plan is an essential step to take, whether you are a young adult just starting a family or you are approaching retirement age. The most basic component of an estate plan is your last will and testament, but writing a will entails making one...
Tips for leaving money to family members with trouble managing money
Estate planning is not always easy. When you have a loved one or family member who is irresponsible, unpredictable or untrustworthy about money, you may want to find ways to restrict their inheritance distribution. There are many different options for trust fund...
It’s easy to create a Testamentary Trust
Do you want to legally protect your family when you are gone, but are afraid that it will be a difficult and complicated effort? It’s easy to create a Testamentary Trust, a very effective and available estate planning tool to protect your loved ones and their future....
Myths About Death And Disability: Legal Edition
Wills and Estates Having a will means avoiding probate: It’s actually the opposite. Anything passing under will means it does go through probate, a legal/clerical paperwork process for the authorities to make sure that it estate is handled right. An inheritance most...
Which assets automatically bypass probate?
After your death, your assets may go through a process called probate. Unfortunately, probate can be tedious for your executor and family. However, in Pennsylvania, some assets automatically skip the probate process, and there are ways to ensure others avoid it. What...