Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Where Should You Store Your Will?
Creating a will provides enormous peace of mind. Should anything happen, you know who will inherit your estate and raise your minor children. However, a will is only effective if it is submitted to the probate court after your death. For this reason, you should spend some time making sure you identify a safe… Read More »
How to Protect Yourself Financially During Divorce
Most articles on divorce stress the emotional aspects of splitting from your spouse. Today we write about something different but equally as important: protecting yourself financially. Too many people end up in extreme financial distress during divorce. They get ambushed by their spouse or fail to plan properly, and financial ruin awaits just around… Read More »
Consequences When You Do Not Have a Power of Attorney
The last will and testament may be the cornerstone of estate planning, but there are many other documents to consider to protect your interests. Some are effective during your lifetime, offering a way to plan for incapacity. A durable power of attorney under Pennsylvania law is one option that addresses your real estate and… Read More »
Avoid These Mistakes with Pennsylvania Child Custody Agreements
Child custody can be a hotly disputed issue in divorce, and the issue does come up in connection with other family law cases when the parents were not married. However, many parents are able to overlook the differences between them to work out a parenting plan and agreement for custody. Through this agreement, you… Read More »
What are Grounds for Divorce in Pennsylvania?
Spouses may have many reasons for wanting to get a divorce, but you also need to have grounds for divorce in the legal sense. Every US state has requirements for what a party must state in their initial filings, including the justification for ending the marriage. Pennsylvania law lists grounds for divorce, and the… Read More »
How Pour Over Wills Work in Pennsylvania Estate Planning
Even when you know the basics about wills, you might not realize that there are different types that may serve your needs and support other estate planning goals. One option is a pour over will, which works in conjunction with a revocable living trust. Pennsylvania law on wills include provisions on who may create… Read More »
NOMINATE Kim Gillen for 2023 TIMES NEWS Readers’ Choice BEST!
NOMINATE Kim Gillen for 2023 TIMES NEWS Readers’ Choice BEST! Click the link below and nominate Kim today and every day through August 31st at midnight. You can nominate her once per day! If she finishes in the top 5 nominations she will move to the voting round! https://www.tnonline.com/20230511/readers-choice-2023/#/gallery/389499720 Share the excitement! Copy the above… Read More »
Assets That Do NOT Go Through Probate in Pennsylvania
When someone passes away, their final affairs go through a process called probate or estate administration as a way to bring closure to legal and financial matters. The person is no longer around to distribute assets, pay last bills and taxes, and handle other tasks, so Pennsylvania probate statutes provide a process for another… Read More »
NOMINATE Kim Gillen for 2023 TIMES NEWS Readers’ Choice BEST!
NOMINATE Kim Gillen for 2023 TIMES NEWS Readers’ Choice BEST! Click the link below and nominate Kim today and every day through July 25th at midnight. You can nominate her once per day! If she finishes in the top 5 nominations she will move to the voting round! https://www.tnonline.com/20230511/readers-choice-2023/#/gallery/389499720 Share the excitement! Copy the above… Read More »
Reasons for Child Dependency Proceedings in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania laws on protecting children are extensive because of the high priority society places on ensuring the safety and well-being of younger, vulnerable individuals. When there are concerns that a child could be without proper parental care, officials may file a petition for dependency under Pennsylvania law. The point is to determine whether there… Read More »
