Category Archives: Estate Planning
Common Mistakes Made with Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is an important part of many estate plans. A power of attorney allows you to designate a person you trust to manage your healthcare and financial matters if you ever become incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes many people make with powers of… Read More »
What Estate Planning Documents Do You Need?
Estate planning requires a number of legal documents. The documents you should create will depend on your own personal situation and wishes. Below, our Carbon County estate planning lawyer outlines a few of the most important estate planning documents to draft, as well as their uses and benefits. A Will Wills are one of… Read More »
How to Avoid Probate in Pennsylvania
Probate is a court-supervised process that happens after someone passes away. During the probate process, the estate of the deceased is opened. The property within the estate is then analyzed, creditors can make claims to recover debt, and assets are distributed to beneficiaries. While sometimes necessary, probate is a lengthy process and it can… Read More »
When Should You Review Your Will?
Drafting your will is a very responsible thing to do. However, you should not simply create your will, store it, and forget about it. Your will dictates how your property is distributed after you pass away. It can also serve other important purposes, such as outlining a guardian for your minor children. Generally speaking,… Read More »
Create a Special Needs Trust via Your Will in Pennsylvania
If you have a loved one with special needs, you may want to include provisions in your will that include financial support for that person after your passing. However, when an individual enjoys public assistance and benefits because of a disabling medical condition, there are financial factors for eligibility. You could disqualify your family… Read More »
FAQs About Creditor Claims in Pennsylvania Probate Cases
Creditors have rights with respect to the amounts due from a debtor, and these are not extinguished by the passing of the person who owed money. Upon death, an individual may owe on credit accounts, utilities, a mortgage, and many other bills. As such, as part of the key tasks of an estate administrator… Read More »
Will My Heirs Have to Pay Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax?
A common question we get from estate planning clients is, “Will my estate have to pay a ‘death tax’?” This usually refers to the estate tax, which is a levy on your right to transfer property upon your death. For most Carbon County, Pennsylvania, residents, the estate tax is not something they need to… Read More »
Tips for Talking to Your Parents About Estate Planning
Your parents were always around to help you grow and learn as a child, and there may come a time when you need to return the favor by talking to them about estate planning in Pennsylvania. Many people are well-aware of the importance of making arrangements for incapacity and death, but the statistics indicate… Read More »
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 »
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 »
