Category Archives: Estate Planning
How to Protect Digital Assets in Your Estate Plan
When most people think of creating an estate plan, they may automatically think of including instructions for how their physical property is divided after they pass away. This property typically includes real estate, vehicles, and bank accounts. However, there is another type of asset that is becoming more and more prevalent today, and those… Read More »
How to Talk to Your Family About Your Will
Creating a will is a great step in planning for the future and making sure all family members are taken care of once you are no longer here. However, a will isn’t something that should be discovered after the death, and talking about it in advance can help save family fights. It could even… Read More »
What Should I Include in My Living Will?
Many people confuse living wills with wills, but the two are very different. A will dictates who will take guardianship of your children upon your death and divides your estate. Living wills on the other hand, include directions for your health care in the event that you become incapacitated and cannot make those decisions… Read More »
The Do’s and Don’ts of Estate Planning
Whether you are rich or just comfortable, old or young, you need an estate plan. Even though some people may not think they have an estate, everyone does. That means everyone also needs an estate plan. An estate planning attorney can walk you through the different steps and make sure your estate plan is… Read More »
Are Handwritten Wills Legal in Pennsylvania?
A will is an important tool that can assist in planning your estate and administering it after your death. Many people know this and still, they don’t have a will. These individuals often wonder if a handwritten will is considered legal in Pennsylvania. They may want to handwrite a will because they don’t think… Read More »
Naming an Executor? Know the Restrictions in Pennsylvania
When creating a will in Pennsylvania, one of the most important aspects is who you name as your executor. Sometimes, an executor is referred to as a ‘personal representative’. Upon your death, the executor will protect your property until the debts and associated taxes have been paid. Once that has been done, the property… Read More »
FAQs About Wills in Pennsylvania
A will tells the Pennsylvania courts who your beneficiaries are, or who you want to receive your assets upon your death. It also resolves personal matters, such as who will get custody of your children if there isn’t another surviving parent and the child is a minor. When considering making a will, many people… Read More »
Estate Planning and Divorce
During a divorce, there’s a lot to think about. You have to consider terms such as child custody, child support, and property division. Typically, estate planning is not top of mind for divorcing couples. However, those getting a divorce should put more thought into this than they do. Some portions of an estate plan… Read More »
Do You Need a Lawyer to Write a Will?
It’s a question many people have when planning for the future and trying to ensure their affairs are in order. Do you really need a lawyer to write a will? Particularly in Pennsylvania, where even handwritten wills are considered legal? Won’t you save a great deal of money by doing it on your own?… Read More »
Understanding Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax
Recently AOL released a story titled “Best states to die in…for taxes,” outlining the states where it is most costly for loved ones left behind when someone passes away. The story focused largely on the inheritance tax, which applies in Pennsylvania as well as five other states. What is this inheritance tax? How much… Read More »