When someone passes away, the person who is in charge of the estate is known as the estate executor. This person is also sometimes called a personal representative or an estate administrator. Regardless of the specific title that you’ve been assigned, if this is your...
As a beneficiary of an estate, you could be wondering how long the probate process will last. However, there is no definite answer to your question. A lot happens before an estate is distributed to the beneficiaries, and hiccups at any step can lengthen the time it...
You’ll find that the statistics make it clear that most American adults don’t have an estate plan. This may seem curious, considering the fact that everyone will eventually need one. As it turns out, there are numerous reasons why people neglect to do their estate...
Many Pennsylvania beneficiaries and executors come to find out that they have one thing in common when a testator dies. In many cases, this is their first time being involved in the probate process. Most of them don't know what to expect. If most people know something...
There are two approaches to probate, proactive and reactive. It is common to procrastinate things that we know we should do, especially when the subject matter is as uncomfortable as death. For this reason, many people procrastinate reviewing their estate plan and can...
The probate process is one that ensures that all of your debts are paid and the legal titles of your assets are passed on to the correct beneficiaries and heirs. Probate is essentially designed to start the estate administration process. If you name an executor in...
As you begin the estate planning process, you may be unsure whether your family would be best served by a will or a trust. Generally, a will and a trust serve different purposes, but both can be extremely beneficial. Many Pennsylvania residents discover that they need...
No one wants to think about their eventual death, but it is necessary to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of and your assets are protected. If you are in the beginning stages of estate planning, one of your first steps should be to create a will. For your...
Some past posts of ours have discussed the importance of revising estate plans after a divorce or a new marriage. It makes sense to change the beneficiaries of a will, especially if a primary beneficiary was an ex-spouse. It also helps newly married parents plan for...
After a person dies, decisions must be made regarding the person's assets. "Probate" is the name for the legal process for determining the fate of much of a deceased person's assets. Probate happens regardless of whether the decedent had a will or not. If a decedent...