Serving
With Compassion
Most people want to leave assets that they’ve worked hard to accumulate during their life to their loved ones and other beneficiaries like non-profit organizations when they die. Careful estate planning allows people to determine what happens to those assets. What if...
People often think of a will as an absolutely final document that can dictate exactly what they want their heirs to do with their possessions. If they change their mind on something or make any other decision later in life, they can just add that to the will, and...
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...
The person responsible for administering an estate in Pennsylvania is an executor, a term often used interchangeably with the phrase "personal representative." This person is generally selected by a testator when they draft their will. The court may appoint someone to...
When parents are asked whether or not they have a favorite child, the natural answer is, "No. I love them all equally." But is this true? Just like people feel a special kind of chemistry with certain friends, co-workers and other family members, it is also possible...
One of the most important things you can do as you’re developing your estate plan is to make sure that all your accounts have transfer on death (TOD) designations with the beneficiaries of the accounts listed. This includes your bank accounts, retirement accounts and...
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...