Most people in Pennsylvania who sit down to craft a comprehensive estate plan usually have several goals in mind, but one stands out: make things as easy as possible on your family and beneficiaries. After all, one of the main points of an estate plan is to lay out a...
Create an effective financial power of attorney
Everyone should plan for the possibility that they may be unable to handle their financial affairs because of an incapacity such as illness, injury or age. A financial power of attorney is an important part of estate planning to deal with this contingency, but it must...
Giving to charity in your estate plan
When many people are planning their Last Will and estate, their main goal is to ensure that they pass on wealth and sentimental assets to their family members. This can certainly be a worthy goal, but it isn't necessarily the only use or purpose for estate planning....
Can I have my old will back?
Your will is an important piece of your estate plan. Executing a will takes time, thought and effort, and once it is in place, you can feel secure knowing your assets will go to the people you want. Sometimes life circumstances cause you to change the terms of your...
How do a special needs trust and an ABLE account differ?
Part of planning your estate involves organizing your assets and deciding how you will distribute them to your chosen beneficiaries. Sometimes this can be as straightforward as naming a beneficiary in your will, but in some cases it may take more careful planning. If...
What should people include in a basic estate plan?
As people plan for the future in Pittsburgh, they may not be thinking about their passing, but it is an important aspect of life that people should consider. People cannot take their property with them when they pass away. Without any estate plan, they have no...
Health care directives for disabled young adults
If you have a child with special needs, you are probably accustomed to taking them to medical appointments and making decisions about their care. But, after they reach age 18, you will no longer automatically have the legal authority to make those decisions under...
What requirements must a personal representative meet in Pennsylvania?
When you create your will, one of the first tasks is to choose the person you wish to serve as your personal representative or “Executor” (if male) and “Executrix” (if female). This person (or business) will oversee the administration of your estate. If you do not...
Can a new life circumstance automatically change my will?
Pennsylvanians are advised to create an estate plan to protect themselves and their loved ones. Many will opt for the simplest possible choice and create a will. While this is positive as it avoids dying intestate and leaving the property at the mercy of the law, it...
When is it time to modify an estate plan?
After you set up your estate plan, you may think you are done. A will may be meant to reflect your final wishes, but life changes over time and your estate plan should too. Milestones Estate plans should be subject to regular reviews to ensure they are current and...