Estate plans need to be reviewed – and potentially updated – regularly after they are created to make sure that they are current concerning the assets that a person owns and the goals they want to accomplish. Instead of updating the plan every one-to-three years, you...
Estate Administration & Probate
Minimize the cost of probating your estate with these steps
When Pennsylvania residents pass on, their dependents are often left to take care of their financial affairs. This is especially the case when the decedent dies unexpectedly. And if the decedent had no will in place, Pennsylvania intestate laws generally come into...
What happens to debts when a person passes away?
Many people carry debt throughout their lifetime. One question that sometimes comes up is what happens to those debts when a person dies. The answer is that it depends on several factors. The loved ones of a person who dies should understand a bit about what happens...
A deceased loved one left multiple wills. Now what?
Maybe you’d been gently nagging an older parent to get their estate plan in place – for them to at least draft a will. When they passed away suddenly, you were surprised to find not one will but two or even more in their files or elsewhere in their home. What should...
3 mistakes people make when estate planning
Estate planning is a process that all adults need to tackle. For example, everyone should have advanced medical directives in place in the event of an emergency and a plan for their possessions after they pass away, even if someone perceives the value of their estate...
What risks does a Pennsylvania executor have during probate?
The executor or personal representative of an estate takes on a lot of work when they accept their role. They have to handle probate court proceedings, resolve someone's financial obligations and hand out inherited assets to beneficiaries. They must set aside personal...
Could a simple addition to your will prevent a probate challenge?
Whether you want most of your property to go to your grandchildren instead of your children or hope to allocate resources to a charitable cause, you might anticipate that your family members will be unhappy about your estate plan. Those who feel upset about not...
Reduce the cost of probating your estate with these simple tips
Probate is the process of winding up the decedent’s estate, identifying their assets and designated beneficiaries, paying off debts and applicable taxes and distributing what is left according to their wishes or Pennsylvania intestacy laws. But as you probably know,...
Is there a way to avoid going through the probate process?
The last thing you want is for your loved ones to have to deal with lengthy, and often costly, probate court proceedings after you pass away. If you’ve bequeathed them gifts in your will, you want them to have what you’ve given them without any stress or difficult...
How do executors handle “problem” heirs?
As the executor of a loved one’s estate you understand that it’s your duty to secure their assets, handle the probate process and all that entails – but you didn’t count on having so many problems with the heirs. The loss of a loved one can trigger a lot of strong...