Pennsylvania Legal Blog

If you are curious about your future inheritance, you may not know how to approach the topic. Many families do not openly talk about finances or death. Estate planning and inheritances are often seen as taboo due to cultural discomfort. 

Even if it is an awkward conversation to have, it is an important one. If you do not have a basic understanding of your inheritance and the reasoning behind it, there may be serious family conflicts or probate litigation down the road. Here are a few tips to broach this topic. 

Most adults in the United States do not have estate plans; they assume any assets they have will pass on to their closest relatives with no issues. Those who do have plans in place may not be as protected as they think if they fail to update them when necessary. Whether one is going through the estate planning process or is tasked with the responsibility of closing out a loved one's estate in Pennsylvania, the one question just about everyone has is: Can probate be avoided?

Probate is necessary if a person lacks a will when he or she dies. It is also necessary to deal with issues surrounding certain assets and any claims made against the estate. There are a few ways to avoid probate, all of which have to be done before an estate needs to be administered.

The decision of whether to end a marriage or keep working on it can be a difficult one to make. Some problems can be worked through, while others, on the other hand, cannot. There are certain habits that may be exhibited by a spouse that nothing can change. If these habits exist in one's marriage, wanting a divorce is certainly understandable. What are these habits that may lead Pennsylvania residents to end their marriages?

According to an article, there are six specific habits that can contribute to the breakdown of a marriage. One or more of these habits may exist in a marriage. Obviously, every couple has their own unique issues. The six habits listed in the article are:

• Arguing over everything, big and small
• Holding grudges
• Failing to track finances
• Being jealous of one's partner
• Failing to include one's spouse in the decision-making process
• Avoiding confrontation

Anyone going through a divorce needs to be aware of the possibility of hidden assets. Many people like to think a partner would never hide assets. However, research has shown roughly 7.2 million Americans hide assets from a spouse during marriage. 

Therefore, spouses need to be aware of how partners most likely hide assets until after the divorce is final. You have a right to an equitable distribution of assets, so do not agree to anything until you have checked the following places.