You may have seen by now that there are plenty of places online that offer estate planning documents and do-it-yourself options. While some of these might be helpful, the truth is that they aren’t all they’re made out to be. Most people will find that these estate...
Do you understand what testamentary capacity is?
A Pennsylvania personal representative must take care of many responsibilities after a testator's passing. One is to file their will with the local probate court. One of the next steps that a personal representative must take is to notify any potential heirs of the...
Should you consider an uneven inheritance to make things fair?
As a parent with multiple children, you probably have unique relationships with each of your kids. No matter how carefully you try to treat them with the same amount of compassion and give them access to the same resources, your kids will invariably grow into very...
How long does it take to receive assets from a loved one’s estate?
When a loved one dies, their property and assets essentially get frozen until the executor in charge of their estate begins to distribute the property. Unless you are a co-owner of an asset or a cosigner on an account, you will not have the right to use or access...
When to review and update your estate plan
It’s dangerous to assume that the original estate plan you create can remain unchanged for the rest of your life. Throughout your life, it’s critical to review your estate plan for changes and then take action as necessary. Here are some of the times when you must...
What you must know about life insurance and estate planning
A life insurance policy may be a major part of your estate and the way you hope to provide for your family in the future. Your goal is to pass that money on to your heirs to provide financial assistance and options even long after you can no longer do so in person. ...
Why might someone challenge a will?
The creation of a will can provide families peace of mind and protect a loved one’s assets from unnecessary losses or unwanted distribution. Though, not every estate plan is perfect and some would-be heirs may challenge a will for multiple reasons. Undue influence by...
Your estate plan after divorce: 5 things to revise
While a divorce might seem like the end of one chapter of your life and the beginning of another, it is wise for individuals to examine all aspects of the end of the relationship. For example, many married couples will make all financial decisions as a team. Now that...
Does an executor have to pay taxes on behalf of the deceased?
Those entrusted with the management or administration of someone’s estate have many obligations that they must fulfill in their role. Reviewing the last will or estate plan and providing the necessary documentation to the probate courts is one such obligation....
What is the process of gaining adult guardianship in Pennsylvania?
Your father always has been the doer in the family, the one who took care of everyone else’s needs before his own. But as he’s getting older, you’re noticing that the things he used to do routinely, like going to the doctor or taking his medicine or handling his own...
