Some people die without a last will or estate plan, leading the Pennsylvania probate courts to divide up their property. However, sometimes even those who have planned their estates will have their assets go through probate after they die. If someone in your family...
Do you need to leave an heir $1 to prevent them from contesting the will?
Disinheriting an heir is the act of leaving them nothing in your estate plan. However, some people opt to leave that heir a single dollar. They may even think that they need to do this. The trouble is that a disinherited heir who is simply not mentioned in the will...
Which factors may slow down the probate process?
How the probate process unfolds may vary depending on the jurisdiction, but there’s one thing for sure: It won’t be fast. Understanding what factors can affect how long the process takes can help you better prepare (and avoid some unnecessary delays). Factors that...
6 reasons why estate planning is important to you and your family
No one really wants to think about their own death or getting so sick or injured that they can't take care of themselves. The natural aversion to thinking about those unpleasant situations can lead to procrastination. Failing to sit down and make a plan is arguably...
What happens to your property when you die without a last will?
Most people put off writing a will on the assumption that they will have a chance to make these important decisions in the future. While that may be true in many cases, there is never a guarantee. Even those who are quite healthy and come from families with notable...
What rookie mistakes do first-time Pennsylvania executors often make?
Many proactive individuals handle their estate planning early on in adulthood. One aspect of drafting their will is that the testator must select a personal representative or executor, to handle their estate, including the probate process. A personal representative...
There is no standard estate plan: Customize your options
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...
