Probate is the legal process of validating a deceased person's will, administering their estate and distributing assets to beneficiaries per the instructions left behind. While it sounds pretty straightforward, this court-controlled process is not always smooth...
Estate planning is beneficial for the average individual, but most people don't create a will, trust or other estate documents for their own needs. Instead, it will be concern for their spouse, children or other close loved ones that motivates them to put together a...
Choosing the right executor can make all the difference if you have a will that contains your final wishes. This is the person responsible for managing your estate and ensuring that your will is implemented to the letter. While many may assume that choosing an...
Many people believe their estate will have to go through probate when they die. But that's not necessarily true. You have several options if you want to keep your assets out of probate altogether. What is probate? Probate is the court-supervised process of validating...
An estate plan is a way for someone to protect their closest loved ones when they have no power to take any other actions. The guardian that someone names in their estate plan is one of the most important protections that the parent or guardian of a minor child can...
Many people shy away from the creation of powers of attorney, largely because they dislike the idea of giving someone else authority over their lives. A medical power of attorney effectively authorizes someone else to make choices about what treatment you receive if...
Reviewing and potentially updating your estate plan is crucial whenever you have a significant life event. Marriage and divorce are two such life events, and both nearly always warrant some significant revisions. If you’re divorced and preparing to remarry, it’s...
Whether you are a designated personal representative or trying to handle your relative’s estate on your own, chances are, you will have to undergo probate in Pennsylvania. It is a process that intimidates a lot of people, but you can take steps to prepare for probate...
You love your family and want to know that your estate plan, as well as theirs, are all working to benefit the people around you. Good discussions about estate planning help everyone stay informed and get on the same page when someone passes away. Here are three...
Traditionally, estate planning was viewed as something that only applied to wealthy individuals. However, there is a lot more to estate planning than money. With the appropriate documents, you can set in motion provisions that ensure your family is protected and your...
