Estate Planning Attorneys In DuBois Providing Extensive Support

Have you ever considered starting an estate plan? If you haven’t, now is the time to make one. Estate planning is a legal tool that is perfect for all kinds of households, regardless of wealth, age or asset size. This set of legal documents helps in preserving your legacy and keeping your family protected.

Hopkins Heltzel LLP offers legal services to help clients secure their futures. Since 2004, our team of litigators has dedicated itself to addressing the unique challenges of every family in DuBois, Pennsylvania, specifically Clearfiled, Elf and Jefferson counties. We take the time to listen and understand your needs, so we can develop a solutions that address them.

What Is Estate Planning And Why Does It Matter?

Estate planning can appear intimidating because it deals with serious family situations that can occur after your death. Thinking about it sounds sad and feels heavy, but this set of plans serves as your final act of love for your family.

Your estate plan covers multiple aspects of your household. It serves as the answers that your family needs when they face difficult decisions in splitting the furniture or paying your leftover debts. By making decisions as early as now, you don’t leave your family guessing or facing stressful court battles later.

An estate plan includes more than just a will. It addresses these vital matters:

Which beneficiary will receive your home, sentimental items and vehicles?
Who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated?
Who will make medical decisions for you if you cannot do so?
Who will look after your children if they are still minors upon your passing?

It can feel overwhelming to think about, but the process itself isn’t complicated when you have the right attorney walking you through it. At Hopkins Heltzel LLP, we are here to guide you every step of the way. From drafting legal documents to naming an executor, you can expect us to deliver what you want. Whether your situation calls for a basic, straightforward will or more complex trust arrangements, we tailor everything to fit your exact life.

What Happens If You Don’t Have An Estate Plan?

Leaving your future to chance can sound easier in the moment, but the reality of doing nothing often means giving up total control over your life and your legacy. If you don’t make these decisions for yourself, Pennsylvania law and a local judge will make them for you.

Without an estate plan, these events can occur after you pass away or face a medical crisis:

Intestate succession: Pennsylvania law determines exactly who gets your assets, regardless of what you would have wanted.
Court-appointed guardians: The courts appoint the guardian who will raise your minor children, which can be detrimental to their growth.
Loss of time and money: Your estate may face a lengthy probate process that can cost equal to your estate’s value.
Family conflict: Your loved ones can face tough discussions that raise tension and potentially ruin relationships due to the lack of clear guidance.
Medical and financial deadlock: A court may appoint someone to manage your finances and medical decisions upon your incapacitation, even if your spouse or adult child is ready to help.

Planning for the future can address the worst possible situations that can arise. We can help you take the next step and build a plan that protects the people you love most.

The Services We Offer At Hopkins Heltzel LLP

Our attorneys have experience in helping clients build their estate plans into a fortified directive. When you work with us, we will help you in handling these:

Wills, Powers Of Attorney And Healthcare Directives (Living Wills)

We prepare wills, powers of attorney and healthcare directives for only $25. Get expert legal advice for a fee less than internet services.

Guardianships

We assist clients in obtaining the guardianship of their loved ones, so you may assume the responsibility of caring for someone who is physically or mentally unable or incapable of taking care of themselves.

Trust And Probate Administration

We assist clients grieving the death of a family member by providing trust and probate administration services, estate distribution, trust division upon the death of a spouse, trust funding, trust amendments, and gift and estate tax return preparation.

Trusts And Probate Litigation

We assist clients who have been wrongfully denied their rightful share in a decedent’s estate by representing them in contested matters, including will contests and probate and trust litigation arising from incapacity, undue influence, fraud, duress, breach of fiduciary obligations, failure to properly account for and mismanagement of estate assets.

Trusts

We assist clients in maintaining privacy and control of their estate while minimizing estate taxes and avoiding probate by setting up a customized estate plan that utilizes one or more of the following:

The revocable living trust (for single and married couples)
Credit shelter trusts
QTIP trust
Family limited partnerships
Pour-over wills
Limited Liability Companies
Powers of attorney
Charitable remainder and charitable lead trusts
Advance healthcare directives
Grantor retained annuity trusts
Special needs trusts
Qualified domestic trusts (QDOT)
Personal residence trusts
Qualified Sub-S trusts (QSST)

The plan you create now may need a few tweaks to adapt to your needs in the future. Should you need to update your documents, you can rely on us to provide support. Our goal is to ensure your plan does not miss a single aspect of your life, no matter how many times you would like to update it.

Your Partners In Securing A Protected Future For Your Family

In Pennsylvania, the laws surrounding estate planning and probate administration can be complex. Navigating this alone can be overwhelming, which leaves you prone to making mistakes in your estate plan.

Don’t leave your future to chance. However you need your estate plan to be, the attorneys at Hopkins Heltzel LLP can make it happen and ensure it complies with state law. Let us fight for the future you deserve. Send us a message or contact us at 814-299-5496 to arrange a free appointment at our DuBois office.