If you have never made an estate plan, the process can seem intimidating. The more you understand about estate planning, the better equipped you may be as you begin the process. Here are several facts to know before you plan your estate: Fact 1: Dying without a will...
Estate Planning
3 mistakes that could compromise an estate plan
Estate planning is a crucial undertaking as it involves the careful organization and distribution of one's assets and affairs to ensure that a testator’s wishes are fulfilled and their loved ones are provided for after their passing. It encompasses a variety of legal...
What should you know about trusts in an estate plan?
Estate planning is a comprehensive process that helps you organize your assets and outline your wishes for the future. One tool that’s used is a trust. Trusts offer a wide range of benefits that can be instrumental in fulfilling your estate planning goals. A trust is...
Potential areas where probate issues could arise in Pennsylvania
It's almost impossible to avoid probate completely. This process is necessary to validate the will, pay off debts, settle any disputes from creditors or any other interested parties of the estate and oversee asset distribution. Preparing for probate could help you...
Dealing with safe deposit boxes in Pennsylvania
The death of a loved one in Pennsylvania may raise a whole host of financial issues. This is especially true when they have left many assets in a safe deposit box. If you have been named as the executor of an estate, you will have to navigate this problem. There are...
How to open a probate bank account
Functioning as the executor of an estate in Pennsylvania isn't always easy. There are a great many things to be held personally responsible for. There are many moving parts in an estate and a lot of people watching your every move. Each and every requirement that you...
Common mistakes when designating beneficiaries in Pennsylvania
When you are planning your estate in Pennsylvania, one of the most important decisions you will make is who should receive your assets after you die. This decision can be tricky, and there are a few things to avoid if you want to make sure your loved ones inherit what...
Defining beneficiaries
Any Pennsylvania resident taking part in estate planning may soon become familiar with the term beneficiary. A beneficiary commonly refers to someone who receives assets or gains benefits, as would be the case with probating a will or accessing a trust. Beneficiaries...
Choosing the right trust for your estate planning needs
Estate planning is something that can benefit virtually every family in Pennsylvania, and while, for many, that statement may bring to mind the topic of wills, it is equally important to investigate the concept of establishing a trust. Doing so can help alleviate the...
Joint tenancies and incapacity planning in Pennsylvania
Incapacity planning is a critical part of estate planning for Pennsylvania residents because it allows you to make arrangements for what will happen to your property and assets if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. Joint tenancy is one option that you...