In the time right after a parent dies, you may find yourself struggling with being the executor of an estate. Learning about this process can help you handle any stressful moments and stay focused on what is important. By starting out with a clear plan of what you...
Wills & Estates
Minimizing disputes among loved ones after passing
After a loved one passes away, the grief can be overwhelming, and disputes among family members can make a difficult time even more challenging. Often, these disputes revolve around the division of assets, interpreting the deceased's wishes or determining who should...
Manage your financial and medical needs with powers of attorney
If an accident or illness left you incapacitated, how would you manage your medical and financial needs? If you add powers of attorney (POAs) to your estate planning tools, you and your family can enjoy peace of mind in the years ahead. The medical POA Also known as...
Disinheriting a loved one without a legal fight
One of the most common reasons why people contest a will following their loved one’s death is being disinherited. If you leave someone out of your will, they may contest it on the belief that it was an error. This often leads to significant delays in the probate...
How do you include proceeds from a retirement account in your will?
It is possible to leave the money remaining in a retirement account to your heirs after you die. However, you must handle these proceeds differently than other property and assets you might own. Retirement accounts allow you to designate a beneficiary when you are...
2 ways to help avoid inheritance disputes among siblings
Many people working on their Pennsylvania estate plans have similar goals in mind. If you are working on yours, you may, like many others, be looking for ways to maximize how much you leave behind for your children. However, depending on the specifics of your family...
What should you know about powers of attorney for health care?
If young and in good health, you like others may not see the need for a power of attorney for health care. However, should a serious and sudden illness or injury leave you incapacitated, you might not have the ability to speak and make choices for yourself. To put the...
How do I choose the right executor for my estate?
One of the goals of estate planning is to avoid family drama. The period of time after your death is likely to be extremely emotional for your family. The last thing that anybody needs is to fight over the estate. Your choice of executor is one of many actions you can...
Using life insurance to protect your heirs from your debt
It is natural to worry about making sure your family inherits from you. Unfortunately, many people struggle with debt. Whether you have medical debt, student debt or an outstanding mortgage, you do not want your family to lose out on an inheritance because of money...
When and why you should update your estate plan
A Pennsylvania estate plan is a live document, not something to create, then forget. To do the job you want it to, you must update it periodically. If your estate plan is more than three years old, you should review it and make necessary changes. According to...