Wills & Estate Planning
PA Inheritance Tax – How to Manage Tax Benefits
November 19, 2025
Requirements of a Trustee
September 27, 2025Pennsylvania Beneficiary & Trustee Requirements
Depending on the law and trust agreement, being a trustee requires monitoring the trust and providing updates of trust activity. Informing and reporting activity within a trust not only benefits the interests of the trust’s beneficiaries, but also helps with trustee liability. Make sure you and your family or business are prepared in the event of an unfortunate event.
The Effect of Joint Accounts on Estate Planning and Distribution
June 3, 2025Joint accounts can significantly influence estate planning and how assets are distributed after death. Ensuring that proper legal documents are in place can help protect your finances, save time, and reduce emotional stress for loved ones. Without proper preparation, an estate may go through probate—a legal process that can delay or even prevent intended distributions. In this overview, we’ll cover what a joint account is, how it can affect your estate, and strategies to help you plan more effectively for the future
Transferring Pennsylvania Car Title and Beneficiary Accounts After Death of a Loved One
January 15, 2025Understanding the Process
Losing a loved one and navigating all the legal aspects of transferring car titles and bank accounts can be overwhelming. This article aims to help you better understand the procedures for both and how to prepare yourself within the State of Pennsylvania.
If you’d like to discuss preparations for after your passing, talk to our wills & estate planning attorneys today.
Arbitration in Family Law Matters: How to Avoid Court & Why It Matters
November 5, 2024Unlike arbitration, courtrooms are typically where individuals turn when they face issues that cannot be resolved through other means. However, court proceedings can be time-consuming and costly, and they may not always adequately address your specific needs, intentions, or concerns. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to the court system known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes. The two primary options within ADR are mediation and arbitration.
BEQUESTS TO CHARITIES AND ENDOWMENTS
October 11, 2024Are you a non-profit seeking advice on an endowment you have been gifted? Or are you a person looking to give a portion or even all your assets to a charity once you pass? These prospects can lead to some questions. This article will outline how to handle receiving and leaving a bequest and/or endowment to continue your legacy.
Why Naming a Minor Child a Life Insurance Beneficiary is a Bad Idea
November 2, 2023Understanding Life Insurance Beneficiary Provisions
Life insurance companies cannot pay funds directly to a minor beneficiary. If your life insurance beneficiary is a minor when you die and you have not made any type of provisions for a custodian or guardian of the funds, the distribution of funds will be delayed because your County Court will be required to become involved in selecting and appointing a corporate or adult custodian or guardian to manage the funds on behalf of the minor.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN ESTATE PLANNING?
August 15, 2023
COMMON LAW MARRIAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA
July 18, 2023Common Law Benefits
Pennsylvania stopped recognizing Common Law Marriages as of January 1, 2005; however, if you had established a Common Law Marriage in Pennsylvania prior to that date, Pennsylvania Law preserves the validity of such marriages. An established Common Law Marriage may provide you with certain benefits such as spousal death benefits, Social Security surviving spouse benefits, or zero percent inheritance tax (as opposed to 15% for unrelated persons).
DIVORCE AND ESTATE PLANNING
March 14, 2023What You Need to Know During a Divorce
Many legal issues surround divorce, such as the determination of custody, support, and equitable distribution of marital property. In addition to all of this, there are often emotional issues. Updating an estate plan is generally at the bottom of your list, if it even makes the list, when you are going through a divorce. However, updating estate planning documents, such as a Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, Advanced Medical Directive (Living Will), and Revocable Trusts should be a top priority.