Estate planning helps to organize everything for when you are no longer here. It is a way to ensure that your loved ones carry out your wishes properly. One of the most important aspects of estate planning is creating a will. It is helpful in a variety of ways during...
Wills & Estates
Should I add a codicil to my will or write a new will?
Given how life changes in many ways over the years, you should make your last will and testament as current as possible. Since these shifts in your circumstances can be substantial or minor, you may wonder if adding a codicil is the best way to modify your will....
What are the first steps executors should take?
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...
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...