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Western PA Estate Planning Lawyer

Every adult must plan for what will happen as they grow old, as well as what will happen after their death. A combination of legal documents can form an estate plan to help you to retain control over these matters.

We’ve found that most of our clients want a real plan for how to protect their finances, family, and legacy, as well as what will happen in the event of an untimely death, illness, or disability. Our Western PA estate planning lawyers could help you prepare the necessary documents to meet your specific needs and protect against unforeseen circumstances.

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Who Needs Estate Planning?

While some people until their later years to plan their estate, having a strong estate plan could benefit you now and in the future. Some common tools used by estate planning attorneys include:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Powers of attorney
  • Healthcare directives
  • Living wills
  • Life insurance policies

It is critical to remember that estate planning is about more than ensuring your assets are divided according to your wishes at the end of your life. A proper estate plan can also make your intentions clear if you are unable to make important healthcare or financial decisions during your lifetime.

If you already have an estate plan, it’s important to review and update it as you experience major life events, such as getting married or having children. A competent attorney in Western PA could help you develop or update an estate plan to ensure it is legally enforceable and serves your best interests.

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Getting Started

Your first step is to call our office to make an appointment or register for one of our free workshops. From there, we’ll explain our process for creating your customized estate plan.

Drafting a Last Will and Testament

Estate planning can help you ensure your final wishes are carried out after your passing, and a carefully drafted will can be a crucial estate planning tool. To execute a valid will, you must be 18 or older and of sound mind. In addition, two people must witness you signing the will for it to hold up in court.

When you do not draft a will according to the relevant guidelines, another party could challenge the validity of the document. Will challenges can be stressful for everyone involved, and they could potentially result in an outcome that does not comply with your final wishes. A Western PA estate planning attorney could help you avoid future will complications by ensuring your last will and testament meets the technical requirements under the law.

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Using Trusts to Avoid Probate

Probate is the court process that determines how most estates are divided upon a person’s death. While probate can be time-consuming and expensive, an estate planning attorney could provide tools like revocable living trusts to help you and your estate avoid this process entirely.

A revocable living trust takes legal ownership of your property during your lifetime. Then, when you pass away, a revocable living trust keeps assets out of your estate, making probate unnecessary.

A carefully planned trust could provide additional tax benefits on top of helping families avoid probate. Other types of trusts include irrevocable, spousal lifetime access, and special needs trusts. A legal professional with experience creating estate plans in Western PA could explain the difference between these options and help you create a trust that best suits your needs.

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9 Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid

IN YOUR ESTATE PLAN, YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY….

A well-written estate plan can ensure that a tragic death or illness doesn’t result in a financial tragedy as well.

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