Estate planning

An estate plan answers two questions: who receives what you leave behind, and who can make decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself. Without a plan, Pennsylvania law answers those questions for you, and your family may need to go to court before they can act on your behalf.

What a plan usually includes

• Will: names who inherits, who serves as your executor, and who would care for your minor children.
• Revocable living trust: holds your assets during your life and passes them to your beneficiaries privately, often without probate.
• Financial power of attorney: lets someone you trust manage your finances if you become unable to.
• Health care power of attorney and living will: names who makes medical decisions for you and records your wishes about end-of-life care.
• Beneficiary designation review: makes sure retirement accounts, life insurance, and other accounts pass the way the rest of your plan intends.

Who needs a plan

Parents of young children, homeowners, anyone with savings or retirement accounts, blended families, and business owners all benefit from a plan. An existing plan should be reviewed after a marriage, divorce, new child or grandchild, move to Pennsylvania, or significant change in your finances.

How I help

We start with a free video consultation about your family and goals. I recommend the documents that fit, explain each one in plain English, and draft your plan. We sign in person at a location convenient for you, and I’m available afterward whenever life changes and your plan should too.

Common questions

Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?

It depends on your assets, your family, and how much you value privacy and avoiding probate. Many people are well served by a will; others benefit from a trust. I’ll explain the tradeoffs for your situation.

What happens if I die without a will in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws decide who inherits, which may not match what you would have chosen, and someone must be appointed to administer your estate. A will lets you make those decisions yourself.