It is possible to keep in touch with your child subsequent to the termination of your parental rights and their adoption if all parties to the action, i.e. natural parents/relatives and adoptive parents, mutually agree. Act 101, which became law in 2010, authorizes post-adoption contact by agreement of all the parties. Specifically, a birth relative […]
To effectuate a legal name change, you will need to file a petition with your local civil court. A filing fee is due to the county at the time of filing as well as copies of your fingerprints which can be obtained at your local police department. A hearing on your request for name change […]
Medicaid is a need-based health care program that many older adults end up utilizing in the event of long-term care due to the expenses involved. Since Medicaid is need-based, there are limits on the amount of income and assets a party can have. An individual should plan ahead to make sure any countable assets and […]
Marital property is defined as assets or debts acquired during the marriage. Marital property is subject to equitable distribution between the parties as part of a divorce action. There is a process to acquire information on potential marital property if you are unsure of what assets and debts would comprise marital property in your case. […]
A living will or health care directive is a legal document concerning your intentions for medical care in the event you are incapacitated and unable to convey your wishes. The agent(s) you name would be responsible to make sure your wishes are carried out. It is a good idea to make sure your regular physicians […]
Adoption will establish all the legal rights, duties and responsibilities as exist for natural born children between the adoptee and the prospective parent(s). Those rights and duties include, but are not limited to, the right of the child to inherit through you and your family, the legal obligation to financially support the child, the right […]
Your will is a legal document that directs what should happen to your belongings at the time of your death. A will can generally be changed during your lifetime. A new will can be drafted if there are substantial changes to your wishes. A codicil can be used to supplement your initial will if you […]
It is necessary to disclose joint property owned in part by the decedent at the time of his death. Often, joint accounts will provide for the surviving account owner to retain the account, however, these accounts must still be disclosed for purposes of assessing any applicable inheritance tax. Pennsylvania assesses an inheritance tax of 4.5% […]
An inventory must be filed with the court in the course of administering an estate. This task would be the responsibility of the executor or administrator of the estate. The inventory should identify all probate assets of the decedent at the time of death. This may require some investigation by the executor/administrator. Ideally, the decedent […]
Chapter 21 of Title 20 outlines the order in which surviving relatives would inherit from a decedent. If the decedent was married and there is no surviving issue (child) or parent, the entire estate goes to the surviving spouse. If there is a surviving parent, the first $30,000 of the estate along with half of […]
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