Pennsylvania does apply a tax on assets passed through probate or intestacy. The amount of tax depends on the net value of the estate as well as the relationship of the beneficiaries to the decedent. The first step is to add up all the assets of the estate. The next step is to subtract permissible […]
The first step is to appear before the county surrogate to probate the will. The earliest you can initiate probate is after at least ten (10) days have passed since the date of death. The original will is required along with death certificate. You should also have an idea of the estimated value of the […]
Ancillary probate is the probate process that occurs in a different jurisdiction that the primary probate because the decedent owns real estate that is located outside of their state of residence. Ancillary probate may also be necessary to address tangible property that is registered and titled outside the home state, or livestock, oil, gas or […]
Careful estate planning may help people prevent inheritance disputes between their new spouses and their children from prior marriages upon their passing. It is fairly common for people in Pennsylvania to remarry after a divorce, and often, one or both spouses may have children from a previous relationship. While these blended families offer people new opportunities to […]
While administrating an estate is a lot of work, the process is usually straightforward. Nonetheless, executors/administrators sometimes made mistakes. The TOP FIVE common mistakes are listed below: 1. Not opening an estate right away When opening an estate, it is usually best to open an estate shortly after someone passes away. As time passes, it […]
While proper estate planning is essential, mistakes do happen. Below are the TOP FIVE some common mistakes: 1. Conflicts between legal documents Many clients do not realize that some property does not transfer through the estate. For example, a deed supersedes the will. In other words, if the deed is titled as joint tenants with […]
When you pass away, it is important to have a will in place so that your assets are distributed per your wishes. However, if you pass away without a valid will in place, your estate will be distributed pursuant to Pennsylvania intestacy rules. If you are married at the time of your passing, the following rules apply: […]
Careful estate planning may help people prevent inheritance disputes between their new spouses and their children from prior marriages upon their passing. It is fairly common for people in Pennsylvania to remarry after a divorce, and often, one or both spouses may have children from a previous relationship. While these blended families offer people new opportunities to […]
Pet owners who anticipate their pets outliving them should know the essential facts about pet trusts to be able to decide what is right for their situations. Estate planning in Pennsylvania involves a lot of different considerations, including drafting a will, selecting an estate administrator, planning for the probate process and setting up any trusts. […]
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