Do Not Wait Until It Is Too Late. Plan For Your Estate Today.
No matter what size your family estate is, your success and legacy are worth valuing and protecting. The estate planning attorneys of Evey Black Attorneys LLC have been helping our friends and neighbors throughout Central Pennsylvania with a complete range of estate planning and probate services for more than 70 years.
Estate planning can include a variety of tools, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills or advance health care directives. Most estate plans include some combination of these and are tailored to suit your and your family’s specific needs. It is important to the estate planning lawyers of Evey Black Attorneys LLC that you understand your estate plan and that it makes sense to you. Conversely, failure to have an estate plan often places your loved ones in a precarious position, having to pick up the pieces that you have left behind.
Our lawyers understand the needs of families in this region because we are natives of this region. We consider you our neighbors, and we believe helping our neighbors is one of our primary duties as lawyers.
Home visits can be arranged at clients’ request for wills, powers of attorney and living wills.
Are You The Parent Of A Small Child?
Many young parents make the mistake of overlooking the importance of having a legal will in place. Your testamentary will is not just about who receives what from your home. You can also use your will to establish who should raise your children in the event of your early death and who handles the money to care for them.
Having a will, durable power of attorney and an advance health care directive regarding your medical treatment will resolve the tough issues and decisions that often are left surrounding minor age children when parents die unexpectedly early. Your children deserve the best future. That means planning for even the worst.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning In Pennsylvania
When considering your future and protecting your assets, it is important to understand how estate planning works, even if you do not have substantial wealth. The following FAQs address common concerns in Pennsylvania regarding estate planning.
Do I need an estate plan if I do not have a large estate?
Even if your estate is modest, an estate plan in Pennsylvania helps ensure your wishes are carried out and can prevent unnecessary complications for your loved ones. An estate plan can:
- Specify asset distribution to avoid disputes among heirs.
- Name guardians for minor children or dependents if necessary.
- Address health care decisions through powers of attorney or living wills.
Creating an estate plan provides peace of mind, helps ensure your decisions are honored and can help reduce legal challenges for your family in the future. Consulting a Pennsylvania estate planning attorney can ensure your documents are properly drafted and legally binding.
Do beneficiary designations override my will in Pennsylvania?
Yes, in most cases, beneficiary designations take precedence over your will. Assets named with beneficiaries will generally pass directly to the designated individual, regardless of what your will states. They include:
- Life insurance policies
- Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA)
- Payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts
It is crucial to regularly review these designations to confirm that they align with your overall estate plan and current wishes. A qualified attorney can help you coordinate your will and beneficiary designations to prevent conflicts.
How does nursing home planning fit into estate planning in Pennsylvania?
Nursing home planning is an essential component of Pennsylvania estate planning, especially for older adults or those with long-term care needs. Proper planning can:
- Protect assets from being depleted by nursing home costs
- Qualify you for Medicaid while preserving family resources
- Help ensure you have a say in your medical care and living arrangements
Integrating nursing home planning into your estate plan helps protect your finances, ensures your care preferences are respected and reduces stress on your family. Working with an experienced estate planning attorney can help create a strategy that addresses long-term care while preserving your legacy.
When You Are Ready To Plan For The Future, We Are Here
It’s never too early or too late to start protecting your family’s future. Contact our offices in Hollidaysburg or Roaring Spring to discuss your estate and probate law needs with an attorney from our estate planning group. Reach our phone lines at 814-317-6914.