People in Pennsylvania who are creating an estate plan might want to donate a portion of the estate to charity. However, it is important that they do so in a way that is tax advantageous. Failing to do so is a common mistake. As an example, a person might have three...
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Estate Planning
Estate planning on a micro level
In addition to addressing inheritance issues, an estate plan can also be used to plan for the possibility of becoming incapacitated and to appoint a guardian for minor children. However, Pennsylvania parents may also want to think about making plans for the immediate...
Your children may need care before a guardian takes over
As a parent, you may have painstakingly considered many aspects of your children's lives and futures. While you certainly hope to be there for them every step of the way, you likely also understood from your first child's birth that a sudden accident could easily...
Estate planning can help prevent family feuds
When people in Pennsylvania pass away, family fights over inheritance can squander the value of the estates they leave behind. Planning to deal with hurt feelings and family drama can be an important part of preparing an estate plan on par with the writing of the...
Do I really need an estate plan as a new parent?
Now that you are a new parent, you probably have many people offering you advice. Family members and well-meaning friends may have strong opinions about car seats, feeding schedules, pediatricians and sleeping positions. Undoubtedly, there is some advice you...
The benefits of a special needs trust
Pennsylvania residents can think of a trust as a relationship between three entities. There's the donor, who puts the funds into the trust; the trustee, who looks after the assets in the trust; and the beneficiary, who benefits from the assets in the trust. With that...
Divorce may necessitate estate planning revision
Pennsylvania couples who are getting divorced sometimes overlook a key item on the separation to-do list: updating their estate plans. Spouses are often named as beneficiaries of life insurance policies and in wills. These documents should be updated to reflect that...
The importance of reviewing beneficiary designations
When a Pennsylvania resident gets divorced, they should consider changing the beneficiary on their life insurance policy. If an ex-spouse is still listed as the beneficiary, they may be entitled to any death benefit associated with that policy. However, this may not...
Protecting the future with estate planning documents
A survey conducted by Wells Fargo found that many Americans do not have critical estate planning documents put in place. In fact, the data shows that as many as 40 percent of older people in Pennsylvania may not have the documents they need to protect themselves and...
Passing on valuable collectibles in your estate plan
Traditionally families build net worth through the accumulation of currency and property, but many individuals, whether they're aware of it or not, also own rare collectibles that can be worth a lot of money. Passing on these items to heirs doesn't cross the mind of...