probate

Avoiding Probate when Settling an Estate by Designating Beneficiaries

August 22, 2012

Three Types of Estate Assets a Beneficiary Can Protect From Probate One of the most common ways to help your beneficiaries avoid probate when settling an estate after your death is to name beneficiaries either for specific assets or your will in general. The process of naming death beneficiaries may be done within …

Choosing an Executor in Pennsylvania | Executor Compensation and Fees

May 29, 2012

By Dave Frees

Consider Compensation When Choosing an Executor in Pennsylvania When choosing an executor for your Pennsylvania estate, keep in mind that the executor is entitled to compensation for the work that they do on behalf of the administration of the estate. Executor Fees in PA Generally Include: 2.5% of the assets of the estate that …

Contesting a Will or Estate Plan | Pennsylvania Estate Planning

May 15, 2012

By Dave Frees

When Creating Your Will, Get Help to Avoid Contestation in Pennsylvania When you are creating a will, you might not be thinking about whether or not one of your beneficiaries will try to contest it, but the fact of the matter is that this happens quite often. Sometimes it’s a matter of a beneficiary …

Is It A “Probate Asset” Or Not?

September 12, 2011

By Dave Frees

The Answer May Not Always Be What You Expect Simply “Probate” means at death an estate (the deceased person’s property) is administered and supervised by the court, often called probate court. The court will make sure the Last Will is administered correctly and if there is no will state law is followed by a court …

Have You Ever Wondered “Do I Need A Will?” Apparently Yes.

April 20, 2009

By Dave Frees

Periodically clients ask “Do I even need a will?” And, you would expect a lawyer who drafts wills, and trusts, and asset protection plans in Pennsylvania to say yes. And, you should know, that I believe in the value of what I help people to do. And, I have seen many examples of little or …

Joint Accounts Can Have Unexpected Pitfalls

April 13, 2009

By Dave Frees

Joint bank accounts are often established by individuals with the hope of creating an account with one or more of the following benefits: probate avoidance, reduced inheritance taxes or as a convenient way to allow family member to write checks and pay bills. Unfortunately there are numerous Medicaid/Elder Law Planning, estate planning and asset protection …

Beneficiary Designation Disaster

March 11, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

One of the most frequently neglected parts of the estate planning process is the proper use of beneficiary designations on life insurance, IRA’s, 401k’s, annuities and other similar assets. Failure to properly prepare and update a beneficiary designation can significantly change the disposition of assets someone intends to be carried out by his or her …

How long does probate take?

February 25, 2009

By Douglas L. Kaune

The length of the probate process in Pennsylvania (PA) or other states varies greatly from estate to estate. The determining factors include the assets involved in the estate, the experience of the Executor/Administrator and counsel and the ease in dealing with the beneficiaries. Contrary to common belief, the process is rarely impacted by the actual …

What is probate?

February 18, 2009

By Dave Frees

Probate is the court oversight of the estate administration process after a person passes away. Only certain assets are considered probate in nature. Probate assets typically are those owned by the decedent in the decedent’s individual name without a beneficiary designated. The Executor, where there is a will, or Administrator, where there is no will, …

We Listen.

Avoiding Probate when Settling an Estate by Designating Beneficiaries

Choosing an Executor in Pennsylvania | Executor Compensation and Fees

Contesting a Will or Estate Plan | Pennsylvania Estate Planning

Is It A “Probate Asset” Or Not?

Have You Ever Wondered “Do I Need A Will?” Apparently Yes.

Joint Accounts Can Have Unexpected Pitfalls

Beneficiary Designation Disaster

How long does probate take?

What is probate?

Sophisticated, Responsive and Focused.