Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states with an inheritance tax. This is a tax on inherited assets. An inheritance tax is different from an estate tax. While there is a federal estate tax, Pennsylvania itself doesn’t have one. Estate taxes are paid by the estate,...
Probate can be quite complex and time-consuming, and it gets even more complicated when the deceased owns property or assets in more than one state. That’s when something called “ancillary” probate comes into play. How ancillary probate differs from regular probate...
Business succession planning is about an organization’s leadership thinking ahead to be sure that the business has the talent and experience in reserve that it may need to replace a key role, sometimes on short notice. After all, people change jobs frequently in the...
While you are still recovering from your recent Thanksgiving meal, it is important to continue thinking of your loved ones as the holiday season continues to move forward. While it may be difficult conversations to have, this time of year is a great opportunity to...
One of the main reasons Pennsylvanians create estate plans is to ensure that their property goes where they want it to go after they are gone. A will and other estate planning documents are meant to reflect the final wishes of the testator. However, life changes, and...
With numerous online resources at your disposal, it may seem easy to create your own estate plan. Although creating one of these plans may seem simple, we discourage you from engaging in do-it-yourself estate planning. Why? Simply put, navigating this process without...
When loved ones pass away in Pennsylvania it can be a difficult time in people’s lives. There is certainly a mourning period that people go through as they start their lives without the loved one’s love and support in their lives. However, while families are going...
One of the principal reasons for making a will in Pennsylvania is to avoid conflict among potential heirs by resolving all questions about the distribution of assets. Unfortunately, even a carefully drafted will may offend certain family members who thought they would...
People often put off thoughts of future planning in the event that something might happen to them. Taking steps to ensure that your assets go where you want them to can make a lot of sense, though, if you want to help secure a financial future for your loved ones....
When it comes to estate planning, there are many different options available to achieve the results you want. Some options will be more or less important to different people and at different times during their lives. A power of attorney is a tool which can be useful...