Estate Planning

If you do nothing else to take care of your legal affairs, you should get a Will. If you don’t make a Will before your death, Pennsylvania law will determine who gets your property (and it may not go where you want it to go). Moreover, a judge may decide who will raise your children. If you create your own Will, you will be the one making these very important decisions.

A will is a written instrument containing directions for how the property of the person making the will shall be divided on his or her death. Generally, the Will must be signed by the testator and should be signed by at least two witnesses who have no interest in the property passing under it.

A person’s age, marital status, and financial holdings weigh heavily in the decision to draft a Will. In general, every adult should think about making a will, and the need grows as your assets and family ties increase. Wills are especially crucial for parents with children who are minors, since you can name a guardian in a Will and make arrangements for financial support of the children even past the age of 18.

The attorneys at Kaminsky, Thomas, Wharton, Lovette & Vigna will assist you in creating a properly executed Will, which conveys your wishes clearly and succinctly so that the persons you wish to receive your property upon your death actually receive it. The Will may be created as a standalone Will document or our firm will assist in the creation an overall Estate Plan, in which the Will will act in combination with other estate planning mechanisms to ensure that the maximum amount of your estate possible goes to your beneficiaries.

Trusts are estate-planning mechanisms that usually supplement a Will. However, it may also be used to assist you in managing your property during your lifetime. A trust allows you to dictate who manages your assets and to whom and how your assets will be distributed. There are many reasons to create a trust, making this property distribution technique a popular choice for many people when creating an estate plan. An experienced attorney at Kaminsky, Thomas, Wharton, Lovette & Vigna will be able to explain these reasons to you and will be able to assist you in properly creating a trust that will achieve your purpose.

Also known as a living will, this document is a written statement which allows you to retain control over whether or not your life should be prolonged by the use of artificial means in a case where you are incompetent and have a terminal condition or are permanently unconscious. The statement tells your family and friends of your wishes and instructs your doctor and other health care providers whether or not to medically prolong the process of your dying or keep you in a state of permanent unconsciousness, with no hope of recovery. It is to be followed if you are unable to provide instructions at the time the medical decisions need to be made and allows you to authorize the withholding or withdrawal of all treatment and procedures. In order to sign the living will you must be of sound mind and at least 18 years of age, or who has graduated from high school or is married. Contact Kaminsky, Thomas, Wharton, Lovette & Vigna to assist you in creating an advanced health care declaration. HEALTH CARE POWER OF ATTORNEY A health care power of attorney is a written document authorizing someone you name as your agent to make health care decisions for you, in the event that you are unable to speak for yourself or make your own decisions. It is similar to a surrogate in a living will. However, it pertains to all medical situations, not only those involving terminal conditions or permanent unconsciousness. The document may also contain instructions or guidelines you want your agent to follow. A health care power of attorney is a form of durable power of attorney and must be properly written to authorize your agent to make health care decisions for you. You should consult with your attorney at Kaminsky, Thomas, Wharton, Lovette & Vigna as to the proper preparation of a health care power of attorney. While the use of an advance health care declaration is limited to decisions about life-sustaining procedures in the event of terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness, a health care power of attorney establishes a person to act as your agent in all health care decisions. Therefore, both documents are important in making sure your health care wishes are carried out in the event that you cannot speak to yourself.

Administration of estates involves collection of assets, payment of obligations such as debts and expenses and death tax preparation (federal and state) and filing, and distribution of property to heirs and beneficiaries.

If you are involved with a person who has died, make sure that their home is secure and nothing is lost or destroyed. In Pennsylvania other than a spouse, no one can enter a safe deposit box without arranging an inventory for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Shortly after the funeral, contact an attorney at Kaminsky, Thomas, Wharton & Lovette to discuss the decedent’s matters and estate.

Our attorneys will provide advice, determine whether administration will be required and explain what procedures will be involved. If there is a Last Will, the person named as executor should protect the original of it and give it to the attorney at the first meeting.

At the beginning, all assets of the estate, including personal possessions and real estate, are inventoried and sometimes physically gathered. All of the beneficiaries (if there is a will) or heirs (if there is no will) are located. They are told that they were named in the will or have a legal right to receive an inheritance. Funeral expenses, debts, state and federal taxes are paid, and necessary tax returns are filed.

Sometimes administration may involve the short-term management of a business or stock in a corporation. There could also be sale of real estate, which was owned by the deceased. At the conclusion of the administration period, a final accounting of all assets can be presented for approval to the county court or, in appropriate situations, to the beneficiaries for their informal approval and release. After approval, distribution of the balance of assets is accomplished.

An estate is administered by a personal representative. If there is a will, the personal representative named to serve is called the “executor.” If there is no will or if the executor cannot serve, the person who does serve is referred to as the “administrator.” The Register of Wills makes the appointment.

The personal representative works with the attorney in complying with necessary legal requirements.

If you have an appointment with an attorney at Kaminsky, Thomas, Wharton, Lovette & Vigna regarding Estate Administration, please download and complete the Probate Questionnaire so that you have all the information that will be necessary at the initial consultation.