Federal Estate Tax Legislation Explained
It's only a matter of time before the proposed federal estate tax legislation takes effect on estate planning strategies. You'll probably not have read the 881 pages of the legislation or the House Budget Committee's Report by January 1, 2022, when all the confusion...
How Can Parents Provide for Their Children?
Every parent should consider what legal documents can protect their children if tragedy strikes – and parents die or become incapacitated. Parents in Berks County should review their estate planning needs with an experienced lawyer as soon as their children are born....
What is Estate Planning and Why is it Important?
For many who think estates are for the rich and famous, they may be surprised to learn that they actually have one too. When you consider the possessions you own, such as a home, vehicles, expensive silverware set, or work tools from your construction business, you...
Same-Sex Marriages, Domestic Partnerships, and Civil Unions in the US
Same-sex Marriages, Domestic Partnerships, and Civil Unions: Interchangeable or Distinct? The ways of living that we've been accustomed to over the years are constantly changing. One area of impactful change is marriages. In the US today, what's classified as a legal...
Estate Planning for Blended Families in Pennsylvania
Getting married and starting a new life with your spouse is a challenging undertaking filled with love, joy, frustration, and compromise. Unfortunately, when couples with children from previous relationships tie the knot, the possibility for conflicting goals and...
LGBTQ Estate Planning Concerns You Need to Consider
Planning for your estate in Pennsylvania is an important step that every family should consider to protect their assets and legacy for their loved ones. The critical nature of this future planning is even more crucial for same-sex couples and LGBTQ families despite...
What Is the Difference Between an Executor and a Trustee?
After death, many rely on a will or trust to administer our estate according to our wishes. If you have agreed to act as an executor or trustee or just learned you were chosen for this role, you may have many questions about what these terms mean and the...
What is the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?
In Pennsylvania, wills and trusts serve as essential estate planning tools with a similar purpose of providing how an estate should be distributed when the owner dies. Despite having this common goal, they offer different advantages and are treated differently under...
What is the Probate Process Like in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses a legal process known as probate to settle the estate of someone who has passed away. Depending on the provisions within the decedent's estate plan, the circumstances of their death, and the type of assets involved, completing probate proceedings can...