In Pennsylvania, beneficiary designations on accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and life insurance policies determine who receives those assets, even if your will says something different. These accounts pass by contract, not through probate, and the financial institution must follow the most recent beneficiary form on file.
Many families are...
Losing a parent is hard enough without unexpected legal questions. If you’re sorting through your parent’s documents and come across a handwritten will, you may be wondering—does this actually count? Can you submit it to probate? And what happens if it isn’t valid?
We’ll walk you through what Pennsylvania...
This is one of the most common questions that is asked of estate planning attorneys here in Pennsylvania. Many people think that they can cover everything they need for their heirs with a basic will, foregoing the complexities that are addressed in comprehensive estate planning. However, unless you are someone who has...
If you are like most people here in Pennsylvania, you are going to be concerned about providing for your loved ones after you are gone. This is why estate planning is so crucial. You are going to want to make sure your estate has been set up in such a way that...
In the event that a decedent has a valid will in place, the will proceeds through the probate process and, eventually, the assets of the estate are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the will. Sometimes, however, the validity of a will is questioned. In this case, a person...
Did you know that the validity of a will can be contested? Will contests can be a big headache for all involved and can create serious delays in probate proceedings. Many times, family members who may feel slighted by the contents of a will may bring a contest when the contents...
