Pennsylvania Estate Planning

Few people want the government to determine what happens to their assets when they die or what medical treatment they will receive if they become terminally ill and are unable to make decision for themselves. Without proper estate planning — the absence of a Will or other appropriate document — that is exactly what will occur. Even more troubling is how often parents neglect to designate a guardian for their children.

With blended and non-traditional families, the issues are even more complex and the outcome more uncertain in the absence of well-advised estate planning. Couples who live in blended families or non-traditional relationships have unique lifetime and estate planning issues that can be addressed properly only through well-thought out and drafted agreements and estate planning documents. Failure to address these special issues is a recipe for family dissension and costly litigation and, more importantly, the possibility that your wishes will not be achieved.

Based in Abington, Berlinger & Small assists individuals and families plan their estates so they know their affairs are in order. Wills (or other appropriate documents), Powers of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directives, and, where appropriate, Cohabitation agreements:

  • Spare your family and loved ones the confusion of asset division
    during a painful time.
  • Keep your survivors out of costly litigation.
  • Reduce or eliminate probate and other taxes to which estates are
    particularly vulnerable.
  • Determine who and where the assets of your estate go.
  • Allow you to decide who will be raise your minor children.
  • Assure your healthcare wishes are carried out.

Berlinger & Small provides comprehensive estate plans for their Pennsylvania clients including:

  • Wills
  • Trusts for famliy members and friends, including special needs trusts and insurance trusts
  • Business Succession plans
  • Advanced Healthcare Directives (Living Wills)
  • Power of Attorneys
  • Elder Law Planning
  • Charitable Gifts

Your estate is too important to trust to anyone other than an experienced estates lawyer. If you have not planned for your estate, you risk harming those you love. Contact an estate lawyer whose advice you can trust – one that will make certain that your final wishes are respected. The attorneys at Berlinger & Small are here to provide for your estate planning and probate law needs.

If you need legal advice call Berlinger & Small at (215) 366-2405.