Gettysburg Estate Planning Attorneys Helping Plan For The Future

At Wolfe, Rice & Quinn, LLC, many clients come to us with concerns about the future financial well-being of their spouse and children when they are gone.

Our estate law work is in three main areas:

• Wills and other critical documents, including powers of attorney, health care directives and trusts. We work with clients to provide the most effective estate planning documents given the client’s unique financial situation. There is no greater gift you can give your loved ones than an effective estate plan.
• Elder law, including long-term care planning. We can help you with Medicare planning and nursing home cost concerns.
• Probate and estate administration. We do not charge clients a percentage of an estate, but we instead base our services on an hourly rate. As a result, we work with the estate representative to efficiently allocate the estate administration tasks between the client and the lawyer to help save the estate money.

Affordably Resolving Estate Issues

It is a good feeling to have exercised the foresight to put into workable order the financial details that would otherwise overwhelm your family and loved ones.

In probate matters, the approach of the lawyers at Wolfe, Rice & Quinn, LLC, is always to protect your assets from unnecessary expenses, to minimize or avoid federal and state taxes, and to ensure that your assets go to the people you intend, under the conditions that you establish.

Estate Planning FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more clarity on estate planning in Pennsylvania:

What is estate planning, and why is it important?

Estate planning is the process of organizing and managing your assets to help ensure they are distributed according to your wishes after your death.

Estate planning is crucial because it helps avoid legal complications, minimizes taxes and can ensure your loved ones are taken care of according to your wishes.

What documents are essential for a comprehensive estate plan?

A comprehensive estate plan includes:

• Last will and testament: It specifies how your assets will be distributed and names guardians for minor children.
• Trusts: Used to manage and distribute assets, offering control and potential tax benefits.
• Power of attorney: Designates someone to manage your financial affairs if you become incapacitated.
• Health care power of attorney and living will: It appoints someone to make health care decisions on your behalf and outlines your medical treatment preferences.

An estate planning attorney can help get these documents in order, allowing you to make modifications as circumstances change.

Do I need a will if I have a small estate?

Yes, you do. Even for small estates, having a will allows you to have your wishes respected in your absence and may simplify the probate process.

Without a will, Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your preferences.

What are the benefits of setting up a trust?

Setting up a trust offers several benefits, including:

• Avoiding probate
• Control over assets
• Tax benefits

By working with our estate planning attorney, we can help you understand the process and ease your financial concerns.

How does probate and estate administration work in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, probate is the legal process of validating a will and administering the deceased’s estate. The process is simple:

• The executor files the will with the register of wills in the county where the decedent resided.
• Then, the court appoints the executor named in the will to manage the estate.
• The executor must inventory and appraise the estate’s assets and pay existing debts, including taxes.
• After debts and taxes are paid, the remaining assets are distributed to the beneficiaries as specified in the will.

Effective estate planning helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, reduces the burden on your loved ones and minimizes legal complications.

Contact An Attorney Today

To discuss your unique estate situation, contact the Gettysburg estate planning attorneys at Wolfe, Rice & Quinn, LLC, by email or call us at 717-253-9182. Our clients live here in Gettysburg, across Adams County and in nearby Hanover.