Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyer

It may not be an easy subject to breach, but death is inevitable. Nobody wants to confront their mortality, but planning for the moment we meet death can make the process easier for our loved ones. Our survivors will be forced to make decisions and take over responsibilities during some of their most emotional times. Thankfully, we can make the process of handling our final affairs easier for our loved ones by taking the time to plan for our passing while we are still alive.

Estate planning is not just for the elderly­. At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., we believe that everyone should think about what will happen after they pass. Our attorneys can work with you to create an estate plan that works for you and ensure that your family and friends understand your wishes.

Types of Estate Planning and Administration Services Our Lawyers Help With

The skilled attorneys with Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C. analyze the needs and goals of every client to assist them with estate planning and administration matters such as:

Wills

A will is the most valuable tool you can have to preserve your assets and provide for your family’s future needs after you have passed. However, wills need to be drafted by a legal professional to prevent your loved ones from having to go through emotional and costly disputes. Should a dispute still arise, your estate planning attorney can work to resolve the issue while safeguarding the protection of your interests.

Probate Administration

Probate is the process of executing estate planning documents such as wills and trusts after death. These proceedings can be overwhelming for survivors due to the sheer amount of work they necessitate. When you partner with Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C., we will take the burden off your shoulders. Our experienced Pennsylvania attorneys can handle all of the crucial legal details involved in probate administration and verify that the wishes of your loved one are fulfilled.

Trusts

Depending on your unique circumstances and goals, setting up a trust could be advantageous. Trusts can be used to protect your loved ones or the assets they would inherit from you. Our attorneys can set up various trusts, such as:

• Living trusts
• Asset protection trusts
• Qualified terminable interest property (Q-tip) trusts
• Revocable trusts
• Testamentary trusts

If you need help establishing a trust, our Pennsylvania attorneys can help you meet your goals.

Powers of Attorney and Healthcare Directives

A power of attorney will empower a loved one to act on behalf of you when it comes to legal or business matters should you become unable to do so. Healthcare directives are the instructions provided to your trusted loved ones specifying your wishes concerning your medical care. If you want to have power over the medical decisions made on your behalf if you were to become incapacitated, an estate planning and administration lawyer can help you appoint a power of attorney or draft your healthcare directives.

Living Wills

Although many people opt to go on without a living will, they are invaluable for providing peace of mind and confirming that your wishes will remain held even when you can no longer make those decisions for yourself. We never know when we may experience an unforeseen medical impediment, but our attorneys can help you establish a living will to prepare for such an event.

Business Succession Planning

If you have worked to build a prosperous business, you should have a succession plan to ensure its continued success after your passing. Our estate planning and administration lawyers can help you appoint decisions regarding your business following your death, such as:

• Who will inherit your business
• Who will manage your business
• The tax consequences your successor will face

Our Pennsylvania attorneys have proficiency in business and tax laws as well as estate planning. This knowledge and experience allow us to see the bigger picture when advising families on the succession of their businesses.

Federal Estate Taxes

Unnecessary federal estate taxes can affect your loved ones after you pass away. At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C., we can help protect your family and friends by working to limit their tax load for matters such as:

• Revocable trusts
• Irrevocable trusts
• Life insurance trusts
• Marital bypass (AB) trusts
• Gifting
• Personal residence trust

Regardless of what the federal estate tax may be when you die, it is vital to prepare for all imaginable outcomes to limit the tax burden on your loved ones.

Inheritance Taxes

Pennsylvania’s inheritance taxes can strip a substantial chunk of an inheritance. Unlike the federal estate tax, the state does not have a minimum dollar amount for the estate to be taxed, so all estates are subject to taxation. Thankfully, the state’s portion can be limited through the use of wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents that can be completed with the help of a Pennsylvania estate planning and administration attorney.

Guardianship

It is not unusual for guardianship cases to involve heartbreaking circumstances. Guardianship cases involving children typically involve either parents that have passed away or parents no longer found to be fit to care for their children. Adult guardianship cases often include a family member who cannot care for themselves or make choices on their own. Our guardianship attorneys will handle your proceeding with the care and consideration it deserves.

Will Contests

Wills are not always accepted as is. When the time comes to execute the wishes in a will, a contest could arise if:

• The deceased was not of sound mind when the will was signed
• The decedent was under the undue influence of another when signing the will
• There is suspicion of executor fraud or trustee fraud

The Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C. estate planning and administration attorneys are equipped to handle any disputes over wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. They can help you reach a positive resolution to a will contest.

Special Needs Trusts

If you have special needs children or family members in your care, you should establish a plan for when you are gone, and they can no longer depend on you. Provisions for physical and psychological health care, distribution of inheritance, and maintaining their eligibility to receive government assistance can all be laid out in a special needs trust. Special needs trusts need to be set up correctly by an attorney to avoid issues with taxation and allocation of funds to your loved one.

Professional, Experienced Estate Planning and Estate Administration Attorneys in Pennsylvania

With over 65 years of legal experience, the estate planning and administration team at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. understand how essential it is to have a thorough plan documented for your estate. Our attorneys draft detailed estate documents to prevent any hiccups in their execution. Call us at (215) 822-7575 or complete our contact form today to set up a free consultation.