As many of you know Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Ms. Franklin will be known as a legend and the “Queen of Soul” for years to come, but she will also be known as one of the celebrities who never set up a will or trust. […]
Do All of My Assets Pass through My Will?
A Last Will and Testament is an important document to have in place. Two of the most important purposes of a Will are to name who you want to receive your assets when you pass away (your beneficiaries) and who you want to administer your estate when you die (your Executor). However, a common misconception […]
Disinheriting your Spouse – Can it be Done in Pennsylvania?
A question that comes up more frequently than one may expect in our practice is: can I disinherit my spouse. The simple answer to that question is No, you cannot just disinherit your spouse but you can sure try… Although technically you cannot disinherit your spouse under Pennsylvania law, you can always try to leave […]
This New Year: Plan to Protect Your Future
As the New Year begins, many people resolve to do some things they know they should do, but have put off. In various years past I have vowed to lose weight, get organized, save more, spend more time with my family, eat healthier foods, and get more exercise. In truth, these are pretty much continuing […]
What Should I Know If I am Named as an Executor in a Will?
Your loved one lets you know that you are named as the Executor in their Will. Now what? Until the person that named you passes away, rest assured there is nothing that needs to be done with the Will. However, it is understandable, especially if you are a planner like me, that you would want […]
The Evolution of the Wilner Case and Two Witness Rule
In 2014 a colleague wrote about a PA Superior Court decision where the court’s application of the two witness rule led to a less than favorable result. The decision was given in the case of in re the Estate of Isabel Wilner. My colleague wrote that he was not sure he had ever seen a […]
Does a Will Need Witnesses to be Valid?
Like many estate planning questions the answer is not as simple as yes or no; but more along the lines of “it depends.” While the law varies from state to state, in Pennsylvania a will usually only has to meet two basic requirements: 1) It must be in writing and 2) it must be signed […]