How will you protect your spouse and children when you are gone or unable to make important decisions? If you are in the Harrisburg, PA area, the Johnson Duffie law firm can provide sound advice to guide you through these complex legal issues.
An experienced Johnson Duffie estate planning attorney can provide various essential legal services:
We can tailor estate planning in Harrisburg, PA, to meet each client’s unique requirements. By working closely with our clients, we offer the peace of mind that both their wishes and the needs of their loved ones will be met in the future.
Our estate planning law firm near Harrisburg also provides comprehensive estate administration services. We work closely with fiduciaries to guide them through the complex maze of rules and regulations that govern the administration of estates, guardianships and trusts.
It is important to be prepared for end-of-life matters. The attorneys at Johnson Duffie have over 100 years of experience assisting clients when it comes time to draft a Will, which is one of the most important things a person can do to protect the future of his or her estate. Wills can create a trust for minors, distribute property, name a guardian for your minor children, create a special needs trust for a disabled beneficiary, and minimize death tax.
A trust is a relationship in which a trustee holds property or assets for a third party known as a beneficiary. Trusts can specify the appropriate distribution of the assets to the beneficiaries. When a person has a trust, they may be able to avoid the probate process when the time comes to distribute assets. This planning can save a family time, money, and court fees.
Probate is the legal process that occurs after an individual’s death. An individual’s estate can go through the probate process if he or she dies with or without a valid Will. If the decedent dies with a Will, the estate can pass through probate, and assets can be distributed according to the terms outlined in the Will. Conversely, if a decedent dies without a Will, the law will dictate how the decedent’s estate assets will be distributed.
When an individual dies, an estate may need to be opened and the process of estate administration will begin. If the decedent dies with a Will, he or she is said to have died “testate.” Within the Will, the decedent would have appointed an executor. This executor holds the responsibility of carrying out the decedent’s wishes as referenced in his or her Will.
The executor must also pay the decedent’s debts and file accurate tax returns, including the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return and the Federal estate tax return, both of which are due within nine months of the decedent’s date of death.
Many people work hard to accumulate assets they wish to pass to their loved ones when the time comes. A Johnson Duffie Harrisburg estate planning lawyer will help you put measures in place to safeguard these assets and ensure their distribution complies with your wishes.
Your attorney will work closely with you to implement the most practical and cost-effective asset protection tools and strategies for your situation. Regardless of how much your property is worth, you will have more peace of mind knowing you are taking a proactive approach to protecting the fruits of your labor.
There may come a time when you are unable to make a decision for yourself for any number of reasons. A Power of Attorney is an authorization that permits you to give another person the legal right to determine the direction in crucial areas like finances, health care and property transactions for you. The individual who is named to act on your behalf is known as the agent.
You should execute a power of attorney in the event you become unable to handle matters for yourself due to sickness or an injury, or if you will be away for an extended period of time.
When a loved one becomes incapacitated and can no longer make decisions for themselves, it may be the responsibility of a family member to make decisions for them. It is of the utmost importance that an individual creates an advance healthcare directive to provide those family members with guidance in making those decisions. It is essential to retain the services of a qualified estate planning attorney who can guide you through creating an advance healthcare directive.
Planning for life as you age or helping to plan the future of your elderly loved one is a very important process. When individuals have a plan in place for their future or a loved one’s, they can feel at ease and relieved that they have prepared for uncertainty. Planning for the future can seem very daunting, so it can be of great value to seek the help of an attorney who can help with your elder law needs, such as Medicaid and nursing home planning.
When a loved one passes away, his or her estate must be closed, all assets must be administered to beneficiaries, and any remaining debts must be paid. Sometimes, contentious disputes can arise between beneficiaries and the estate administrator or executor. It can be difficult to resolve these issues in accordance with the decedent’s wishes. During such a difficult time, it is a good idea to retain the services of an estate or trust litigation attorney.
When a loved one becomes incapacitated and has not created and implemented a plan for decision-making, he or she may need a guardian to assist with decision-making. A court will appoint someone to make financial and health care decisions for you.
Caring for a child or an adult with an intellectual or physical disability can be challenging. Your Harrisburg estate planning lawyer can create a legal plan to oversee the care of a special needs individual if you are no longer able to perform these duties. Specific areas can include coordinating care requirements, planning for transitional services and appointing guardians.
Non-traditional family relationships are increasingly common and often require innovative financial arrangements. It is important to consider these unique dynamics, including both heterosexual and homosexual relationships as well as stepparents and stepchildren, when executing your wishes in areas like health care and property division when planning your estate.
Life insurance is invaluable when providing financial security for your loved ones if you die and your income is no longer available. Your Harrisburg, PA, estate planning lawyer will provide legal guidance to ensure your life insurance policy’s proceeds are distributed correctly. We help resolve life insurance issues like beneficiary disputes and claim denials.
Our law firm’s reach extends beyond the immediate Harrisburg area. We also provide our estate planning services in these Pennsylvania counties:
Johnson Duffie is a full-service law firm that has provided reliable legal guidance since 1914. We have always believed that a hands-on approach to estate planning serves our clients’ best interests. Your Harrisburg, PA, estate attorney will collaborate with you to establish realistic expectations that often facilitate agreements while avoiding lengthy court proceedings.
Most clients appreciate our attentive approach to legal representation, which alleviates concerns about navigating the legal process. Our unwavering commitment to delivering superior client service, combined with our extensive track record of attaining successful outcomes, enables you to select our firm with complete confidence.
Clients in Pennsylvania choose the experienced attorneys at Johnson Duffie for their legal needs regarding estate planning and related matters. Our firm has been helping clients prepare for the future and resolve estates for more than a century. Contact Johnson Duffie and complete our estate planning questionnaire today.
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