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We strive to make the process of estate planning and estate administration as simple and straightforward as possible. At American Wills and Estates we speak to our clients in plain English, and we are sensitive to the fact that many of our clients are still grieving the loss of a loved one. Our number one goal is to put our clients at ease and to reassure them with competency and compassion in their times of need.


Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes

JAMES GANDOLFINI died on 6/13/2013 in Rome as the result of a Heart Attack.

ESTATE MISTAKE:

Tony Soprano might have been a wise guy, but the actor who played him might not have been too smart for not putting his estate into a trust. He left only 20 percent of his estate to his wife, who had an unlimited deduction as his spouse. So 80... Read More

Celebrity Estate Planning Mistakes

PAUL W. WALKER, IV

AGE: 40

DIED: 11/30/2013; Valencia, CA; Car Crash

ESTATE MISTAKE:

The "Fast & Furious" actor used a pour-over will to funnel his $25 million estate into a trust for his 15-year-old daughter. This arrangement makes the estate a public affair. He also failed to update his plan for 12 years, so it might not... Read More

Writing Your Own Last Will and Testament is Not a Good Idea

WHY A HANDWRITTEN WILL IS A VERY BAD IDEA

A handwritten Will is known as a holographic will and are typically valid provided they comply with a state’s statutory laws. Thus, the old adage that you could write your Will on a napkin and it would be perfectly legal. Legal? Perhaps. A good idea? Probably not. Many folks may like the idea saying... Read More

The Probate Estate Administration Process Doesn't Have to be Scary.

 

THE PROBATE PROCESS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY.

The probate process sounds intimidating, doesn’t it?  It sounds like you’re about to enter a world of paperwork and governmental red tape all while still being in the process of mourning the passing of a loved one. Well, even though it’s a process that may not occur at the best of times, it... Read More

3 Important Estate Planning Considerations for Our Aging Population

Here's a great little article highlighting 3 important estate planning considerations for our ever aging population.  Take a read.

Three crucial areas to discuss with your clients
Jul 5, 2016John M. Goralka | Trusts & Estates

In the United States, we’re all living longer—at least, I plan to do so if at all possible. Today, men... Read More

Protecting Digital Assets

PROTECTING DIGITAL ASSETS:

6 Important Steps to Take on Death or Incapacity

It used to be enough for a fiduciary and his attorney to simply search through a decedent’s or incapacitated person’s papers in his or her workplace and at home, watch the mailbox for a 90 day cycle, and review tax returns and account statements. Things are more... Read More

EVERYONE NEEDS BASIC ESTATE PLANNING

If you assume that you don’t have any assets, you could be making the mistake of skipping out on an estate plan entirely. An estate plan is one of the most important collections of documents that you will have and there are many reasons why.

Every person has an estate with very few exceptions.  Even a young child who has a custodial account in his... Read More

The Duties and Obligations that await the Executor

So you've been named as an Executor.  It's an honor, but it's also a job.  I came across this very interesting blog that lays out the duties and responsibilities that await an Executor and the many pitfalls that need to be avoided.

Do You Really Want to be an Executor?

By Charles Wagner and Rachael Kwan | Blogs, Estate Law, Executors / Trustees |... Read More

Estate Planning is Important at Any Age

There’s a tendency to think that Estate Planning in Pennsylvania is only for those at or near retirement age. This is based on the premise that estate planning is only for outlining what happens to your belongings after you pass away, but it’s just as important that you plan for your life as it is your death.

A sudden disability, illness, or... Read More

Another Celebrity Estate Planning Failure

Another celebrity faulty estate planning nightmare is in the works. How can someone be worth millions of dollars and not have done a Last Will and Testament at some point. This should be a cautionary tale for all of you out there who keep procrastinating about having a basic estate plan prepared. At our law firm, we have been assisting clients throughout... Read More

Basic Estate Planning Documents Explained

ESTATE PLANNING GRAPHIC BREAKDOWN

Most basic estate plans consist of a Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney and a Living Will.  Here's a handy little graphic that we've put together that provides a simple breakdown and description of what each of these documents is and how they can work together to give your family the peace of mind that having and effective estate plan can... Read More
Proudly addressing all of our clients Probate and Estate Planning Needs for over 25 Years

2018 Resolution: Give Your Estate Plan A Checkup

1. Anticipate a time when you may not be able to think or act for yourself. Rapid advancements in medical science and healthcare may enable us all to live longer, fuller lives, but the flip side to that is that many more of us are likely, at some point in our lives, to suffer from a diminished mental state–a harsh reality that’s often difficult to accept.  ... Read More
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