Western PA's Premier Estate Administration & Estate Planning Law Firm

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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.


PROBATE FEES

How to Hire and Estate Lawyer at the Best Price

HOW TO HIRE AN ESTATE LAWYER AT THE BEST PRICE

If you’ve recently lost a loved one and are faced with the task of serving as the Executor of their estate, you’re probably going to need to hire lawyer to guide you through the probate process.  The question is how do you find one that you’re comfortable with and how do you ensure that you’re getting one at... Read More

Estate Planning Procrastination: Top Reasons People Give for not Having an Estate Plan

ESTATE PLANNING PROCRASTINATION: THE TOP REASONS PEOPLE GIVE FOR NOT HAVING AN ESTATE PLAN IN PLACE

 

I’M TOO BUSY AND I’M NOT PLANNING ON DYING TOMORROW

This is my personal favorite and the one I hear most often.  To be fair, it’s somewhat understandable because I know we all live very hectic and busy lives.  Let’s face it, sitting down to... Read More

Probate & Trusts

WHAT HAPPENS IN PROBATE?

WHAT HAPPENS IN PROBATE?

1. A LOVED ONE HAS DIED, NOW WHAT?
Following the death of a loved one, your first and only priority should be on the family and allowing everyone impacted sufficient time to grieve. The administration of the loved one’s estate is important, but should only be addressed when the family as a whole is ready to do so. If your... Read More

What's the Difference Between an Executor and an Administrator

Executor? Executrix? Administrator? Administratrix? You’ve heard the terms and you know they have something to do with someone’s death, but what do the folks serving in these roles really do?

Basically each of these terms is simply making reference to the person who is going to be overseeing the administration of a deceased person’s estate.... Read More

FINDING A TRUSTED PROBATE ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ATTORNEY

FINDING A TRUSTED PROBATE ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ATTORNEY

If you’ve recently lost a loved one and have been named to serve as the Executor or Personal Representative of their estate what should you do? Well, first and foremost, take enough time to allow both yourself and the rest of the family to grieve. Too often we see folks in a rush to get the... Read More

PROBATE ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

HOW TO FIND A QUALIFIED PROBATE ATTORNEY

HOW TO PICK A PROBATE LAWYER

If you’ve recently lost a loved one and find yourself tasked with being the Executor or Administrator the estate, you probably have a lot of questions. There are many, many attorneys out there, but who can you trust and how do you find someone that you feel comfortable working with. A good starting point is to conduct an... Read More

Thinking About Hiring a Probate Attorney? Here's What to Ask.

Here's a great little video that sets forth some very important things to consider when hiring a Probate estate administration attorney.  Remember, doing your homework now can save you a lot of time, expensive and unnecessary grief and aggravation later.  Take a look.

http://videos.lawinfo.com/probate/top-5-things-to-look-for-in-a-probate-attorne.... Read More

ESTATE PLANNING

Why Estate Planning is very Important

Great article and video on why having and estate plan in place is so vitally important. Take a look.

 

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/23/no-estate-plan-you-are-making-a-costly-mistake.html

Common Misconceptions About Probate Estate Administration

Most folks typically don’t know a whole lot about the laws of Probate Estate Administration. They may know that it has something to do with what happens after a loved one dies, but not a whole lot beyond that. However, it’s a very good idea to educate yourself on at least some of the basics that are involved. Here are some of the more common... Read More

Probate and Estate Planning: We're Here to Help

Pennsylvania Probate and Estate Planning We’re Here to Help

Probate and Estate Planning Attorneys in Pittsburgh, PA.

Proudly Serving Western Pennsylvania

Topic: Wills, Estate Planning & Probate

Having a well drafted Last Will and Testament can go along ways toward eliminating many contentious and problematic issues that... Read More

Estate Planning

Is Your Revocable Living Trust Actually Going to Avoid Probate?

IS YOUR REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST ACTUALLY GOING TO AVOID PROBATE?

So you’ve gone to the time and expense of creating a Revocable Living Trust. The real question now is whether or not your fancy new trust is actually going to effectively avoid probate for your family after your death. Probate is the formal court process that is necessitated when... Read More

Probate Doesn't Have To Be Scary

NO NEED TO BE AFRAID OF PROBATE

You’ve probably heard people say a million times: It’s best to keep your family’s assets out of probate.  While I agree that’s it’s often a good idea to limit or minimize the effect that the probate estate administration process may have on your assets after your death, it’s still important to keep in mind that in... Read More

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