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

Power of Attorneys

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.


Estate Planning Doesn't Have to be Complicated

I think a lot of folks put off doing their estate planning because, let’s face it, no one really wants to dwell on their own mortality.  That being said, the other biggest reason for such procrastination is probably the fear that it is going to be a complicated and expensive matter to pursue.

The reality is that, for the vast majority of us, our estate planning needs... Read More

Power of Attorneys are Extremely Important, But Make Sure You Understand What You Are Signing

A well drafted Durable Power of Attorney is an extremely important part of most of our clients overall estate plans, but make sure you understand the significance of the power that you will be granting. This article that appeared in the N.Y. Times does a nice job of explaining the importance of these documents, but also how they can lead to fraud and abuse if given to the... Read More

Common Estate Planning Mistakes by NFL Players

Learn From These 6 Estate Planning Mistakes of NFL Players In honor of the Big Game, this article explains six of the estate planning mistakes that NFL players commonly make. While not everyone will earn as much as an NFL star, the average American can still benefit from avoiding these mistakes in their own lives.

1. Living in the present, instead of planning for the... Read More

Probate Costs & Estate Attorney Fees

Probate Estate Administration & Estate Planning at the Right Price

Your #1 Source for Wills, Power of Attorneys, Trusts, Probate & Executor Help in Pittsburgh American Wills & Estates is a locally founded, owned and operated Pittsburgh law firm with a practice limited to Probate Estate Administration, Estate Planning and Real Estate law.
Whether you need our legal services to assist you in the probate estate administration of... 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 discuss your own... 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 live an average of 76... 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 complicated now and a... 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 or her name could... 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 provide.  At... Read More
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Pittsburgh Probate Estate Administration and Estate Planning Lawyers