Probate

If you're concerned that one or more of your children or other intended heirs might try to challenge the provisions that you have set forth in your Last Will and Testament, you can have a no-contest clause added in the Will, but make sure you understand what it means and whether or not it's actually enforceable. Here's an article that I came across that does a nice job of... Read More

March 24, 2017 by Lloyd A. Welling, Esq.

Typically and as part of your overall Pennsylvania estate plan, you will create a Last Will and Testament in which you will be naming and designating an Executor/Executrix to managing your affairs and oversee the probate process following your death. Obviously, this is an extremely important role and choosing the right person... Read More

Losing a loved one is never easy. Yet, despite the emotional loss and great sadness, there are many things that still need to happen and get done. Here's an article that I came across in USA Today that lists five (5) important things that need to happen shortly after someone's death. Take a read and I hope you find the article helpful.

If you or a family member is... Read More

If you die without a will in Pennsylvania, your assets will pass to your closet living next of kin pursuant to state “intestate succession” laws. Here are some basics on how intestate succession works in Pennsylvania.

Only those assets that... Read More

Here's an article that I came across in Forbes magazine that really does a nice job of laying out why it's so very important to have at least a basic estate plan in place. The article relates one woman's personal story of what she learned about money and estate matters after her father's death. As she tells it, her father was good but complicated man and, unfortunately, he... Read More

Sure, it’s an honor and a privilege to be named as an Executor of a loved one’s Last Will and Testament, but it can also be a big responsibility and a whole lot of work. Being an Executor, a Personal Representative or the Administrator of an estate requires organization, attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively with a group of heirs or beneficiaries... Read More

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.

We have been assisting clients throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania through the often difficult and emotional probate estate administration process with competency,... Read More

Here's an interesting article I came across explaining why the Federal Estate Tax probably won't be revoked this year and, perhaps, not any time real soon. Take a look.

Despite promises by President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, the estate tax won... Read More

Is there really any such thing as an “uncontestable” Will? The simple answer is no, but you can certainly takes steps to make such a challenge extremely difficult.
A lot of people think that putting a certain amount of time, work, or even money into drafting estate planning documents can prevent a troublesome family member from challenging a Will. That’s not how... Read More

If you're facing the prospect of having to administer the estate of a recently deceased loved one and have no idea where to begin, here's a nice little video that lays out some of the initial steps you'll need to take.

We've been guiding clients throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania through the probate estate administration process with competency,... Read More