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

Wills

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.


Getting Started in the Role of Executor

So You've Been Named as the Executor, Now What?

Serving as an Executor (sometimes called a Personal Representative or Administrator) of an Estate doesn’t have to be a nightmare, but it’s important to be organized from the start. As the Executor you are going to be the person who is legally responsible for protecting the assets of the decedent until the probate estate... Read More

Pittsburgh Estate Planning

Planning For Your Long-Term Healthcare is Important

An incredibly important aspect of overall Estate Planning is making sure that you have appropriately planned for your long-term healthcare needs.  Here is a great article and resource that addresses from every angle what long-term care means and the steps that you need to consider taking to adequately protect you family and your loved ones.

https://seniornavigator.... Read More

Estate Planning Lawyers in Pittsburgh

DO-IT-YOURSELF ESTATE PLANNING IS A VERY BAD IDEA

In the day and age of Google and the world seemingly being at our fingertips, I'm seeing more and people take on tasks that they are eminently unqualified to take on.  Remember, you're not a car mechanic merely because you watched an engine repair video online.  This same concept holds true when it comes to putting together an effective estate plan that will best address... Read More

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

Estate Planning

Is it Time for Your Estate Planning Checkup?

So you've already done your estate planning and you're now good to go, right? Wrong. Even if you already have Wills, Power of Attorneys, Living Wills or even a Trust in place, don't just put everything aside and forget about it.

Like everything in life, changes happen. Because of that, we tell all of our clients that it's a very good idea to take a look at their... Read More

Estate Planning

Estate Planning Lessons Learned

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

Wills and Will Lawyers

The Elusive “Uncontestable” Will

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

Wills and Estates

Do I Really Need a Will?

People are constantly asking me, "Lloyd, do I really need a Will. Isn't that something only people with a lot of money need?" And my answer is always a big, resounding NO. Not only should everyone have at least a simple Will as part of their estate plan, they should most definitely also have a well drafted Power of Attorney and Living Will as part of their overall plan as... Read More

Last Will and Testament

The Importance of Having a Last Will and Testament

The importance of having a Last Will and Testament and.....a little Purple Rain to go with it. Estate planning doesn't have to be scary, difficult or expensive, but it's so very important to get it done. Quit procrastinating folks, despite the rumors to the contrary....none of us are going to live forever.
http://fox2now.com/2016/05/03/importance-of-having-a-will/... 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

Subscribe to the AWE Wills

Pittsburgh Probate Estate Administration and Estate Planning Lawyers