Estate Planning Attorney Wilkes-Barre, PA
Creating or updating an estate plan is one of those things that people often procrastinate about because they don’t think it’s immediately necessary. However, accidents can happen at any time, and you or your family could be in deep trouble if you haven’t created a thorough estate plan. Without proper planning, your family might not know your wishes for end-of-life care, or they might have to go through a lengthy, expensive, public probate process before they can receive assets from your estate.
At Kreisher Marshall & Associates, we believe a comprehensive estate plan is crucial for protecting your wishes and your family’s financial future. Our estate planning attorneys serving Wilkes-Barre have over 50 years of assisting clients with these complex legal issues, and we can create a custom estate plan suited to your unique goals and situation. From drafting your will and advance healthcare directive to creating a trust or durable power of attorney, we’ll make the process as painless as possible while protecting your interests. Call now or complete our contact form for a confidential consultation.
Why You Need an Estate Planning Lawyer Serving Wilkes-Barre, PA
Creating or updating your estate plan is essential to protecting your family and assets, but doing it alone can lead to costly mistakes. An estate planning lawyer serving Wilkes-Barre, PA, can guide you through the process to help ensure your wishes are clear and legally enforceable. Without professional help, you might overlook critical details, like naming guardians for minor children, properly titling assets, or setting up trusts to minimize taxes. These oversights could leave your family unprotected or result in lengthy legal battles.
Furthermore, waiting too long to create or update your estate plan puts your family at risk. Life is unpredictable, and delaying making important decisions about your estate could mean your assets are distributed according to Pennsylvania law instead of your preferences. This could create unnecessary stress and confusion for your family during an already difficult time.
An estate planning lawyer can help you build a plan tailored to your unique needs, whether you want to establish a will, create a trust, or designate healthcare and financial powers of attorney. They can also help you keep your plan up-to-date as your life changes. You can feel confident that your family will be cared for and that your legacy is protected when you work with a skilled estate planning attorney.
How To Choose an Estate Planning Lawyer
Your estate planning attorney will handle and have access to some of your most important and private documents, so it’s crucial to choose someone reliable and trustworthy with whom you feel comfortable. Here are a few tips for selecting an attorney for creating an estate plan in Wilkes-Barre:
- Look for experience in estate planning: Choose an attorney who focuses on estate planning and understands Pennsylvania laws.
- Check their reputation: Read reviews and ask for recommendations from friends, family, or other professionals to gauge the lawyer’s reliability and professionalism.
- Ask about their approach: Find out if they take the time to understand your unique goals and provide customized solutions instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Evaluate communication: Select someone who listens to your concerns, explains complex concepts clearly, and responds promptly to your questions.
- Inquire about their services: Check that your chosen attorney can assist with all aspects of estate planning, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
- Consider their accessibility: Choose an attorney with a convenient location or flexible options like virtual consultations for ongoing support.
- Discuss fees upfront: Transparency about costs is important; ask about their fee structure and make sure it aligns with your budget.
- Ensure a good rapport: A positive working relationship matters. Choose someone you feel comfortable sharing personal details with and trust to handle sensitive matters.
Estate Planning Services We Provide in Wilkes-Barre
Our attorneys provide a wide range of estate planning services in Wilkes-Barre, including:
Wills
A will is a document that allows you to designate who gets your belongings after you pass away. It also allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. If you have no will, the state decides these matters, and the state’s distribution might not match your wishes.
Trusts
Trusts help manage your assets during your life and distribute them after your death. They can reduce taxes, avoid probate (the legal process of distributing your assets), and set rules for how and when your beneficiaries receive their inheritance.
Powers of Attorney
These legal documents let you choose someone to make decisions for you if you become unable to do so. There are two main types:
- Financial Power of Attorney: Allows someone to handle your financial matters, like paying bills or managing investments.
- Healthcare Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Advance Healthcare Directives
Also called living wills, advance healthcare directives outline your wishes for medical care if you cannot communicate. They guide your loved ones and doctors in making healthcare decisions that align with your preferences.
Estate Administration and Probate
After a family member passes away, someone must manage and distribute the assets from their estate. This process, which is overseen by the probate court, can be complex. Our firm assists executors and families in managing probate so that assets are distributed according to legal requirements and the deceased’s wishes.
Guardianship and Fiduciary Services
If someone becomes unable to manage their personal or financial affairs due to age or disability, an appointed guardian or fiduciary can help. Our firm provides guidance in establishing guardianships and offers fiduciary services to manage affairs responsibly.
Special Needs Planning
Special needs planning allows a person with disabled family members to make provisions to ensure that they receive the care and financial support they need without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits. This often involves setting up special needs trusts and other planning tools.
Asset Protection Planning
Protecting your assets from potential creditors, lawsuits, or other claims is crucial. Our firm helps clients develop strategies to safeguard their wealth so it remains available for their intended beneficiaries.
Medicaid Planning
Long-term care can be expensive, and Medicaid can help cover these costs. However, qualifying for Medicaid requires careful planning. We often assist clients in structuring their assets and income to meet eligibility requirements while preserving as much wealth as possible.
Life Care Planning
This holistic approach combines estate planning, elder law, and care coordination to address the legal, financial, and personal care needs of aging individuals. Our firm helps families create comprehensive plans that adapt to changing health and living situations.
Contact Our Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Wilkes-Barre Now
Waiting to start or update your estate plan could have severe consequences for you and your family in Wilkes-Barre. Call Kreisher Marshall & Associates today or complete our contact form for a confidential consultation.
Directions to Our Office
Ready to talk to a lawyer about your estate plan? Here’s how to find our office at 401 Market St in Bloomsburg:
From the North:
Take PA-42 S toward Bloomsburg. Turn left onto W Main St, then turn right onto S Market St. The destination will be on the left.
From the South:
Take PA-42 N toward Bloomsburg. Turn right onto W Main St, then turn right onto S Market St. The destination will be on the left.
From the East:
Take US-11 S toward Bloomsburg. Continue onto East St and then W Main St. Turn left onto S Market St. The destination will be on the left.
From the West:
Take US-11 N toward Bloomsburg. Turn right onto Market St. The destination will be on the left.
