Wills, Trusts, Guardianships and Powers of Attorney
Every adult should have an estate plan, regardless of the size of his or her estate. If you die intestate (without a will), the court will divide your assets according to Pennsylvania law. This may result in a portion of your estate going to relatives you do not favor or, in extreme cases, to the government. A will allows you to leave assets to the beneficiaries you choose. You can also name guardians for your children and specify your funeral wishes. By creating a trust as well, you may avoid much of the expense of probate and minimize taxes.
The Pittsburgh estate planning attorneys at Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, P.C., can help you draft wills, trusts, powers of attorney, medical treatment declarations (living wills) and guardianships. We are a full-service estate planning and probate and estate administration firm. In addition, we represent clients in estate and trust litigation.
You can create a living trust that will continue after you die to manage assets for your beneficiaries. Living trusts can avoid the time and expense of probate. A living trust can also provide for you in the event you become incapacitated.
You can also set up trusts to manage insurance funds and education funds for minor children or other beneficiaries. For mentally or physically incapacitated minors and adults, we can create special needs trusts that will not disqualify them from Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid.
Our lawyers can obtain guardianships for minor children or mentally or physically incapacitated adults, as well.
You should also have a power of attorney for finances to appoint the person who will manage your finances and property if you are incapacitated. A living will or advance health care directive will specify who will make medical decisions if you are incapacitated.
With the firm's experience with high net-worth families and our relationship with financial and tax experts, we have the ability to create estate plans for estates of any size. To make an appointment with our wills and trusts attorneys, please call or contact us online.
