Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys Serving Moon, Robinson and Coraopolis

We’re a middle-class family in Moon Township or Robinson. Do we really need an estate plan, and is it affordable?

Yes, and a basic plan is often more affordable than families expect. You don’t need a large estate for planning to matter. If you own a home, have children, or have a retirement account, an estate plan decides who inherits, who raises your kids, and who can act on your behalf you if you are ill or injured. A practical starter plan usually includes a will, a durable power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, and a living will, along with a check of the beneficiaries on your life insurance and retirement accounts. An Airport Corridor estate planning attorney can help you put these documents in place at a fixed, predictable cost and update them as your family grows.

How can North Fayette and Coraopolis families protect a parent’s home from long-term care costs?

For many middle-class families, the family home is the biggest asset, and nursing home or assisted living costs can use up a lifetime of savings. Elder law planning can help you understand Medicaid eligibility, which assets may be protected, and how to avoid mistakes when transferring property. Because Medicaid generally reviews asset transfers made in the 5 years before an application, planning early gives your family the most options. An elder law attorney can also make sure your parents have a durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and updated will, so a trusted family member can step in without going to court.

If our estate is modest, do we still need to worry about probate?

Probate in Allegheny County can still apply to a modest estate, and it can mean paperwork, deadlines, and costs for the family. Assets that pass by will or without a named beneficiary usually go through probate, while accounts with a named beneficiary or jointly owned property often pass outside of it. Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax can also apply, depending on who inherits. A probate attorney in the Airport Corridor can help you decide whether simple steps, such as updating beneficiaries and retitling assets, are enough, or whether a trust makes sense. If you’re settling a loved one’s estate, an attorney can guide you through opening the estate, notifying creditors, and meeting filing deadlines.