Lehighton Legal Issues Blog
Will your estate face probate in Pennsylvania?
When you create a will, you name an executor to handle your final affairs. During the probate process, the Pennsylvania court will supervise the executor as he or she gathers, values and distributes the estate assets. Careful estate planning can help you streamline...
Reduce probate costs with a simple will
It is tempting to delay drafting a will in Pennsylvania. However, it enables you to take care of loved ones after you are gone. The state steps in and distributes assets as it sees fit if there is no will. By officially documenting which beneficiaries receive your...
What are the most common mistakes made when writing a will?
As you prepare your postmortem arrangements for your family in Pennsylvania, a last will and testament is one of the most important documents you can arrange. Writing a will may seem simple at first thought, but drafting a will that properly accounts for all of your...
What can a trust do for me?
While it is definitely true that wills are an essential aspect of all estate plans, trusts can also be quite useful depending on your financial situation. Trusts allow you more control over how your assets are treated after you are gone. This includes establishing...
When should you make a will?
Nearly 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. do not have a will, according to a survey conducted by Caring.com, and you may be one of them. A will is an essential estate planning document that outlines what should happen to your assets after you die. Without a will, state law...
Medical marijuana and drug scheduling
The five drug schedules organize drugs according to their usefulness and their potential dangers. Each schedule comes with its own restrictions. Schedule I drugs have the most limitations. The federal government recognizes no accepted medical uses for them. Marijuana...
Does your estate plan’s health care proxy posses these traits?
While planning your estate, consider not only your final desires, but your end-of-life wishes. Because you may not possess the capacity to voice your desires, you need to name a health care proxy to speak your preferences. Forbes describes qualities to look for in a...
3 reasons an alcohol breath test may produce inaccurate results
Pennsylvania law does not treat drunk drivers kindly. On the contrary, if you drive under the influence of alcohol, you face a variety of legal consequences. These consequences, of course, may spill over into your everyday life. For example, you may lose your driving...
Can bankruptcy relieve student loan debt?
While in the majority of cases a Chapter 7 bankruptcy cannot discharge student loan debt, that does not mean that bankruptcy cannot relieve financial pressure made worse by your student debt. According to Business Insider, a recent study showed 32% of Chapter 7...
Could you benefit from an asset protection trust?
Depending on your goals, an asset protection trust could be an important part of your estate plan. This type of irrevocable trust allows you to qualify for Medicaid even if you have assets above the legal threshold. Learn more about the rules for this type of trust in...
