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Pennsylvania law provides how property owned by a person who dies
without a will is to be distributed. As an example, if you are married
and own assets in your own name, you might want your spouse
to receive it all should something happen to you. But if you die
without a will and have children, the law would not distribute all
of those assets to your spouse. If you do not leave a will,
the law assumes your children should receive assets due them at
age 18 and a court would decide
who would raise young children and who would administer your estate.
Only in a will can you leave money or assets to a church,
a charity or a friend.
A will can state your wishes as to all of these things. A will can
be modified or replaced if you change your mind or your
circumstances change. But just as a will is subject to a number of
technical requirements, so, too is any modification. The last will
you draw is the one that will control upon your death.
The thought of estate planning is uncomfortable to some. A will is
an important part of planning, but you may have concerns
and assets that need to be addressed in other ways. Estate planning
is a chance to review your current situation, and you may
during the process learn things
that can help you now and those you love in the future.
When you consult an attorney about estate planning, you can review
your assets and financial situation and special concerns
you might have. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and
get answers, to learn how a will and other things, like beneficiary
designations, relate with one another
and to decide how best to carry out your intentions. By asking questions,
you may learn that what people lead to you assume isn’t
necessarily true.
Only by drawing a will and planning your estate can you make these
important decisions. Having a will makes things easier for
those you care about. Knowing that you have made decisions
that only you should make has real value to you as well.
If you need an attorney and don't have one, the Lawyer Referral and Information Service can help.
Call Us Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - Noon and 1:15 PM - 3:00 PM
at (814) 459-4411. |
