Estate and Trusts Lawyer in Hershey, PA

Planning for the future is one of the most important legal steps you can take to protect your family, your assets, and your wishes. Working with an experienced estate planning lawyer in Hershey, PA, can help ensure that your estate is properly structured under Pennsylvania law and that your loved ones are not left with unnecessary legal complications.

Key Documents in an Estate Plan

A comprehensive estate plan typically includes several important legal documents designed to protect you during life and after death:

• Wills and trusts to direct how assets are distributed after your passing. Assets can include real estate, cash and bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, business interests, and physical belongings.
• Powers of attorney for financial and healthcare decisions, typically when you become incapacitated
• Living wills. This allows you to detail how you want your end-of-life care to be handled if you are unable to speak for yourself.
• Guardianship designations for minor children. This document names who would raise your children if something happens to you and the other parent. Without this, a court decides who becomes guardian.

Each document serves a specific purpose and must comply with Pennsylvania law to be valid and enforceable, making it vital to seek legal counsel.

The Types of Trusts in Estate Planning

A trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer assets into a managed account that is overseen by a trustee. Trusts are an important tool in many estate plans because they allow you to control how and when your assets are distributed, both during your lifetime and after your death. 

Unlike a will, a trust can help your estate avoid probate, which may save time, reduce costs, and keep your financial matters more private. There are different types of trusts, and each serves a different purpose. These include:

1. A revocable living trust. This option allows you to maintain control of your assets during your lifetime and make changes as needed, while also helping your estate avoid probate later on. 
2. An irrevocable living trust. This option generally cannot be changed or cancelled once it is created. However, this type of trust is often chosen to help individuals qualify for Medicaid, as the assets placed in this trust legally belong to the trust and no longer count as part of an individual’s income.

You can also create trusts to help support a disabled beneficiary without disrupting eligibility for government benefits and trusts that can set a payment period that distributes assets to beneficiaries in scheduled installments over time, such as at certain ages or milestones.

Prepare for the Future with an Estate and Trusts Lawyer in Hershey

It’s impossible to predict what the future holds. Having a legally compliant estate plan can help you prepare for the unknowns in life. Estate planning gives you control over your future and peace of mind for your loved ones. 

If you are ready to protect your assets and secure your legacy, contact an experienced Hershey estate planning lawyer today. You can reach Mette Attorneys at Law online or by calling 717-928-8424 to schedule a consultation.