Call Now
A strong estate plan is not just for the wealthy. An estate plan can help you maintain control over how your property and healthcare decisions are handled in the future. With the help of an experienced estate planning attorney in Hershey, individuals and families can create clear legal plans that reduce uncertainty and help avoid unnecessary disputes.
Elements of a Pennsylvania Estate Plan
In Pennsylvania, when a person passes away, their property and assets go through the process of probate. This court-overseen process involves collecting the deceased’s assets, using them to pay off any outstanding debts or taxes, and distributing the remaining assets according to the individual’s will.
However, a will is not the only document that can be included in an individual’s estate plan. Additional documents in your estate plan can include:
Healthcare Power of Attorney
This allows you to appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions for you if you cannot communicate for yourself. This can include situations where you are in a coma or lose cognitive function, such as developing dementia. In these situations, your health care agent would have the responsibility to make decisions about your:
- Surgery or treatment options
- Long-term care
- End-of-life care decisions
Living Will
A living will works alongside a healthcare power of attorney but focuses specifically on your wishes for end-of-life care, such as your wishes for life support, resuscitation, feeding tubes, ventilators, and pain management preferences. It guides doctors and your healthcare agent when you cannot speak for yourself.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
This document names someone to manage your finances if you cannot. This can include a variety of situations, such as if you are out of the country for an extended period of time or become mentally incapable of caring for yourself. They may handle:
- Paying bills
- Managing bank accounts and investments
- Handling taxes
- Overseeing property or business matters
Trusts
A trust is a legal arrangement where assets are managed by a trustee for the benefit of beneficiaries. Assets placed into a trust are able to automatically transfer to the named beneficiaries upon your passing, avoiding probate altogether.
A revocable living trust is one of the most common types. It allows you to edit or cancel the trust at any point during your lifetime.
The second most common type is an irrevocable trust, which cannot be edited or cancelled once created. This option is typically chosen to help individuals qualify for government programs, such as Medicaid, as the assets in the trust no longer count as part of their income.
Valued Guidance from Our Estate Planning Lawyers in Hershey
Estate planning provides peace of mind by ensuring your wishes are legally protected. The attorneys at Mette Attorneys at Law are committed to helping individuals and families navigate every step of the process with confidence and clarity.
Learn more from the team at Mette Attorneys at Law and get started with personalized support tailored to your needs. Contact us today online or by calling 717-928-8424 to speak with our Hershey estate planning attorneys.