Wills Lawyers in Delaware County, PA, Assisting Individuals and Families With Estate Legal Issues

Unfortunately, many individuals mistakenly believe that if they die without creating a will, their assets will automatically be distributed to their spouse or other heirs. However, this is not always necessarily the case. As a result, the individual is said to have died “intestate,” meaning there is no will, and their estate assets may be subject to the lengthy probate process.

Therefore, it is always in an individual’s best interest to create a will as part of a comprehensive estate plan to fulfill their final wishes. For this reason, our law firm is dedicated to helping individuals plan for the future and giving them peace of mind knowing their family will have the financial resources they need after their death.

Additionally, you may require a will attorney to assist you with estate litigation if you wish to contest the terms of a will.

Contact Peak Legal Group of Delaware Co, PA, to schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs and determine what legal options may be suitable for you.

What are the Advantages of Hiring a Wills Lawyer?

Pennsylvania has no law stipulating that individuals cannot write their own will. With the advent of technology, many individuals choose to use do-it-yourself websites to draft a will.

However, it is always in your best interests to hire a well-qualified attorney to handle any issues that pertain to creating a will. Often with do-it-yourself wills, family members can raise legal issues later as to the validity of the will.

Some of the most significant advantages of having a wills attorney assist you with creating a will include:

A wills attorney can review your will and ensure it meets all legal requirements to avoid potential probate, such as appointing a named executor and providing instructions on how to distribute your assets properly.
A careful review by a licensed attorney can help to avoid future disputes and allow your family members to obtain their inheritance promptly.
Your attorney can use their knowledge to help you create a will specific to your needs. For example, you can stipulate who you would like to be the guardian of your minor-aged children should you and your spouse pass away.
Your attorney can oversee the management of the assets and property contained within the context of the will and are distributed appropriately after you pass away.

If you are still trying to determine the benefits of having a lawyer assist you in creating a will, contact our law office and ask to schedule a free consultation. Having an attorney assist you in drafting a will can help to assure that it has been completed correctly and help to avoid a future legal dispute.

What Types of Wills Are Available in Pennsylvania?

Several types of wills are available for Pennsylvania residents depending on their individual needs. However, before a will can be drafted, you should consult an experienced lawyer who can advise you on which option would be best for you.

Some of the most common choices of wills include:

Joint will: A joint will is a single legal document that is executed by more than one testator. Typically, this is a common choice for married couples as it merges their individual wills into a single but combined last will and testament. A joint will allows the individuals who created the will to designate who will receive their property and other assets after they die.
Living will: A living will is a legal document expressing an individual’s wishes regarding healthcare and healthcare decisions should they be incapacitated to do so for themselves.
Simple will: Just like the name implies, a simple will is a basic legal document that states who should receive the testator’s property and assets after their death.
Testamentary trust will: A testamentary trust is created by an individual while they are living but does not become active until after they pass away. Upon their death, a predetermined Executor carries out the decedent’s final wishes after their estate is transferred into the newly created trust.

Of course, the type of will you require is based on your needs and goals for your family. For example, you may have a child or beneficiary that has special needs that must be addressed in your will. Or you may have special instructions regarding money or property you wish to leave to your grandchildren, who may be minors at the time of your death.

An experienced attorney can help you understand the options that will best help your family member after you are gone.

Why Would a Will Be Subject to Estate Litigation?

Even if a reputable attorney has drafted a will, issues may arise after the testator’s death that causes family members or other beneficiaries to contest it.

Some of the most common reasons that beneficiaries contest wills include:

There is strong reason to believe that the will is fraudulent.
The language contained within the will is unclear, vague, or lacks specific detail regarding the distribution of property and assets.
Vital legal documents that pertain to the will are missing or unable to be located.
A belief that the will was signed under duress or due to undue influence.
A belief the will was influenced by an act of bribery.
The decedent was incapacitated during the time the will was drafted.

If you are a beneficiary who has reason to believe that a will should be contested, contact Peak Legal Group, and ask to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and learn what legal options you may be able to pursue.

What Type of Results Can I Expect From Peak Legal Group?

Peak Legal Group realizes that planning for the future and the time after you pass away can be challenging. However, preparing now and creating a will can save your family a great deal of time and money and allow them to have the financial resources they will need.

Our law firm is passionately committed to ensuring that individuals can safeguard their assets by helping them create a will custom-made for their specific needs. We take time to listen to our clients, identify their goals, and create a will or estate plan that gives them peace of mind regarding the future,

Contact our law office in Delaware Co, PA, by calling 610-989-7064 and ask to schedule a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help.