Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Estate Planning and Probate Attorney
Peace of mind. Our offices utmost goal is to ensure that your loved ones and your assets will be taken care of as you would have done. There are many complications that can come into play when trying to achieve such a goal. Many of the complications are legal, and some are practical. Having over 35 years of experience in this area, we can help you with both the legal and practice aspects of preparing your estate plan. One of the issues is trying to keep the estate out of probate and minimizing taxes and expenses. These can be quite substantial if not addressed early on.
• Experience is a big advantage
We have a great deal of experience in this area. We assist clients in planning for future events like death or incapacity, so that assets are transferred without undue delays or problems. Estate planning can involve the following issues:
- Wills
- Living wills
- Probate
- Trusts; Special Needs Trusts
- Durable or general powers of attorney
- Medical powers of attorney
- Marital gifts and gifts to children
- Naming a guardian for children
Just as with all the other areas of our practice, we stress personalized service and attention to your needs - particularly since estate planning is very important for everyone, and an intensely personal process for most of my clients.
• Trusts
No Pennsylvania law requires that you have to hire a lawyer to help with estate planning, but an experienced attorney can ensure that wills or trusts meet all of the state's legal requirements and take all of your wishes into account.
In the matter of trusts, especially those created for sizeable estates, we can help clients determine which options will achieve the greatest tax benefits, and that the estate is left to the intended heirs.
• Probate and Estate Administration
Probate is the legal process through which a will is validated. A person's assets are then distributed, and the individual's debts are paid. The law on distributing the deceased person's estate vary greatly from state to state, so it is wise to consult an attorney who has experience with these procedures in Pennsylvania if that is where the decedent died.
We work closely with clients to makes sure we know what makes your situation unique, and we will customize each estate plan accordingly.
• Contact an experienced attorney now
We will meet and discuss estate planning wherever it is comfortable for you, and always at your convenience. Contact our office for all your estate planning needs, and take advantage of our experience and commitment.
Lighting the way for the injured worker since 1981
Thomas Aristide and Kassandra P. Aristide Attorneys at Law