Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Estate Planning and Probate Attorney

The bottom line with estate planning is to allow you to direct the transfer of assets to your heirs and other entities (such as charities, foundations, schools, etc.) according to your wishes and to realize tax savings in the process. The major benefits include trying to keep the estate out of probate court and minimizing taxes and expenses. These can be quite substantial if not addressed early on.

• Experience is a big advantage

I have a great deal of experience in the estate planning area and know that both knowledge of the process and attention to detail are essential. I assist clients in planning for future events like death or incapacity, so that assets are transferred with out undue delays or problems, no matter what happens. Estate planning can involve the following issues:

• Wills
• Living wills
• Probate
• 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 my practice, I 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 the wishes of the testator into account.

In the matter of trusts, especially those created for sizeable estates, I 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.

I work closely with clients to makes sure I know what makes your situation unique, and I will customize each estate plan accordingly.

• Contact an experienced attorney now

I will meet and discuss estate planning wherever it is comfortable for you, and always at your convenience. Contact my office for all your estate planning needs, and take advantage of my experience and commitment.

Thomas D. Aristide, Attorney at Law
528 Maple Street
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone: 610-691-2522
Fax: 610-691-2252
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