Allegheny County Lawyer Ready To Help You Step Up And Make That Will

No one likes to think about dying, and preparing for it can feel like inviting it. But think of the loved ones whom you have lost, how grateful you felt at being included in their wills, and you can quickly see that wills are not about fear, but about love. And you don’t want to be the kind of person who lets fear keep them from protecting those they care about..

Unfortunately, Allegheny County’s probate court in Pittsburgh regularly sees cases where there is either no will or a problem with the one presented.

• The first type of problem typically comes about when someone is taken before their time, unexpectedly. We see these with car accidents and during the worst of the COVID pandemic.
• The second kind is more common when someone:
  • Tries to complete a will by themselves without following legal procedures or terms,
  • Tries to use simple online tools to complete more advanced or complicated estate planning objectives,
  • Forgets to update their will after a change in life circumstances, such as a marriage, divorce, or the acquisition of new assets and property.

In either case, it can leave the family, already bereft, struggling through a complex probate process. Challenges may even arise when beneficiaries argue for different versions of the will or contest its validity. Even if you are fortunate enough to avoid a legal conflict, intended beneficiaries may be left with nothing (like children from a previous marriage) or get more than you would have chosen (like an estranged spouse).

The only way to avoid both scenarios is to work on your will now, while you are sure you can, with a competent estate planning lawyer.

What Can A Will Include In Allegheny County?

In Pennsylvania, wills are the primary tool used by most individuals for estate planning. They are a simple way to communicate what you have to pass on, and who you would like to pass it on to. That said, wills can also include several other essential elements that can allow you to take better control over your legacy.

• Self-Proving Certification
  If you are preparing your own will, or want to be quite certain the probate court accepts your will (while limiting the possible challenges to its validity), you can make sure it is self-proving. After drafting it with the help of an attorney, or on your own, you and two witnesses can get both the will and your identities certified by a notary in Allegheny County.This extra step may seem like a pain now, but it is nothing compared to the hassle your family might have to go through if the will does end up being contested. Don’t be the person who cuts corners on something so important.

• Guardianship Designations For Minor Children
  If you are a parent, no matter how young and healthy you might be, you need a will. It is just one of the many responsibilities you take on when you bring a kid into the world. One of the many reasons making a will becomes essential when you have a child is that it can include a guardianship preference.If a child loses both parents, the state will need to decide who will take over their care. The state always wants what's in the best interest of the child(ren), but it will very seriously weigh your preferences if they have been expressed in your will. This is your only way to influence who ends up raising your children if you are taken from them, and preventing them from going to a close relative you might disapprove of for any number of reasons.

• Pour-Over Into A Trust
  While wills are effective tools for expressing your preferences, they do not offer that much control over how your legacy is used over time. If you want to protect young children or grandchildren from those who might take advantage of them (or from themselves), put aside money for someone with special needs, or assign a specific purpose to the gift you leave behind (like college tuition), you might need a trust in addition to a will.But the two can work together, especially if you create a pour-over will, which automatically transfers money from your assets and estate into one or more trusts of your choice upon your passing.

Biernacki & Associates PC | Plan today so you can be protected tomorrow.

In Allegheny County, Pittsburgh estate planning lawyer Gregory Biernacki leads a team that has helped countless Pennsylvanians achieve their goals and protect their legacies with wills and other key documents.

If you have been putting off writing or updating your will, now is your chance to step up for those you love and ensure they are cared for by your legacy. Just call (412) 557-7726 or reach out to our Pittsburgh estate planning lawyers today to begin creating a will worthy of the legacy you want to leave behind.