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1800 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301

Personalized Assistance From an Experienced Estate Planning and Trusts Lawyer

Serving clients in West Chester, Media and Norristown, PA since 1983

It is never too soon to start planning for the future of your family. Creating a well-thought-out estate plan is essential to ensure your assets are protected and preserved for generations to come. Platt, DiGiorgio & DiFabio offers comprehensive legal support for all matters related to estate planning. We recognize that planning your estate is a personal matter. Our trust attorneys have a reputation in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties for being compassionate, experienced and professional.

A skilled estate planning lawyer offers peace of mind

Estate planning involves the preparation of documents necessary to pass your estate, property and assets to your heirs. Most estate planning matters involve the creation of a will or trust. If you are like most people planning an estate, you want to avoid estate tax and probate and make sure the right people receive the right assets.

  • Trusts. The primary reason people use trusts is to avoid going through probate court. Any property you choose to transfer into a living trust is not processed through probate. Instead, the trustee transfers ownership to the parties named in the trust. There are also testamentary trusts that pass assets to designated beneficiaries outside the probate estate.
  • Power of attorney and living wills. Many clients are interested in powers of attorney and living wills, including advance health care directives. These documents can provide you with the security that comes with knowing your financial and health care decisions will be honored in your hour of need.

Comprehensive support for probate matters

An experienced lawyer helps you control how much of your estate is passed on and to whom it is passed on. If you prepare your will incorrectly or do not prepare a will, your family will face the legal process known as probate. Probate involves paying any debts you leave behind and the distribution of your estate and property to your surviving heirs. Listed below are the three basic steps involved in probate:

  • Inventory and appraisal of assets. The first step in the probate process is to create an inventory of the decedent’s estate property. This is performed by the estate’s executor or administrator. In addition, the executor is responsible for getting an appraisal of estate property.
  • Paying estate bills, debts and taxes. If you are the executor of your deceased loved one’s estate, you are not personally responsible for paying the bills, debts and taxes of the estate. In addition, if you believe there are invalid claims against the estate, an attorney can provide you with  assistance.
  • Transfer of estate property. Once all estate bills and debts are paid, the executor, in accordance with the wishes of the will, distributes the remainder of the property.

Probate and estate administration can be complicated and difficult for most people. It involves areas of knowledge gained by years of experience. Our firm strives to make this process less intimidating and more understandable.

Sound advice from dedicated estate planning attorneys in Pennsylvania

Our goal at Platt, DiGiorgio & DiFabio is to help you look after your family. Experienced and skilled, we can offer you assistance with every aspect of the estate planning process. To speak to a skilled lawyer at our firm, call us today at 267-388-1599 or contact us online.