Personal, Estate and Trusts Planning and Administration Elder Law
Serratelli, Schiffman & Brown, P.C. provides extensive experience in the matters of personal, estate and trusts planning and administration, elder law and Orphan’s Court litigation. We can determine whether you need a will, help you properly provide for your children and loved ones, provide sound legal advice on how to distribute your property and holdings, help you contest an invalid will, and provide guidance for the legal issues facing senior citizens.
Serratelli, Schiffman, & Brown P.C. offers an in-depth consultation. The consultation fee will be quoted when you contact the firm to schedule your appointment.
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning involves taking steps to make sure that your final property and health care wishes are honored, and that your loved ones are provided for after your death. Estate planning can involve the creation of a will, power of attorney, health care directive, trusts and/or living will, depending on your individual circumstances. With proper estate planning, the payment of taxes are minimized. You also decide who will care for your minor children and receive your property, monetary and/or personal belongings. The time and expense of probate can also be avoided.
What is Probate?
Probate is a legal proceeding in the Orphan’s Court, which involves proving the validity of a will and transferring property after a person’s death. Probate essentially settles an estate. It occurs whether a person dies with a will (testate) or without a will (intestate).
The basic process of probating an estate includes:
- Collecting all probate property of the decedent
- Paying all debts, claims and taxes owed by the estate
- Collecting all rights to income, dividends, etc.
- Settling any disputes
- Distributing or transferring the remaining property to the heirs.
What is Elder Law?
Elder law involves legal issues which affect senior citizens, such as how to care for themselves and how to make sound legal and financial decisions. It also includes elder abuse, which is the physical, emotional or financial mistreatment of the elderly. This is most often seen in nursing home situations. It is important for senior citizens to develop a plan for their nursing and/or home care options, receive sound legal advice on how to properly handle their property and finances, and to avoid financial fraud.
Fees
Legal services are usually billed on an hourly basis with certain minimum charges. We are committed to providing quality legal services to our clients at a competitive hourly rate. Our clients receive itemized monthly invoices.
Our Experience
Estate attorneys Neil E. Hendershot, Steven J. Schiffman, John D. Sheridan and Cara Boyanowski provide clients with a wealth of experience in estate planning and Orphan’s Court litigation. Attorney Hendershot also provides extensive experience in the area of Elder Law. Attorney Hendershot has served in many capacities for numerous Bar Association, Government, State and Court-appointed Estate Planning sections and committees. He is a Member of the College of Trusts and Estate Counsel. He has taught various Pennsylvania Bar Institute courses, and was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Widener University School of Law. He maintains the PA Elder, Estate & Fiduciary Law Blog. Attorney Schiffman is a frequent lecturer to professional groups on estate planning matters. Attorney Sheridan is also a certified public accountant. Attorney Boyanowski has litigated several incompetency cases before the Orphan’s Court.
