When it comes to estate planning, one important question that often arises is whether you should disclose all the details of your estate plan to your children before you pass away. This is a deeply personal decision, as it involves considerations of family dynamics,...
Should you consider your digital assets in an estate plan?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Nov 18, 2022 | Wills and Estate
Digital assets were probably not included in your parents' estate plans. If you last reviewed your plan more than ten years ago, they might not be mentioned there either. But they should be. Your digital assets include everything of yours that lives online, on your...
Who can create a valid will in Pennsylvania?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Nov 16, 2022 | Wills and Estate
When you die, there are Pennsylvania state laws that can guide the process of distributing your property to family members. Intestate succession laws specifically focus on the rights of spouses and children, although more distant family members also have inheritance...
Be aware of the state inheritance tax during your estate planning
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Nov 2, 2022 | Wills and Estate
As you start thinking about your estate plan, one of your goals is likely to maximize the assets your heirs and other beneficiaries will get to keep. That means minimizing taxes – not just estate taxes that can diminish the value of your estate, but the inheritance...
What is a power of attorney?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Sep 19, 2022 | Wills and Estate
When you make your will, you’ll have to take inventory of all your assets, decide who’ll benefit from your death, who’ll care for your assets during the probate process and assign someone to care for your children. Often, people only consider their will as a plan for...
How to account for digital assets in your estate plan
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Sep 1, 2022 | Wills and Estate
Digital assets were once an incredibly niche form of personal property. They were easy to overlook when planning an estate. However, as people increasingly lead their lives online, digital assets have become more common and more valuable. If you don't address your...
The benefits of an estate plan
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Aug 19, 2022 | Wills and Estate
No one knows when their time will come, but everyone should be prepared for the eventuality. An estate plan is one of the most important steps to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of after you're gone. An estate plan can also provide peace of mind in knowing...
How do I prove a lack of testamentary capacity when disputing a will?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Mar 21, 2022 | Wills and Estate
A will is, without a doubt, the cornerstone of any estate plan. However, for your will to serve its intended purpose, it must be duly written in accordance with Pennsylvania law. And this means that the testator must at least be 18 years old at the time of signing the...
It may be time to update your estate plans
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Feb 8, 2022 | Wills and Estate
After making your estate plans, it is crucial to revise them every couple of years. You shouldn’t wait to update your estate plans after any drastic event in your life. That way, you will ensure that only the deserving parties get a share of your estate. Below is what...
What is considered to be part of your estate?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Dec 28, 2021 | Wills and Estate
Generally speaking, anything that is titled in your own name is considered to be a part of your estate. Estate assets could include physical items such as a Pennsylvania home or digital items such as shares of stock. Let's take a look at what happens to estate assets...
Inheritances don’t have to wait until you’re gone
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Oct 10, 2021 | Wills and Estate
As you begin to think about your estate planning, you realize that you’re in a position financially where you can afford to give your adult children (or other family members) some of their inheritance now -- rather than wait until you’re no longer around. A 2019...
2 key tips for effective estate planning
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Sep 30, 2021 | Wills and Estate
Your estate plan provides valuable information about how you want your assets distributed after your death. It also includes instructions about what you want to happen if you’re incapacitated and unable to make decisions on your own. As you’re creating the terms of...
Do you need a living will?
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Aug 6, 2021 | Wills and Estate
As you get older, you may start to look into estate planning and all the documents that you’d like to include in your estate plan. Among those documents will be a will called your living will. A living will is not intended to be used after you pass away, which is...
3 ways to protect your children when estate planning
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | Jun 23, 2021 | Wills and Estate
Becoming a parent completely changes your priorities in life. Making sure that your children have everything they need will quickly become the most important thing to you. Even if you had no desire to make a last will before the birth of your children, providing...
Estate planning for loved ones with bad spending habits
On Behalf of Bellwoar Kelly, LLP | May 8, 2021 | Wills and Estate
When you have a lifetime of resources at your disposal, you may want to do something supportive and loving for the people closest to you. Unfortunately, not everyone handles receiving an inheritance well. Some people with a predisposition toward destructive or...