Philadelphia Estate Planning Attorneys
At the Philadelphia law firm of Silvers, Langsam & Weitzman, P.C., home of MyPhillyLawyer.com, providing quality service to our clients is a top priority. We recognize that issues surrounding death or incapacity are issues that many people would rather not contemplate. But we also recognize the consequences of ignoring these issues altogether. Therefore, we take a proactive approach to explain the law, inform our clients of their options, and enable them to make smart decisions.
Quality Estate Plans in Philadelphia and Beyond
Our estate planning lawyers assist clients in conveying their wishes to loved ones through carefully drafted estate plans which can be as simple or as complex as the client needs or chooses. Additionally, we assist families through the probate and estate administration process after a loved one passes. Our estate planning and probate practice includes:
- Wills and Will Contests: Express your wishes regarding property distributions through a last will and testament. Avoid will contests among family members by ensuring the process of completing and executing your will is valid.
- Living Wills: Express your end-of-life decisions to loved ones and medical professionals through a living will (also known as an advanced directive for health care).
- Power of Attorney: A power of attorney for heath care allows you to appoint someone else to make decisions regarding your health care, should you become incapable of making such decisions for yourself.
- Trusts: People have different reasons for using trusts in their estate plan — charitable giving, control, probate avoidance, and many other factors. We help you evaluate your needs and determine if a trust is an appropriate instrument for your estate plan. Learn more: Do You Need a Trust?
- Post-Divorce Estate Planning Services: A will or estate plan that was established years ago may not reflect your current wishes, especially after a divorce. We assist clients in modifying existing estate plans or establishing new estate plans after family changes, like divorce.
- Probate and Estate Administration: Before property can be distributed to heirs or beneficiaries, an important process called probate, or estate administration, must take place. This process consists of validating the will, opening the estate and collecting assets, resolving debts, paying taxes, or distributing remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries according to the will or intestate statute.
For more information about our estate planning services in Pennsylvania and South Jersey, or to schedule a consultation with a skilled Philadelphia wills and trusts lawyer, contact us today.
Make a Plan
The attorneys of MyPhillyLawyer have talked about estate planning with members of the African American community in churches throughout the Philadelphia area. We speak to church groups about basic estate planning tools, including wills, powers of attorney and health care directives. Estate planning isn't all about aging and dying. It's about making choices for the future. It can be about making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and organizations that are important to you. Here is an audio slide show that focuses on the positive side of estate planning.
