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Norristown Pa Last Wills Lawyers
A Pa Last Will can grant your boss (Pa Executor) the ability to administer your Estate.
With respect to additional traits that your boss should possess (in addition to being able and willing), I have found that your boss (Pa Executor) should also be
- honest
- diplomatic.
The most common misconception that surrounds a Will is the process called probate and the seemingly universal theme that it should be avoided at all costs.
Again, and virtually to the contrary, the word probate is merely the Latin infinitive verb that means to prove, and, although some states do have onerous probate procedures (where the avoidance of probate may be a prudent strategy), Pennsylvania is not one of those states.
In fact, probating a Will in Pennsylvania is very simple.
Also very important is the fact that a Will only disposes of the assets (1) that you own in your individual name alone and (2) that possess no beneficiary designations (i.e., no tags).
Consequently, items owned jointly with another are controlled by property law (not Will law) and will pass to the joint owner(s) at your death, and items that have beneficiary designations will be controlled by contract law (not Will law) and pass to the designated beneficiaries at your death.
Pennsylvania Lawyer Advises and Represents Pa Testators and Pa Executors
John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq. provides a full range of services for wills: drafting, review, amendment, revocation, execution and probate. I provide reliable guidance for testators and executors. My experience in the probate court, resolving issues related to the validity of wills, enables me to provide practical advice for testators from all walks of life. Similarly, my work in the formation of wills gives us keen insight into how executors should interpret various aspects of a will that may initially seem unclear. Whether you are a testator formulating an estate plan or an executor implementing a decedent’s wishes, John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq. can simplify many complex aspects of the tasks before you. I offer pertinent and personal legal advice to obtain the results you need in a timely manner with the least stress possible.
Executing a Valid and Effective Will
Executing a valid will is rather simple; executing an effective will takes a bit more work. The probate court approves a will if it finds the document was executed intentionally and freely by a person of sound mind, is written in clear, unambiguous language and is signed and witnessed. That’s really the easy part. To be effective, your will must be comprehensive, covering the full range of your worldly possessions and your deepest concerns, and contemplating various contingencies. I work closely with you to memorialize your intentions completely and instructing that they be carried out in the most efficient manner possible.
Once executed, your will remains your final statement of your intentions until you amend or revoke it. I recommend reviewing your will every three to five years and updating it to reflect your current wishes.
