About Norristown Pa Probate Lawyers – Bio
John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq. has a thorough understanding of Pennsylvania law. I work hard to help you get the best possible results in the following practice areas:
John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq. has a thorough understanding of Pennsylvania law. I work hard to help you get the best possible results in the following practice areas:
- Wills & Probate: Whether you’re planning the parameters of your future medical care or establishing support for loved ones upon your death, a wills and probate attorney can help.
- Probate and Trust Litigation: Probate and trust disputes arise when beneficiaries suspect that will or trust documents are invalid or that fiduciaries are mismanaging assets. John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq. has the necessary experience to represent either side in probate and trust litigation.
- Probate Litigation: If you suspect that a will or trust does not reflect the wishes of the deceased, you have a right to challenge the proceedings in court. John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq. has the necessary experience to represent you in probate and trust litigation.
- Surrogate’s Court Litigation: When a will or trust does not clearly define the intentions of the deceased, disputes may arise between beneficiaries. If it can be shown that the will was not executed according to the decedent, the case may go to Surrogate’s Court. I have the skills and experience necessary to guide you through the legal process.
- Probate and Estate Administration: At John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq., I guide will executors and estate administrators through the complex probate process with assistance in collecting, valuing, protecting and liquidating the assets of the estate.
- Guardianships & Conservatorships: When devising your estate plan, the care of your minor child, incapacitated parent or disabled adult child is likely your priority. I can provide you with sound advice and professional assistance with crucial decisions about the financial support, protection, conservatorship and guardianship of your dependents.
- Wills: Drafting a will is an important and necessary step in your life, allowing you to make your intentions known about a number of important issues. To make your will effective as well as valid, it is essential to consult with an experienced estate planning attorney.
- Powers of Attorney: I advise on and prepare Pennsylvania powers of attorney. As an experienced estate planning lawyer, I work with individuals and businesses to make sure that legal authority for vital tasks is transferred in the event of a person’s incapacity.
- Family Wealth Transfers: I assist clients in creating comprehensive wealth transfer strategies tailored to each family’s individual situation. I help you establish a trust fund, transfer your business or incorporate transferring family wealth into your will.
- Advance Directives: I draft and execute Pennsylvania advance directives. As an experienced estate planning attorney, I am dedicated to ensuring that your wishes are carried out with the least possible burden on your family.
- When you retain the services of John B. Whalen, Jr. Esq., you can be assured that your attorney is fully qualified to take on your case.
Committed To Reliable Service
About Norristown Pa Probate Lawyers – Hours
About Norristown Pa Probate Lawyers – Video
Norristown Pa Beneficiary Lawyers
There are many factors that can affect the distribution of estate assets.
Sometimes there may be a Pa Will.
However, in other cases, there may not be a Pa Will at all.
Sometimes there may be a dispute involving the administration of the estate.
For example, a beneficiary may disagree with how the Pa Executor is distributing assets.
Norristown Pa Estate Administration Lawyers
Pa Estate Administration is the process of settling a decedent’s affairs.
When a loved one passes away, it can be an emotional time.
In addition to grieving, the survivors must tie up all the legal and financial loose ends.
This includes addressing their Pa Last Will and following its instructions.
Norristown Pa Estate Lawyers
In this paragraph, I want to explain that Pa Estate law has many areas of law.
However, all of these areas of law focus on taking care of one’s person and property.
Pa Estate Law involves all of the things that impact how a person makes decisions about their affairs.
Simply stated, an estate is what a person has in their own name alone when they die.
Norristown Pa Estate Litigation Lawyers
Generally, most PA Estates are easily settled.
Yet there are times when other factors complicate the issue, which would require more careful consideration.
For example, a family business that holds significant amounts of real estate may become complicated quite quickly.
Thus, estate litigation may come into play.
Norristown Pa Estate Planning Lawyers
A Pa Estate Planning attorney can help you create a complete Pa Estate plan.
A Pa Estate plan may include one of many documents. These a Pa Last Will, a Pa Power of Attorney, and a Pa “Living Will.”
Taken together, these documents comprise your Pa Estate plan.
It will protect your spouse and children if you become unable to manage your affairs.
Norristown Pa Powers of Attorney Lawyers
A Pa Power of Attorney authorizes another individual to make certain decisions on your behalf.
The Pa Principal signs the document – the Pa Agent accepts the document.
Norristown Pa Living Wills Lawyers
“Pa Living Wills” (Pa Advance Directive for Health Care) grants your Pa Surrogate the ability to enforce your end-of-life decisions.
Therefore, should you become unable to speak for yourself, your “Pa Living Will” will explain your desires with you medical treatment.
Norristown Pa Trusts Lawyers
Trusts are legal documents that allow you to control how your assets will be allocated or managed.
You are considered the grantor and the person that manages and distributes assets in the trust is known as the trustee.
You can also create a revocable trust. This would allow you to cancel or revoke it at any time.
Trusts can be set up for a child’s education or to reduce Federal Estate taxes.
Norristown Pa Last Wills Lawyers
A Pennsylvania Last Will is a very important document. It dictates how your assets will be divided when you die.
The Pa Executor administers assets from your estate. He or she will allocate your possessions as you specified.
You should periodically review your Pa Will to make sure it is still relevant and accurate.
Life changing events, such as the birth of a child or a marriage, may require amendments.
Norristown Pa Estate Litigation Lawyers
Most estates, especially when there is a proper Pa Will, are easily settled.
Yet there are times when other factors complicate the issue. This then creates a situation that requires more careful consideration.
As examples, a family business, an estate that is in bankruptcy or an estate that holds significant amounts of real estate may cause a Pa Estate to complicate quickly.
Norristown Pa Estate Taxation Lawyers
A Pa Executor of a Pa Last Will or a Pa Trustee of a Pa Trust has a fiduciary duty.
The financial assets of another person or entity, they have the responsibility of keeping accurate financial records.
The records should show how your money was handled while the fiduciary was in care control.
Therefore, a proper accounting can bring to light the wrongs should an issue arise with an interested party.
Norristown Pa Guardianships Lawyers
Human emotions run through the Pa Guardianship process.
Thus, realizing that someone is now incapable of caring for themselves can be difficult to accept.
Norristown Pa Probate Law Lawyers
The Pa Probate process, itself, is a very simple process.
However, it is merely the beginning of the Pa Estate Administration process.
It consists of settling all of a decedent’s affairs.
Therefore, it can (and does) involve many other things to do.
Norristown Pa Probate Attorneys Guide
The Doylestown Pa Probate Attorneys Guide is the core of this website.
It consists of the best, most important articles on this website.
Their focus is to provide the best and most complete information on a particular topic.
Therefore, the Guide is not intended to sell products.
Do You Provide Free Initial Consultations?
Attorneys spend a lot of time, effort and money to gain their expertise and knowledge and a good consultation provides the client with valuable information.
How Long Are Your Initial Free Consults?
Generally between 15 and 20 minutes.
What Should I Expect With My Consult?
An explanation of your legal rights based on your situation and facts you provided.
How Do You Charge With A Longer Consult?
My one hour flat fee – $450.00.
What Do I Receive For A Longer Paid Consult?
An attorney who listens to you and reviews your facts and history, existing orders, agreements and other relevant factors to your case. Your legal option(s) and the potential outcomes of each option as well as the possible costs for each option, although there are many factors that go into a case which can increase the costs and are beyond the control of the most prudent attorney.
You should expect:
- During consultations we regularly tell prospective clients our services are not needed if we find that to be the case.
- Please note that most lawyers will not provide legal advice during a free initial consultation. In most cases, they will listen to your case and let you know if they can help you. In addition, an attorney who is offering free consultations may be one who has few clients, is not very busy, and/or is willing to take any case that walks through the door, even if other alternatives may exist for that client. At our firm, paid consultations may last anywhere from an hour to two hours.
- When you leave a good consultation, you may not be happy about your options, but you should feel very educated, empowered and aware of the possible next steps.
- It also gives the attorney an opportunity to see if you have the type of case the attorney wants to take and decide if they want to work with you.
- A consultation fee also helps to weed out those just searching for free legal advice.
- We also regularly offer alternatives that are not profitable to us, but are beneficial to the prospective client.
What You Shouldn’t Expect?
A pressured sales session. Your consultation should be informative and if you feel comfortable with the attorney and the conversation, you choose whether or not to retain that attorney.
You should feel your questions have been answered and you understand the options available to you.