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Part 1 | Powers of Appointment in Pennsylvania Estate Plans: What They Are and How They Work Part 2 | The Overlooked-Holder Problem and Pennsylvania Law Part 3 | What Holders Need to Consider — and Next Steps for Everyone In Parts One and Two of this series, we covered what powers of appointment are, how Pennsylvania law governs them, and why so many holders never learn they have one. In this final installment, we address the holder's perspective directly: if you hold a power

Part 1 | Powers of Appointment in Pennsylvania Estate Plans: What They Are and How They Work Part 2 | The Overlooked-Holder Problem and Pennsylvania Law Part 3 | What Holders Need to Consider — and Next Steps for Everyone In Part One of this series, we introduced powers of appointment — what they are, how they are classified, and how Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys use them to build flexibility into wills and trusts. In this installment, we turn to a problem that arise

Part 1 | Powers of Appointment in Pennsylvania Estate Plans: What They Are and How They Work Part 2 | The Overlooked-Holder Problem and Pennsylvania Law Part 3 | What Holders Need to Consider — and Next Steps for Everyone Few provisions in Pennsylvania estate planning are at once so powerful and so poorly understood as the power of appointment. Attorneys draft them into wills and trusts every day. Families sign documents containing them without fully grasping what they mean.

Key Takeaway In Pennsylvania, when someone dies without a will (intestate), the law dictates who can serve as the estate's administrator. Typically, the surviving spouse has priority, followed by adult children, parents, and then other relatives. These individuals must be competent and willing to serve. It sounds logical but there are a host of problems that often arise. Who Has the Legal Right to Administer an Estate If There Is No Will in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania law ou

Fiffik Law Group guides Pennsylvania families through the difficult and confusing estate planning process. After you have lost a loved one, thinking about navigating the complexities of estate administration can be daunting. Where do you start? What documents do you need, which forms must be completed and how much will it cost? At the initial meeting with a family, we stress the importance of adhering to deadlines in the probate process. Missing deadlines can lead to financ

Navigating the complexities of estate administration can be challenging, especially when family dynamics are involved. A common issue arises when a sibling continues to reside in the deceased parent's home after their passing. Here we will address the legal ramifications and potential solutions under Pennsylvania law. When a parent passes away in Pennsylvania and a sibling continues living in the family home, that sibling does not automatically have the right to stay unless

As parents, we spend countless hours planning for our children's present – their education, their health, their happiness. Our plans and aspirations for our children while they’re growing up are often fairly detailed. What kind of education should they have? Sports and other activities? Should they have a job in their teen years? We also have our eye on caring for them in the future. We work hard to save something that we can pass on to them as a legacy in the future. Our vi

As Pennsylvania probate and trust administration attorneys, we often work with families who are navigating the complexities of the probate process. While many executors step into the role with the best of intentions, sometimes without the assistance of an experienced attorney, the complexities of the probate process often prove to be a stumbling block for them. We frequently see administrations stall or lead to litigation because of avoidable errors. Whether you are an exec

It may sound odd but a common concern for older Pennsylvanians isn’t about dying, it’s about living too long with chronic illness. How do they afford care? We all know the statistics. The cost of long-term care in Pennsylvania - whether in a skilled nursing facility, assisted living, or through extensive at-home care - is staggering. In many parts of our state, nursing home costs now exceed $12,000 per month. Many families assume Medicare will cover these costs. It does not.

As elder law attorneys in Pennsylvania, one of the most common questions we receive from clients revolves around the distinction between guardianship and a power of attorney. Both involve making decisions on behalf of another person, but the paths to getting there, and the level of control involved, are vastly different. Here’s how we suggest that you understand the difference between a Power of Attorney and Guardianship: a Power of Attorney is about YOU being in control and

As Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys , we talk with clients every day about preparing for the future. We discuss Wills , Trusts , and Powers of Attorney . But there is one crucial document, often overlooked, that can provide your family with the most profound comfort and relief during their darkest hour: a written plan for your funeral and the disposition of your remains. While it may seem morbid, pre-planning your final arrangements is not an act of self-focus; it's the

In recent months, headlines have made a striking announcement: in the U.S. for the first time ever, more babies were born to women aged 40 and older than to teenage mothers. While delaying parenthood may be the new norm, delaying estate planning shouldn’t be. Many people wait to create a plan until they have children, assuming that’s when it becomes necessary, but estate planning isn’t just about preparing for kids. Here’s why getting started early matters, no matter your age