Allentown, PA Estate Planning Lawyer

Planning for the future can be overwhelming, but it’s absolutely necessary – many of us like to think that we’ll have years and years before we have to get our affairs in order, but the truth is that we don’t know what the future holds….none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. If you live in the state of Pennsylvania, the best way to ensure that the people you love most will be taken care of if anything happens to you is to work with a knowledgeable attorney to create a customized estate plan. Estate planning can seem complex, but our Allentown estate planning lawyer can simplify the process and give you peace of mind. Call today to book your free consultation and get started!

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is the process of preparing for what will happen to all of your assets and to your family members if you pass away unexpectedly or become incapacitated. You can clarify your wishes so that your family members don’t have any questions about what you would have wanted. You can also protect all of the money and possessions you have worked hard to accumulate over your lifetime from being controlled by the government or being depleted by legal costs; you can guarantee that the inheritance you leave behind will pass directy to those you love most. 

When most people think of what they need to do to plan for the future, they know that they need to make a will, but estate planning is much more comprehensive (we’ll explain why below). Your estate plan will likely need to include….

• A will (states your legal wishes for after your death)
• A trust (guards your assets and transfers them to your loved ones)
• Beneficiary designations on assets (who you want to receive what)
• Guardianship designations (if you have minor children)
• An advance directive (lays out your wishes for medical care)
• A power of attorney (gives someone else the right to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to) 
• And other legal documents. 

Our experienced Allentown estate planning lawyer can explain your options and give you all the personalized tools you need!

Why Is Estate Planning Important?

Without an estate plan, you are essentially leaving the future to chance and hoping for the best – but most people aren’t aware of all the potential consequences of doing so. If you become incapacitated unexpectedly, your family may not know or agree on what you would have wanted; this can put them under tremendous stress and pressure, and may cause conflicts that could even lead to legal battles. If you pass away unexpectedly, your estate will likely have to go through a Pennslyvania court process known as probate upon your death. Probate is a time-consuming, confusing, and extremely expensive ordeal that puts a lot of paperwork on your loved ones and depletes the money that they could have inherited if they could have bypassed probate; (it can also lead to legal conflicts).

Estate planning keeps you as in control over how the future unfolds as you can possibly be, at least when it comes to your loved ones and your assets. You, not the state of Pennslyvania, can lay out who your children will live with, who will make major decisions for them, who will make major decisions for you if you are medically unable to do so, who will inherit your home or how the proceeds will be divided if it is sold, which family members will get what possessions, and more. When you draft an estate plan, you secure your legacy. 

What Can Our Allentown Estate Planning Lawyer Do For You?

Technically, you could attempt estate planning on your own using legal templates downloaded online, but there are several reasons why this isn’t recommended. 

For one thing, legal advice you find on the internet is generic. It isn’t personalized to your specific family dynamics or finances…it’s also probably not compliant with Pennslyvania’s specific state laws regarding probate and estate planning. These are two critical aspects of an estate plan. If you do pass away or become incapacitated, and it turns out that your templated estate plan is outdated, not compliant, or not relevant to your situation, it could be declared invalid. Your family won’t be able to use it the way you intended; it may not be any more helpful than if you had never created one in the first place. 

For another thing, estate planning is complicated if you’re not familiar with the process. Remember that we said estate planning is much more than a will. Guarding assets in a trust requires extensive legal knowledge and experience, which is where an attorney comes in. It’s important to have the guidance of a professional who has that knowledge, experience, and education necessary to achieve your goals. 

Attorney Joshua N. Daly, our lead Allentown estate planning lawyer, can walk you every step of the way through the estate planning process. He will…

• Take the time to listen to you and get to know you so he can provide personalized legal assistance
• Review a list of your income sources and assets so he is familiar with your financial situation
• Explain your legal options (such as what type of documents you should have in your estate plan)
• Answer all of your questions about estate planning
• Draft customized legal tools that will protect your assets and your family
• Ensure your family knows what your estate plan entails 
• And more!

Why Choose Daly Law Offices

Attorney Joshua N. Daly has 13 years of experience leading Pennsylvania families through the estate planning process. His skill and reputation for excellence has earned him membership of the prestigious National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PA l ELA), and Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley, in addition to being awarded the Lawyers of Distinction 2022. When you work with our Allentown estate planning lawyer, you will receive an unparalleled level of dedicated attention and quality service. Daly Law Offices provides practical solutions, professional integrity, and peace of mind for all of our clients! We’re focused on helping you plan for tomorrow so you can enjoy today without worry. Call today to book your free consultation and discover more about how we can assist you with estate planning!