Northampton, PA Estate Planning Lawyer

Estate planning can be emotional for many people to go through because it forces them to think about death. It’s uncomfortable and even sad at times, but the reality is that no one lives forever. Don’t let this unease prevent you from making a plan for the wealth you have worked hard to build throughout your life. You want to help support your spouse, children, or other loved ones with the inheritance you intend to pass on to them – not burden them with the difficulty of deciding what assets go to which person. In addition, with no estate plan in place, your assets could be impacted by taxes, debt, court fees, or the incredibly painful probate process. 

There is no certain age requirement for establishing a plan for your estate. Death can happen at any time; are you willing to take the risk of leaving your family in a bind? By working with our experienced Northampton estate planning lawyer, you can rest assured that your assets are protected and that they can be easily transferred to your loved one in a timely manner. Our lead attorney, Joshua N. Daly, strives to give you peace of mind by providing quality legal services. Call today to schedule a free consultation!

What Does An Estate Planning Lawyer Do?

Wills and trusts make up the bulk of the estate planning process. In general, many people think a will is fool-proof, but this isn’t actually the case. Even with a will in place, your assets will still have to go through the probate process before they can be distributed to your heirs. This can take months to resolve, and deplete your wealth with costly court fees. There are many different documents that can and should go into your estate plan, and our estate planning attorney will take the time to sit down and discuss your unique family dynamic and financial situation, as well as answer any questions and address your concerns. Then, he will present the options that can accomplish your goals. For example, if you have young children, part of your estate planning will be to designate a guardian in the event that you are no longer there to care for them. You may also want to establish a trust, power of attorney, or health care directives. 

Can I Just Do It Myself?

Despite the complicated intricacies of state and federal laws, there are still resources out there (especially on the internet) which claim that you can handle estate planning yourself without legal guidance. This “DIY” approach is not a good way to secure your assets. On top of the fact that many times the information is inaccurate or incomplete, changes in laws and regulations happen frequently, and these platforms do not always keep up. Without the help of a knowledgeable and experienced estate planning attorney, you are not going to get the personalized advice you deserve.

Another risk you’re taking with DIY planning is that your assets will have to go through the long and complex Pennsylvania probate process before they can be distributed to your heirs. Establishing an estate plan through an attorney-drafted trust ensures that your assets will avoid probate, and thus saves your loved ones and other beneficiaries the time and stress of dealing with the court. Your wealth would otherwise be depleted by the expensive court fees necessary to resolve probate. You worked too hard to put any of your assets at risk.

Our Northampton Estate Planning Lawyer Is With You Every Step Of The Way

At Daly Law Offices, you aren’t just another client. We are a firm that listens to you and tailors our legal services to your needs. With over 15 years of experience, our lead attorney Joshua N. Daly has earned membership in the prestigious National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PA | ELA), and Estate Planning Council of Lehigh Valley. He was awarded the Lawyers of Distinction award in 2022, which further proves his commitment to excellence. Call today to schedule a free consultation with our Northampton estate planning lawyer and feel confident in the high level of services we can provide.