An attorney at his desk with two clients sitting on the other side

When is the Reading of the Will?

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The scene opens in an oak-paneled conference room, as shafts of light descend through the large windows in the lawyer’s office onto the pages of an ancient, creased will. The grumpy lawyer slowly begins with some preamble when he is interrupted…
A flowering tree at sunset

Am I Responsible for My Parent's Debts?

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When a parent dies, the adult children often ask if they are responsible in any way for the debt that is left behind. The quick and easy answer is, no, you are generally not responsible for the debts of your loved one who passed away. There…
A woman signing a short certificate

What can I do with a short certificate?

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When you obtain a short certificate for an estate, what does it empower you to do? The short certificate is the document granted by the Register of Wills in a county to the Executor of an estate. The Executor, having named and granted these…
A field at sunset

The Right of Sepulchre

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When a loved one passes away, there can be disputes regarding how to treat and dispose of the body. Ideally, the decedent would have included clear funeral instructions in his or her last will and testament. In some cases, those wishes might…
An adult woman holding the hand of her elderly mother

Guardianship: When Loved Ones Cannot Care for Themselves

When someone you love is incapable of self-care physically or financially, a guardianship is often the best approach. In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of pursing guardianship, as well as what you will need to present to a court…
People having a family settlement meeting

Reaching Family Settlement Agreements in Estates

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When a family member passes away, many factors can combine to create conflict over how to resolve the estate. Oral promises made by the decedent while alive, or a confusing portion of a will, or an apparent change in circumstances since the…
Three college students walking through campus

Does my College Aged Student Need a Power of Attorney?

As fall arrives and students move off to college, parents often ask whether their student needs a power of attorney (POA) or medical power of attorney form. Power of attorney forms allow an Agent (Parent) to make financial decisions on behalf…
A woman calculating numbers on a document

What is a Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania?

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Power of Attorney is a document granting one person the ability to make decisions regarding property and possessions on behalf of another. The power of attorney document (POA) is named this because the agent can act in many ways as an attorney…
A woman signing a document

Giving Notice to Estate Beneficiaries

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Beneficiaries of an estate are entitled to notice when the estate is being probated, and it’s the executor’s job to send the notice. Today, we’ll give a brief overview on how to fulfill this part of the estate process. Giving notice…
Mountains at sunset

Opening an Estate in Schuylkill County

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When someone you love has passed away, you’re confronted with many difficult decisions, and an estate process that can feel very complicated. If the person that you love passed away while living in Schuylkill County, here are the first three…
Pennsylvania Death Certificate

Why You Can’t Photocopy Pennsylvania Death Certificates

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When a loved one passes away, one of the first steps in the estate administration process is the issuance of death certificates. Death certificates are required for many things, including opening probate and obtaining a short certificate.…