(717) 232-5000
Drafting & Reviewing Last Wills
The prospect of dividing your estate after your death isn’t easy to confront – but sorting it out sooner rather than later is so important. Proper planning brings you peace of mind and ensures that your estate will pass to those you wish to benefit from your life’s work.
The estate planning team at Mette, Evans & Woodside is ready to help. We’ll ensure that your assets go where you want them and help you prepare for every eventuality through your will.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
What is a Last Will & Testament?
A last will and testament is a legal document that divides up your estate after you’ve passed away. It also names your executor, who is the person to administer and manage your estate. A will can also name a legal guardian for minor children or a trustee to manage a trust for their benefit. Your will provides for the transfer of your probate estate. Probate assets constitute your estate.
“Estate” is a comfortingly simple term, but listing the funds and assets it describes can be a detailed task. This is why working with our qualified will attorney team is best. We can help you understand your assets, describe them appropriately, and divide them among your beneficiaries.
Create or Update Your Will
Wills have certain legal requirements for the Court to admit them to probate. Some people are unaware that wills are just one of several documents you should draft to protect your assets fully. Besides the will, you’ll need to prepare a power of attorney for health care and property management, and consider creating an “advanced directive” or “living will “ to advise on your end-of-life preferences should you become incapacitated.
Estate planning documents should be drafted and signed with the assistance of a qualified attorney. This ensures that all outcomes have been considered, that the documents have been prepared in accordance with state law, and that they will be honored when presented to the court or a financial or healthcare institution.
When you work with our team, you can donate assets to charitable entities or create trusts. We’ll also help you apportion your estate so that you understand taxation and control the flow of your assets as you intend.
Appointing Power of Attorney
Appointing an agent under your Power of Attorney for Property Management means giving a trusted person authority over your assets and affairs if you become incapacitated. This is often a spouse, a sibling, or an adult child, but can also be a trusted friend or professional. Appointing a power of attorney for health care management means giving a trusted party control over your health care decisions and treatment if you cannot speak for yourself.
This decision should be made with your attorney. Our team can help you draft the paperwork and ensure your estate is in capable hands.
Living Wills
Also known as advanced directives, living wills let you memorialize your wishes to manage your own healthcare and treatment options if you’re incapacitated and suffering from an end-stage medical diagnosis.
Our team can help you through this process to incorporate your values, beliefs, and goals for customized end-of-life decision-making.
Wills & Legal Documents for Your Future
The Mette, Evans, and Woodside team can help you understand the role different estate planning documents play and how to draft yours to achieve your goals. Don’t delay—protect your estate and your loved ones by contacting our team today.
Last Will & Testament Attorneys
John A. Feichtel
Ronald L. Finck
Aaron D. Martin
Hannah White-Gibson
Geographic Regions Served
Harrisburg • Lancaster • York • Philadelphia • Pittsburgh • State College • Altoona • New Jersey