Estate Planning in Pottstown, PA
With more than 34 years of experience, Lisa J. Cappolella at the Law Office of Lisa J. Cappolella possesses in-depth knowledge about all aspects of wills, estate and probate issues, including:
- Estate administration
- Inheritance tax issues
- Executor’s and Administrator’s duties
- Informal Guardianship
- Living wills
- Advanced healthcare directives
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Probate
- Will drafting and execution
Drafting your last will and testament
A will is essential at every stage of your life. Your will provides you with the opportunity to distribute your property, establish care for your children and otherwise express your wishes upon your death. A will is necessary to assure that your property is distributed the way that you intend it to be distributed. A will can be especially useful if you intend to leave property to a non-related party including, a friend or a charity. If you die without a will, the Probate Code defines how your property is distributed. The court would determine who cares for your children — decisions that might not reflect your desires.
Lisa J. Cappolella can draft a will that ensures your intentions are expressed.
Changing your will
As your life changes, so might your estate plan. You may need to update your will throughout your life. Lisa J. Cappolella drafts wills that address changes in your financial situation, marital status, number of children, philanthropic interests and general lifestyle decisions.
Appointment of guardian
If you have minor children, your will is a medium in which you may express decisions about their future care, which is especially crucial if you are a single parent or if both parents die in a common incident. If you do not name a guardian, the court will appoint a guardian for your children, without input from you and which may be adverse to your ultimate parenting choice.
Probate
Lisa J. Cappolella applies her knowledge about the Pennsylvania probate court to guide you through the process of probating a will and administering an estate. She assists executors and administrators in all steps of the process, including:
- Creating a plan of action to probate the estate accurately and expeditiously
- Filing the will with the Pennsylvania probate court
- Closing and opening bank accounts
- Transferring assets from the deceased to the estate
- Valuing the estate
- Managing and liquidating assets as appropriate
- Paying taxes and other debts
- Preparing the inheritance tax return
- Locating beneficiaries
- Hiring professionals and experts when necessary
- Distributing the assets in accordance with the will
- Distributing the assets in accordance with the law if there is no will
Contact us
Call the Law Office of Lisa J. Cappolella at 484-374-2237 to schedule an appointment.
