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Harrisburg Estate & Trust Administration Lawyer

Harrisburg Estate & Trust Administration Lawyer

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Providing Expert Guidance and Estate Planning Services for Personal Representatives and Trustees

At Keystone Elder Law, P.C., we offer comprehensive estate planning services and legal guidance for a wide range of estate and trust administration matters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Administering a loved one’s affairs after their passing can be overwhelming, leaving family members with many questions and uncertainties. Our team is here to address your concerns, guide you through each step of the administration process, and help you successfully bring the estate or trust to its conclusion.

Distinct Forms of Administration for Pennsylvania Trusts and Estates

It’s important to understand that a trust and a probate estate are separate legal entities. A probate estate is administered by an executor or personal representative and includes solely owned property of the deceased. Estate administration involves managing the estate by the personal representative, including probate filings, asset collection, debt payment, and ensuring compliance with legal obligations. Assets held jointly with another person, such as a spouse or child, are not part of the probate estate.

If the deceased left a will, the probate estate is administered according to its terms. This involves appointing a personal representative and distributing the estate’s property to beneficiaries after settling debts and administration expenses. In the absence of a valid will, Pennsylvania’s intestacy law governs the administration of the estate. The probate process can be lengthy and costly, but it is necessary to validate the will and distribute assets accordingly.

Assets placed in a trust during a person’s lifetime are not considered part of the probate estate. Many Harrisburg residents utilize “living trusts” to bypass regular probate administration. In a living trust, assets are titled in the name of one or more trustees, who administer them for the benefit of named beneficiaries. While alive, the grantor can serve as their own trustee and beneficiary. However, upon their passing, a successor trustee takes over to administer and distribute the remaining assets according to the grantor’s wishes. Inheritance tax implications must also be considered, as different rates apply to various beneficiaries in Pennsylvania, and accurate tax return filings are essential for both state and federal taxes.

It’s common for individuals to have both a trust and a will, as each serves a distinct estate planning purpose. In many cases, the same person fulfills the roles of personal representative for the estate and successor trustee for the trust. Even when different individuals assume these roles, coordination is often necessary to ensure a smooth administration process between the two entities.

Contact Keystone Elder Law, P.C., Today

As a personal representative or trustee, you hold a fiduciary duty to fulfill your legal responsibilities to the best of your ability. Experienced estate planning attorneys can provide valuable assistance in honoring your loved one’s final wishes and carrying out your duties professionally. Keystone Elder Law offers estate planning services to help manage your assets and ensure your wishes are honored. If you’re involved in any matter related to the administration of a trust or estate in South Central Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate to contact Keystone Elder Law, P.C., today to schedule a consultation. We are here to support you throughout the process.

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Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Approach

Empowering Clients with Holistic Planning at
Keystone Elder Law

At Keystone Elder Law, we believe that the physical, social, legal, and financial considerations of our clients all intertwine. We utilize an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate each area, which allows for the creation of a plan that addresses the concerns of the individual as a whole as well as the family. To this end, our model of practice includes a Care Coordinator (usually a nurse or social worker), whose expertise complements our team of attorneys.

When the road of life is smooth, decisions about legal and financial matters are easy to push aside for “a rainy day.” Planning ahead, however, will allow for more options as you view the map of where you’ve been and where you want to go. Don’t let a crisis limit your choices or derail your plans.

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