Practice Areas

• Medicaid
• Living Trusts
• Estate Administration and Probate
• Asset Protection
• Veterans Benefits

Blog

Estate Administration and Probate

• Why Was Probate Created?
• Before you add your child's name to your bank accounts, ask yourself this question: Do you know how much credit card debt your child has? Are you really familar with your child's credit scores?
• Finding Tips On Estate Planning at the Theatre
• Update on the Status of Federal Estate Tax
• Michael Jackson Estate Makes Land Mark Estate Deal With Sony

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News

• What Next For the Estate Tax?...
  Posted on 8/5/2010
• The Growing Rate of Dementia and Alzheimer's...
  Posted on 3/9/2010
• Let it snow! Pittsburgh Extends Property Tax Deadline...
  Posted on 2/9/2010
• Estate Tax, Medicaid, Social Security Changes Ring In New Year...
  Posted on 1/13/2010
• Main beneficiary to Michael Jackson’s estate shakes up her probate team...
  Posted on 10/22/2009

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Library

Estate Administration and Probate

• What Determines the Necessity For Probate?
• What happens in Estate matters when an individual becomes incompetent?
• When Pennsylvania Estate Recovery Can Take Place By Law
• Joint Bank Accounts - Risks and Benefits
• Guidelines for Gifts and Joint Accounts

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News

Congress considering changes to the estate tax laws

Members of congress are trying to reach a compromise on a confusing estate tax law.  Under the current law, the estate tax is calls for an exemption of $3.5 million with a top tax rate of 45% in 2009, then the estate tax would completely disappear in 2010, only to reappear in 2011 in more severe form.

As the estate tax law stands right now, in 2011 the exemption level would be only $1 million with estates worth more being taxed at rates as high as 55%.  After a year with no tax at all, the change is dramatic.

This confusing and confounding estate tax law was enacted in 2001.  However, some members of Congress believe that allowing the estate tax to expire completely would be a questionable move in today’s economy – as would returning the estate tax to what they were in 2001.

In order to avoid the havoc that could be caused by the 2010 / 2011 estate tax changes, President Obama has proposed freezing the estate tax at the current 2009 levels.

Read More About Congress considering changes to the estate tax laws...

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Special Report

Order our Pennsylvania Elder Law Attorney's Guide To Alzheimer's Care

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questions

Estate Administration and Probate

• When Can Estate Recovery Take Place By Law?
• Do witnesses have to actually witness the signing?
• What is a reasonable attorney fee for probating an Estate?

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