Creating Your Will
Most people agree that it's never too early to consider formulating a will. But with the do-it-yourself forms on the Internet, is there still a good reason to hire an attorney for the job?
Yes. At The Law Offices of Marguerite Nealon, Attorney Marguerite Nealon understands simple wills and estates, family law and also sees how these areas intersect.
Estate Planning and Family Law
Some things you should know about an effective estate plan, especially in the context of family law:
- All wills need to be signed.
- You cannot elect to completely disinherit your spouse during a marriage.
- You can select a third party to receive assets, which can reduce a spouse's inheritance.
The Importance of Revisiting Your Estate Plan
The aftermath of a divorce is one of the most important times to revisit your estate plan, for two reasons:
- First, to change the main beneficiaries: If you were recently divorced, chances are you don't want your ex-spouse to be the primary beneficiary of your estate. If you are one of the many people who left everything to their spouse in a will, you need to change your will to exclude your ex-spouse.
- Second, to establish consistency: After a divorce, often people change their will to exclude the ex-spouse, but related documents, like a retirement plan or a trust, still name their ex-spouse as the main beneficiary. This inconsistency will make it much more difficult to achieve estate planning goals in the long run.
Representation From the Mind and the Heart
We focus on you and your family, not just the legal forms and filings. As a boutique firm, we take the time to make sure we understand your estate planning and long-term family goals, so we can provide you with the best representation possible. In short, we represent you from the mind and the heart.
Call one of our three Pennsylvania offices or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a lawyer.
