Individuals in Pennsylvania and around the country who are concerned about estate taxes frequently place their assets into irrevocable trusts. However, this strategy has a number of drawbacks. Once an irrevocable trust is in place, the assets placed into it are beyond reach and its terms can only...

Pennsylvania residents who are 18 or older are encouraged to create a power of attorney document. This document authorizes another party to manage an individual's affairs, and it typically goes into effect when a person becomes incapacitated. However, it can take effect whenever an individual wan...

Some Pennsylvania residents may assume that trusts are only necessary for the very wealthy. However, many estate owners can benefit from a trust. In fact, some may want to use a will just to appoint an executor and a guardian for minor children. Certain assets, such as retirement accounts, usuall...

Once couples are through the intense early years of raising young children, caring for a busy household and working a demanding career, it's commonly thought that the likelihood of divorce has passed. They've made it through the hard parts and can now enjoy the fruits of their labor. For many cou...

Pennsylvanians who have large estates can take steps to protect their assets and the beneficiaries who will inherit them. Good estate planning might help to protect assets from judgment creditors and division in divorce. It might also help families to preserve their assets for generations while p...

Many Pennsylvania residents do not like to think about dying, and they may put off estate planning as a result. However, planning for the end of life can help people's family members to have an easier time managing a loved one's estate. There are several common mistakes that people should avoid m...

Pennsylvania couples who are planning to get married need to think beyond the upcoming wedding. As unpleasant as it seems, they also need to think about what would happen to their assets if they were to get divorced. One way to address this concern is to sign a prenuptial agreement. This is espec...

Spouses in the process of a divorce may need to worry about federal and Pennsylvania taxes. Proper planning in the agreement and leading up to it may either reduce or eliminate that burden. This is why it is essential to get professional help in the divorce process. A spouse in the middle of a di...

People in Pennsylvania who have more education may be statistically more likely to stay married than those who have less education. Women with a college education have a 78% chance of their marriage lasting compared to women whose education stops with a high school diploma, who only have a 40% ch...

Starting your own business can be an exciting new adventure. When you sign on with a partner, however, it's important to have a partnership agreement in place to protect yourself and your business. But how do you know which one is right for you? Three main types of partnership agreements General...

One issue that might arise for some couples in Pennsylvania who are getting a divorce is that they need to divide a retirement account. This can be a complex process since these accounts often have rules that must be followed if there is a division because of divorce. First, it is important to kn...

Parenting challenges often arise even after the most amicable of divorces. Parents in Pennsylvania who are dealing with a toxic ex-spouse may feel like the challenges they are facing cannot be overcome. Here are a few tips to help individuals who have a toxic ex-spouse. In order to be a good pare...

Having someone name you as the executor of their estate is an important responsibility. This can be a difficult time, however. If you are still mourning the loss of a loved one, you might not be in the right frame of mind. This could cause you to make mistakes you normally would not have made. Th...

Estate planning is a vital part of being prepared for the future. Pennsylvanians undoubtedly understand this, but there are certain times when there is a reluctance to move forward with the process. There are common reasons a person might avoid taking the next step in crafting an estate plan. Fac...

Before a couple in Pennsylvania decides that a strategic divorce is right for them, it may be wise to weigh both the pros and cons. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act along with proposed wealth taxes from presidential candidates have some people talking about the potential benefits that could come from in...

If you live in Pennsylvania and are preparing to get married, it is wise for you and your partner to discuss your wishes for the future. These discussions should extend all the way through your lives and even include what you want to happen when you die. This is especially important if one or bot...

When you and your spouse get a divorce in Pennsylvania, one of the things you have to figure out is who will have custody of your children. At Huckabee, Weiler and Levengood, P.C., we know it is important for you to understand your custody options so you can find the best arrangement for your fam...

There are many telephone and online scams going around that aim to fraudulently separate people from their money. Some scams may even be conducted in person. Perhaps you have already been called by someone posing as an agent from the Internal Revenue Service or had someone knock on your door sayi...

As you set up your new business, you will start making multiple decisions about how to run it. As the owner of the business, you will plan the budget, decide on which expenses are necessary, determine the location of the business and much more. But one important decision you will make will be how...

When faced with the word divorce, some people in Pennsylvania may only see the long, drawn-out court battles in which each soon-to-be-ex brings up each and every fault of the other while trying to walk away with almost everything. However, divorce proceedings do not have to be so vile and hateful...

As a Pennsylvania entrepreneur, one of the most important decisions you must make is which type of business entity you will choose for your new company. This decision will affect how both you and your company will operate for many years into the future. The Internal Revenue Service reports that y...

When you agree to act as someone's Pennsylvania executor or trustee, you make yourself a fiduciary. Consequently, as FindLaw explains, in everything you do while acting in that capacity, you must put the interests of the estate, trust, heirs and/or beneficiaries ahead of your own interests. It go...

Writing a last will and testament is a vital part of estate planning, but even so, it is not capable of handling every issue that may arise after you pass away. For various reasons, the law may not recognize some parts of your will, which is why any Pennsylvania resident should be aware of what t...

Some Pennsylvania entrepreneurs have special concerns about exposing themselves to liability when starting a new business. If you and a business partner are exploring a way to come together to form a business while limiting your liability exposure, a limited liability partnership is one option to...

When you decide to launch your own small business, you have a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important, which sometimes is complicated to understand, is considering the legal ramifications of business ownership. If you've done even a little research into it and plan on owning a small b...