Home Category For the Public Estate Planning

Estate Planning

Why the Richest Families Lose the Most in Probate Court

Mohamed Murshed September 21, 2026

After 11 years practicing law, I have learned that wealth and preparedness do not always arrive together. Some of the most financially successful families I have worked with own businesses, investment properties, substantial retirement accounts, brokerage portfolios, and other assets accumulated over decades. They have accountants. They have financial advisers. They understand investments and taxes. From the outside, their financial

Does Your Power of Attorney Have Enough Power?

Sydney Hitchcock August 30, 2023

Powers of attorney are critical tools in any estate plan. They allow individuals to address incapacity and avoid the complicated and expensive process of placing a person under guardianship. However, the commonly utilized Minnesota Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney may not offer sufficient “power” when it comes to estate planning. To combat this shortcoming, it is advisable to create

Do I Need to Hire a Butler County Elder Law Attorney

Jeffrey Banner October 13, 2022

When considering elder law matters, we discuss your future and legacy. For this reason, if you’re looking to preserve your legacy and ensure you’ll be taken care of towards the end of your life, it’s paramount that you hire a seasoned elder law attorney to guide you through the process and to ensure all your bases are covered. Contact our

What is the Probate Process Like in Butler County, Pennsylvania

Jeffrey Banner September 7, 2022

When a person dies, their Estate often has to go through probate. This blog deals with exactly how probate works here in Pennsylvania and how the seasoned Butler County probate attorneys from Heritage Elder Law can walk you through the process. What is Probate? Probate refers to the legal process in which a person’s will, once they pass away, is

What Are the Most Important Estate Planning Documents

Jeffrey Banner August 10, 2022

Everyone needs to create a comprehensive estate plan in their lifetime. This article focuses on some of the most important estate planning documents and how a seasoned legal team can help you craft them to best suit your needs. Do I Need to Write a Will? It is recommended that you create a will to ensure that surviving family members

Will Executions During COVID-19 and Thereafter

Patty Rouse Vargas July 16, 2021

Beginning in March 2020, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, began issuing several executive orders to address COVID-19 aimed at protecting the health and safety of Texans intended to ensure an effective response to the public health crises that COVID-19 represented. These executive orders forced all attorneys to make significant changes to their day-to-day operations and practice. Estate planning attorneys

Best Ways to Settle a Sibling Dispute Over Inheritance

Gina Wasserman September 28, 2020

The passing of a loved one can lead to many complicated feelings and stressful situations—not the least of which is when conflicts arise between family members regarding inheritance. No one wants to deal with heated disagreements during a time of grieving. Still, when such situations come up, it’s best to make sure they’re handled appropriately before further strain is put

Family Feud Isn’t a Game Show in Trust & Estate Litigation

Alessandro A. Apolito April 9, 2020

In almost every trust or probate litigation case, I tell my client that death and money can do bad things to good people. Unfortunately, this statement turns out to be true in just about every case. This type of litigation is a form of family law involving different family members such as siblings, parents, uncles, and other relatives fighting over

Estate Planning With Conservation Easements

Joseph L. Koehl February 25, 2020

Texas is changing. A 2019 report by Texas Land Trends found that 83% of Texas lands are privately owned “working lands,” i.e. lands utilized for ranching and agriculture. Such lands provide vital wildlife habitat and incalculable aesthetic value. The study found that between 1997 and 2012 roughly 1.1 million acres of working lands were converted to other uses, such as

Illinois Enacts New Trust Code

Kurt Mattson November 6, 2019

Illinois residents will have a new Illinois Trust Code that replaces the Illinois Trusts and Trustees Act. The new legislation has a few notable changes concerning fiduciaries. The new code goes into effect on January 1, 2020 and for the most part adheres to the Uniform Trust Code (UTC) which has been enacted in 33 other states and D.C. However,

Estate Planning

Find a Lawyer Near You