Do you need help with the probate process in Chester, Pennsylvania? Settling a loved one’s estate involves a lot of moving parts, and mistakes along the way can cost your family time and money. ThePeoplesLawFirm.com can walk you through every step of what’s to come and handle the legal work so that you can focus on what matters most: your family.
Our Chester probate lawyers have over 20 years of experience handling estate matters in Delaware County and are led by Michaelagenlo L. Dippolit, Esq., a trusted name in the Pennsylvania legal community who is a published author in this specific legal field.
Give us a call at (484) 916-3584 today for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and help you get started with your case.
Why Choose Us at ThePeoplesLawFirm.com?
Probate matters require attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive family dynamics with care while maintaining compliance with Pennsylvania law. Our law firm brings all of that to the table, backed by more than two decades of hands-on experience.
When you work with our probate attorneys in Chester, PA, you can expect us to:
- Walk you through your responsibilities as administrator of the estate
- Handle all filings with the Delaware County Register of Wills
- Identify and evaluate estate assets
- Distribute assets to heirs
- Notify creditors and resolve outstanding debts
- Address any disputes among beneficiaries
- Make sure inheritance taxes are calculated and paid correctly
Do you have any questions about your case? Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free initial consultation.
How To Avoid the Probate Process in Pennsylvania
Not every asset has to go through probate. Pennsylvania probate law provides several ways to transfer property outside of the court process, which offer families to reduce the stress that full probate administration can involve.
Some of the most common ways to avoid probate include:
- Joint ownership with right of survivorship: Property held this way passes directly to the surviving owner without going through probate.
- Beneficiary designations: Life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and payable-on-death bank accounts transfer directly to the named beneficiary.
- Living trusts: Assets placed in a revocable living trust during your lifetime are distributed by the trustee after your death, bypassing probate entirely.
- Small estate procedures: If the estate’s personal property is valued under $50,000, Pennsylvania allows a simplified petition process under 20 Pa.C.S. Section 3102.
If your loved one had some of these arrangements in place, certain assets may not need to go through the court at all. Our probate attorneys in Pennsylvania can help you determine which assets require probate and which can be transferred through other means.
When Should I Hire a Chester Probate Lawyer?
Some families try to handle probate on their own, which can sometimes work for especially small estates. However, there are several situations where hiring an attorney is strongly recommended, such as:
- The estate includes assets in more than one state
- There is no will and the estate must be administered under Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws
- Beneficiaries are disputing the terms of the will
- The estate has significant debts and potential creditor claims
- There are questions about how the Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to the estate
Probate mistakes can be expensive and time-consuming to fix. Getting legal guidance early in the process helps ensure that everything is handled correctly the first time.
Call a Chester Probate Lawyer Today
If you have recently lost a loved one and need help managing their estate, ThePeoplesLawFirm.com is here to assist you. Our Chester probate attorneys have been helping families through this process for over 20 years and are confident we can do the same for you as well.
Reach out to our law offices today to schedule a free consultation at (484) 916-3584. We can review the details of the estate and help you understand what needs to happen next.
