Wills, Estates, Trusts

The firm's Wills, Estates, Trusts, Planning, Probate and Department is managed by Jeffrey V. Matteo, Esquire and Shirlee Anne Miller, Probate and Estate Paralegal.

Our areas of practice cover:

• Wills • Trusts
• Living wills • Estate planning
• Probate • Estate and Trust administration
• Estate litigation • Real estate transactions
• Power of attorneys • Incapacitation proceedings
• Guardianships • Orphan’s Court proceedings
• Will contests/disputes • Revocable living trusts
• Asset protection planning • Special needs trusts
• Guardianship

Estate Administration

Upon an individual’s death, we work with the family and/or the designated individual(s) to act as the Executor/Administrator of the Estate.

The firm provides all services to the Executor and Administrator for the administration of the estate including assistance with the sale of real estate, and representation throughout the sale process up through and including the real estate closing, a gathering of assets including the closing of bank, mutual funds and brokerage accounts of the decedent, application for a tax i.d. number for the estate and the opening of accounts for the estate, preparation and filing of the necessary tax returns, payment of outstanding debts of the decedent and administrative expenses of the estate, preparation of releases for beneficiaries and distribution of specific and residual bequests to estate beneficiaries.

Wills & Trusts

Our firm prepares wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. We stress the importance of having a last will and testament as part of an overall estate plan. In addition, we make available to our clients a living will so that the individual can make their own determination as to what if any measure will be taken in the event of a terminal condition resulting in incapacity.
With the preparation of a last will and testament we explain the process to the testator of estate distribution, after death, including tax consequences and non-probate alternatives. The client who writes a last will and testament designates an executor or executrix to administer his or her estate.

The firm provides all services to the executor and administrator for the administration of the estate including assistance with the sale of real estate, and representation throughout the sale process up through and including the real estate closing, a gathering of assets including the closing of bank, mutual funds and brokerage accounts of the decedent, application for a tax i.d. number for the estate and the opening of accounts for the estate, preparation and filing of the necessary tax returns, payment of outstanding debts of the decedent and administrative expenses of the estate, preparation of releases for beneficiaries and distribution of specific and residual bequests to estate beneficiaries.

Power of Attorney

We stress the importance of a durable power of attorney to be given by an individual to a trusted relative, friend or corporate fiduciary who can transact business on behalf of the individual even after the individual becomes mentally incapacitated.

Guardianship Matters

For those individuals who have become incapacitated who have not designated an agent to act on their behalf in the event of their incapacity, a petition for appointment of guardian must be filed with the Orphans' Court which will make a determination after a full hearing that the individual is an incapacitated person requiring the services of a court appointed guardian.
We also assist individuals in petitioning the court for the appointment of a guardian of the person and the property of a minor, when parents are unable or unavailable to care for the minor child.

Estate Litigation Matters

The firm represents parties involved in disputes regarding the administration of assets of elder relatives as well as will contests and other litigation in the Orphans' Court.