Estate Planning

Pennsylvania Estate Planning Lawyers

Wills and Trusts • Estate Administration • Succession Planning

Waiting too long to arrange your personal affairs can lead to trouble. The "future" may come tomorrow, leaving your family with difficult decisions and complicating your own care. Contact our experienced Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys about drafting a will and preparing for the unexpected.

50 Years of Dedicated Service — (412) 471-4128

The full-service law firm of Weisel, Xides & Foerster offers knowledgeable representation in many fields of law, but estate planning and estate administration are our forte. Each of our four attorneys practice in this area, extending more than 100 years of combined experience to our clients. Our Pittsburgh wills and trusts lawyers serve Western Pennsylvania and clients statewide. Partner Charles Foerster also maintains an office in San Luis Obispo County, California.

A thorough approach to your future
Estate planning is the efficient transfer of wealth — during life or at death — to the intended beneficiaries, with the minimum amount of delay, expenses, and taxes. Weisel, Xides & Foerster applies its considerable knowledge to create a legally sound estate plan tailored to each family's needs.

I'm not rich. Do I really need an "estate plan"?
Yes. We educate clients from all walks of life about having a will to express your wishes and preserve the assets you do have for a spouse or children.

• In the absence of a will, your intended beneficiaries could be left out, while others you'd prefer to exclude might inherit. A legal will transfers assets exactly as you intended.
• Without a will, your estate may be subject to higher death taxes (Pennsylvania inheritance tax).
• A properly drafted will — as opposed to a do-it-yourself kit or a lawyer who "does wills on the side"
• eliminates ambiguity and hastens settling of the estate. A poorly drawn will increases expenses and opens the door for litigation.

What should my estate plan contain?
Our Pittsburgh wills and trusts attorneys take a comprehensive approach to estate planning. We discuss your assets, your plans for future care, and your goals for passing assets to family at death or incapacity. Thus, our estate practice includes:

• Powers of attorney — Designated persons (family or friends) who will make decisions on your behalf regarding financial matters and medical issues, if you are not able.
• Advance directives for health care — A "living will" that spells out medical intervention for critical care or end-of-life care.
• Revocable or irrevocable trusts — Asset preservation instruments that facilitate transfer, minimize taxes, and reduce probate hassles.

Our estate planning professionals can craft wills and trusts to accomplish any purpose:
— Preserve assets for the healthy spouse when the other enters a nursing home
— Provide for a child with special needs
— Stipulate inheritance terms (as opposed to a lump sum)
— Fund a favorite charity
— Plan for business succession (e.g., family limited partnerships)

Put Our Experience at Work on Your Goals
Contact the Pittsburgh wills and trusts lawyers of Weisel, Xides & Foerster to make one of the most important appointments of your life. We can meet clients evenings and weekends by appointment, including home or care facility visits.