Will writing service in Pennsylvania
Are you a Pennsylvania resident contemplating making a will? Below are things you can consider in the decision-making process. The article provides insights on how much it will cost to write a valid will, the estate laws governing the will-making process, what happens after you die when you have a will and when you do not, and other insights on how to make a valid will.
How much does it cost to write a will in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s average cost for writing a will ranges from $300 to $1000. The cost depends on the complexity of the estate, the attorney fees charged by the attorney, and the execution method chosen by the testator.
Can I write a will without a lawyer in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you can write a will without a lawyer in Pennsylvania. Writing the will yourself may expose it to unenforceability because, in so much as you choose to do so, it must comply with 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2502. Failure to comply with Pennsylvania laws makes the will invalid. LegalPen will ensure you comply with Pennsylvania estate planning laws and that your will reflects your wishes and needs.
Is It Legal to Write Your Own Will in Pennsylvania?
Yes, it is legal to write your will in Pennsylvania. One can write their will if they are 18 years old and of sound mind. The maker and two other witnesses must sign the will.
Does a will in Pennsylvania need to be notarized?
No, a will must not be notarized to be valid in Pennsylvania. However, one may notarize the will to add a self-proving effect.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Pennsylvania?
No, you can make your own will in Pennsylvania using LegalPen’s will writing services. You can write your own will or use online will templates to write your final wishes.
Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Will in Pennsylvania?
No, you do not need a lawyer to file a Will in Pennsylvania. Individuals can file their will with the county Register of Wills office where the decedent resided.
Are Online Wills Legal in Pennsylvania?
Yes, online wills are legal in Pennsylvania as long as they are legal and valid. LegalPen creates legal and valid wills for our Pennsylvania clients. A legal will is a written document stating that it is your will, dated and signed by you and signed by two witnesses who are not beneficiaries of your will.
How to Include Digital Assets in Pennsylvania Will
You can include digital assets in a Pennsylvania Will by making a list of the digital assets. After creating a list, you choose beneficiaries of your various digital assets and an executor who will administer the digital assets.
Digital assets in Pennsylvania include website content, blogs, domain names, and email accounts through business or web providers such as Gmail, text messages, online chat conversations, YouTube accounts, and other online video channels with monetized and sponsored content.
How to Disinherit Someone in a Pennsylvania Will
You can disinherit someone in a Pennsylvania will by changing the will and removing them as beneficiaries. The changes are made to the will using an instrument using a codicil. The codicil should be made following the formal and legal requirements of making a will.
How to Handle Debts and Liabilities in a Pennsylvania Will
You can handle debts and liabilities by including them in your will. Outline the order in which you would like them paid and the proceeds from which they should be paid. Outlining your debts and liabilities in the will allows your beneficiaries to be aware of your debts and liabilities, preventing ambush from the debtors.
How to Provide for Minor Children in a Pennsylvania Will
You can provide for your minor children in Pennsylvania by appointing a guardian. A guardian looks after your child’s welfare, health, and education after the testator’s demise.
How to Store Your Pennsylvania Will Safely
Storage for your will should be safe and practicable to be accessible to the executor and your beneficiaries after your demise. You can store your will at home in a safe box or a lockbox. A safebox guards your will against floods, theft, and fires. When you feel uncomfortable storing your will at home, you can do so at an attorney’s office. Attorneys have safes in their offices where they store their wills.
How to Contest a Will in Pennsylvania
Before contesting a will, one should evaluate their grounds for evaluating the will to ensure there are justifiable and legal reasons for contesting a will. The legal grounds for contesting a will include:
- The testator’s diminished or lack of testamentary capacity
- Undue influence by a person in a confidential relationship with the testator
- Fraud
- Mistake
- Insane delusions
Suppose one of the reasons for contesting a will exists. In that case, you can contact the services of an experienced attorney in Pennsylvania to help you institute a will contest in courts with jurisdiction in Pennsylvania.
What are No-Contest Clauses in Pennsylvania Wills?
A no-contest clause, otherwise called a terrorem clause, is included in the will to stop the beneficiaries from legally contesting some or all of the will’s provisions. Going by the no-contest clause, any beneficiary who contests a will will forfeit any asset, gift, or inheritance that they could receive the will. The beneficiary can contest the will, but they will lose all their bequests under the will.
What is the difference between probate in Pennsylvania and Illinois?
The probate process in Pennsylvania and Illinois is both formal and simplified. In Pennsylvania, simplified probate is available for estates valued at $50,000 or less; in Illinois, simplified probate is available for estates valued at $100,000. Probate in Pennsylvania starts by filing a petition for probate in the Register of Will. In contrast, in Illinois, the probate process begins by filing a petition in the Probate Court in the court where the decedent resided. Our company, LegalPen, offers comprehensive will writing services in Illinois.
How to Handle Foreign Property in a Pennsylvania Will
You can handle foreign property in a Pennsylvania will by including the foreign property in your will with LegalPen, professionals who write comprehensive wills. A comprehensive will that meets the Pennsylvania local formalities may be recognized in most jurisdictions worldwide.
How to Make a Will for Same-Sex Couples in Pennsylvania
Same-sex couples in Pennsylvania need to contact the services of an estate professional such as LegalPen to help create a detailed will. The will can take into account homeownership if the homosexual couple are joint owners, beneficiary designations, guardianship for minors, trusts, and powers of attorney. Ultimately, wills for same-sex couples do not differ from wills of a heterosexual couple. Contact our company today to learn more on how to write a will in Pennsylvania.
How to Plan for Pet Care in Your Pennsylvania Will
You can plan for pet care in Pennsylvania by including a guardian for the pet in your will. The guardian will ensure the health and safety of your pet upon your demise. In the will, you can allocate resources to the guardian to facilitate pet care. Alternatively, you may locate a shelter or humane organization to adopt your pet after your demise.
How to Handle Business Succession in a Pennsylvania Will
Owners of corporations or businesses should arrange for their business’s succession to guarantee a seamless handoff even in the event of their passing. Business owners can choose to sell their property to a rival or strategic partner or leave it to a family member or employee. A business owner who wishes to leave property to a family member should include the business as a bequest in their will to a beneficiary; if they would rather leave property to an employee or a business partner, they can create a buyout agreement or a business succession plan.
How to Handle Out-of-State Property in a Pennsylvania Will
You handle out-of-state property in Pennsylvania by including the property out of state in your will. Once the testator passes on, Pennsylvania courts legitimize your will. Once the will is legitimized, the property goes through ancillary probate in the estate where the property is located. To avoid lengthy and complicated ancillary probate proceedings, one should include the out-of-state property in their will.
What is the difference between Holographic wills and Statutory Wills in Pennsylvania?
| Difference | Holographic | Statutory |
| Form | This is a will that is entirely handwritten. The courts determine its validity and effectiveness. | It is a simple will. That may be handwritten or typed. It meets the valid legal requirements as stipulated in the statute. |
Meet the Author
Annie L – Distinguished linguist at LegalPen
Annie is a distinguished linguist at LegalPen, bringing a unique blend of legal expertise and linguistic precision to her work. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, attending on a prestigious Law Faculty Merit Scholarship. At Yale, Annie showcased her exceptional skills by serving as an editor on the Yale Law Review.
Upon graduating, Annie gained invaluable experience through a two-year appellate clerkship at a renowned law firm in Connecticut. During her time in law school, she honed her research and writing abilities as a research assistant and writer for various legal firms. Annie’s deep understanding of legal language and her attention to detail make her an invaluable asset to LegalPen.