Due to COVID-19, most court functions in the state have been suspended. In addition, our office is working remotely. For assistance, please email esr@mmzlaw.com with your contact information and the legal matter you need help with and someone will be in touch. If you are seeking help regarding a Will, Financial, or Health Care Power of Attorney, every effort will be made to respond as quickly as possible.

What Is Important to Know About Inheritance Laws in PA?

Two people are holding a small model of a home, and it looks like one person is receiving the model from the other.

Inheritance laws can be complex and nuanced, and that is especially true in Pennsylvania. If you are a resident of the Keystone State or stand to inherit property here, it is essential to be informed about the legal landscape. Understanding inheritance laws in PA is crucial for estate planning and navigating the legal landscape after … Read more

Demystifying Special Needs Trusts in Pennsylvania: What Are They and How Do They Work?

A clipboard on a desk with a sheet of paper on it with “special needs trust” written in white inside a blue text block.

Some complexities can be difficult to understand when learning about the intricacies of special needs trusts and estate planning for those with special needs in Pennsylvania. Whether you’re a caregiver, a family member, or an individual with special needs, you will want to know the potential advantages of these trusts. When you’re ready to navigate … Read more

How to File Estate-Related Taxes in Pennsylvania

Concept image with the word TAXES spelled out in wooden blocks

It’s hard to believe that tax time is upon us once again. Just like the blooming daffodils and our Lancaster Country farmers preparing their fields for planting, tax time is a springtime ritual—even if no one celebrates it!

With that in mind, you probably landed on this article because you have nagging questions about working through various types of estate-related taxes. You’ve come to the right place, as we often cover taxing matters related to estate administration here on the blog.

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Guardianship Versus Power of Attorney Designations: What’s the Difference?

Older gentleman and daughter working on his estate plan with a lawyer

A little while ago, we published a post here on the blog as part of our Complete Guide to Estate Planning series covering all of the most vital estate planning documentation you need to consider.

High on that list of essential documents is a power of attorney (POA) designation—or perhaps more than one—allowing you to designate a specific trusted individual or individuals, like family members or other loved ones, to be in charge of your affairs or help you make financial decisions, healthcare decisions, and more.

Today’s post focuses a little bit more closely on why experienced probate and estate lawyers strongly recommend setting up POA designations as part of your estate plan to be fully prepared for all eventualities as you age. In the question of guardianship vs. POA, you want to avoid your family needing to seek guardianship.

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Does PA’s Filial Responsibility Law Require You Pay For Your Elderly Parents’ Nursing Care Bills?

Most parents intend to leave some inheritance to their children. However, a Pennsylvania law can also cause a parent to leave their children with significant debt. The law is commonly referred to as the filial responsibility law. This law requires spouses, children, and parents of indigent persons to care for and financially assist them. Contact May Herr … Read more

What Happens to Digital Assets at Death?

It’s getting harder to take your secrets to the grave.

Antonio Stradivari, Benjamin Franklin, and Nikola Tesla are all reported to have taken secrets to their graves. That would be much harder today if they stored their secrets on the cloud and accessed them through smart phones, tablets, or other devices. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court recently released a first-of-its-kind decision giving executors of an estate the authority to request the release of stored electronic communications from the internet service provider storing that information on its servers. The Pennsylvania legislature currently has a Senate Bill under review that formalizes this authority by statute.

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