Estate Planning Lawyers

Estate Planning

Planning for your future can be difficult. It requires careful planning and making hard decisions. Who will pay your bills if you become disabled? Who will care for your children after you pass away? Who will be the benefactor of your life insurance and estate? Remember, if you don’t make these decisions, the state of Pennsylvania will.

But one decision that shouldn’t be difficult is choosing an estate planning attorney to guide you through the process. The Pennsylvania estate planning attorneys at Fellerman & Ciarimboli understand how hard it is to make these decisions. We will walk you through each step so you feel at peace, knowing your family is taken care of after you are gone.

What Is Estate Planning?

Estate planning is making arrangements for what will happen once you are gone. Not only do you plan out who should get what, but you can also choose who will administer your estate, plan for health care directives, make final arrangements, and protect your business.

It involves various aspects of the law, such as:

  • Wills: A will is a legal document that explains the division of property, guardian of your children and/or pets, trust creation, and other important issues. Consider this as a plan for what happens when you are gone.
  • Trusts: There are many different types of trusts for different purposes; for example, a living trust which allows you to pass your inheritance to your loved ones without the headache of going through probate court.
  • Power of Attorney: Power of attorney is when you appoint someone to act in place of you for either financial or healthcare purposes if you ever become incapacitated. For example, if you get into a car accident that leaves you in a coma, the power of attorney can make decisions on your behalf.
  • Advance Healthcare Directive: Also known as a living will, this legal document specifies what actions should be taken if you are unable to make decisions for yourself because of illness or incapacity. Using the scenario above, if you have a directive, it will state what you want to happen if you stop breathing.
  • Business Succession Planning: If you own a business, you need to figure out what happens to it after you pass away. This means creating a plan that explains what should happen to your shares of the business, how it will be funded, and other important matters.
  • Inheritance Taxes: In addition, you can help minimize any taxes, court costs, or other legal fees by setting aside these finances.

It’s important to note that you should revisit your will on a regular basis, especially if there are any major life events in your life.

Why Should I Plan Now?

According to a recent article in AARP, 60 percent of Americans don't have either a will or living trust. The top two reasons why many have yet to complete any estate planning is because they either "hadn't gotten around to it" or "don't have enough assets to leave anyone."

But it is important to make these decisions now, if not to protect your own assets, but to protect your loved ones. By creating an estate plan, you're preventing the following from happening:

  • Your assets going to the wrong beneficiaries. For example, let's say you promised your grand niece that she could have your wedding china after you are gone. However you never created a will and when you die, the china is sold at auction.
  • Your children's future becomes uncertain. If you have small children, you have to figure out guardianship matters. You may also want to consider setting up a trust for their futures. If a plan is not put in place, the courts will come in and decide for you.
  • Your heirs pay too much in taxes. It can be quite expensive if someone dies without a will. There are estate taxes, court fees, and funeral expenses your loved ones will have to deal with. But by planning for the future, you can protect your loved one's inheritance.
  • Your healthcare choices are ignored. We don't like to think about becoming incapacitated or become too ill to make our own decisions. But by ignoring these directives, you're leaving these choices to your loved ones. They may think they know what's best for you but you may not feel the same.
Continue Reading Read Less
WALK-IN WEDNESDAYS 9:30am - 3:30pm Available Locations Honesdale | Berwick | Scranton If you need legal advice, come in and speak with one of our attorneys at no cost

Join us for Walk-In Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at our convenient locations in Honesdale, Berwick, and Scranton. If you find yourself in need of legal advice, our dedicated team of attorneys is here to assist you at no cost. Take advantage of this opportunity to address your concerns and get the guidance you need. Your legal questions deserve answers – visit us on Wednesdays and let us help you navigate your legal matters with confidence.

Contact Us Today

We’re Ready to Help

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy

Hear From Our Happy Clients

At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law, PC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    “They are the best choice!”
    We could have never made it without Molly Clark and Fellerman & Ciarimboli!! It's scary going after someone for wrongdoing and she took us through every step. She answered all our questions, good or bad. She was available 24-7 and weekends fighting for us. She fought for our needs and got us what was deserved!! They are the best choice!!
    - Star K.
    “I highly recommend Attorney Molly & the firm to anyone seeking reliable & compassionate assistance during challenging times.”

    I have a friend who sought help from Fellerman & Ciarimboli and said they were very nice and helpful. So when I needed assistance, they were the first ones I thought of, and gave them a call. I was connected to Attorney Molly Clark, who made a significant impact. Her comforting personality created a welcoming environment during our interactions, turning what could have been a somber experience into one filled with positivity. Our upbeat conversations, in contrast to the challenging situation, improved my well-being.

    What truly won me over was Molly's commitment to keeping me informed about the progress of my situation. Whenever I called her with questions, she promptly provided answers, ensuring I had the information I needed when I needed it. Working with Fellerman & Ciarimboli was a positive experience given the circumstances I was facing. I highly recommend Attorney Molly and the firm to anyone seeking reliable and compassionate assistance during challenging times.

    - Frank K.
    “You are like family to us & will always love you!”
    Molly thank you for everything you’ve done for Terry and me. You went above and beyond. You are like family to us and will always love you!
    - Arlene P.
    “I can't express how GREAT my first experience with an attorney has been!”
    I can't express how GREAT my first experience with an attorney has been! I'm not kidding when I say that both you and the entire firm are I think the best around. Once get things settled around here, I would like to make an appointment to come up to talk about some other issues, but I have been doing nothing, but singing the praises of you The entire organization to everyone that I speak with.
    - R.R.
    “The compassion shown to us by not only the three of you, but everyone to whom we encountered at Fellerman & Ciarimboli was off the charts and so sincere.”

    There are no adequate words to convey to you, Mike, and Ed how grateful our family is for all of your hard work in helping us through the most difficult time of our lives. Your commitment to justice is unlike anything we have ever witnessed. Our tragedy became your tragedy. The three of you have become part of our family.

    Harry, you explained everything necessary in terms which were comprehensible and helpful to us to better understand all that was presented. We are so grateful for that.

    The compassion shown to us by not only the three of you, but everyone to whom we encountered at Fellerman & Ciarimboli was off the charts and so sincere.

    We will grieve our profound loss for the rest of our lives, but all of you helped to make it a bit easier, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    God's Blessings to you and your family.

    - Client
    “Happy that I chose you to take my case. Your team is amazing, too!”
    Molly, Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much you mean to me, throughout this process, you have always been there and helped me through. I am glad it all came to a good ending and that it is over. But, I will miss you and you will always be referred to anyone that ever asks me for an amazing lawyer! Keep fighting for the people who need you! You are amazing at what you do, you're professional and genuine! I wish you all the best in your career and am happy that I chose you to take my case. Your team is amazing, too!
    - Nicole W.
    “I was in a bad accident and I had my daughter in the car with me. I highly recommend this firm.”
    I was in a bad accident and I had my daughter in the car with me. I highly recommend this firm. My attorney Myer Messinger was very compassionate and offered empathy with helping me and my daughter with the mental agony we experienced after the accident. Mr Messinger is very professional and knowledgeable. We sat for hours for the mediation and he fought to get me the best settlement
    - Enide Jerome
    “Very Informative & Helpful”
    “Corey Suda was our attorney as well as Ed Ciarimboli and they were both great, very informative, helpful, stayed in contact with us throughout our case. Very happy with the outcome of the case!!”
    - Debbie C.