When you marry someone with a child from a previous relationship, you become their stepparent. This is not a legal parental relationship, however. To become a legal parent of your spouse's child, you need to adopt the child through stepparent adoption. Ideally, every...
Who receives life insurance benefits after a divorce?
Most people in Pennsylvania with life insurance policies have a beneficiary named on these assets, often their spouse, who will receive the benefits should the policyholder pass away. Many people name a beneficiary, but soon after do not give it a second thought....
What are the duties of the executor of an estate?
Being appointed the executor of a loved one's estate is an honor. However, it can also cause confusion, especially if one does not have any experience in estate administration in Pennsylvania. It can be intimidating, to say the least. Essentially, though, the executor...
Including dogs in your estate planning
When Pennsylvania pet owners are planning the distribution of their assets prior to their death, many do not take their dogs into account. Canines tend to have significantly shorter life spans than humans, so it is easy to assume that Fido will pass away before you...
What duties does a personal representative have in Pennsylvania?
Losing a loved one is an emotional process. When people are grieving, they may not initially be thinking of what will happen to their loved one's assets. However, there are legalities that must be followed with regards to the distribution of the deceased's assets....
