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12/10/2024 10:59:42 PM EDT
What’s the typical path for estate planning? Looking into power of attorney, healthcare directive, will, asset protection, etc…
12/10/2024 11:07:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: vim][Edited] [#1]
Get local attorney recommendations from friends and neighbors who've done it.  All the stuff you mention is common as a package deal.

And you'll hear a lot about setting up a trust.  Do that.
It's all part of life's rich pageant.
12/11/2024 5:45:44 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Homesteader375][Edited] [#2]
Before you meet with a lawyer, take some time to collect all of the information you need... names of decision makers, list of assets, property feeds deeds, insurance policy documents, etc. If you're prepared for the meeting you'll have fewer follow up meetings and it will cost less.

Edit because typing is hard
12/11/2024 12:44:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: wildearp][Edited] [#3]
Find an estate attorney.  Their main purpose is to keep your things out of probate.  They will also have things covered that you may not have even thought of.  A good trust will have a pour-over will and living will.

Good estate attorneys will give a class to a group to get you on the right path, for free.  Mine gave a discount for attending the course.  

My wealth manager has their own in-house estate attorneys.  It is nice having a one stop shop.  

It was nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be.  Wife hounded me for years to set one up, glad it is done.
Preferred pronoun: MARINE
12/11/2024 10:58:44 PM EDT
[Last Edit: msprain10][Edited] [#4]
Quote History
Originally Posted By wildearp:
Find an estate attorney.  Their main purpose is to keep your things out of probate.  They will also have things covered that you may not have even thought of.  A good trust will have a pour-over will and living will.

Good estate attorneys will give a class to a group to get you on the right path, for free.  Mine gave a discount for attending the course.  

My wealth manager has their own in-house estate attorneys.  It is nice having a one stop shop.  

It was nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be.  Wife hounded me for years to set one up, glad it is done.
View Quote


So I attended a seminar workshop and learnt quite a bit. At the end, two packages were offered.

One was a foundational package that created a will, POA, and a healthcare directive. That was a flat fee of $1500.

The other package was the foundational package but also included asset protection in the form of creating trusts. This package had a flat fee cost of $5500.

Although the lawyer seemed solid, the package pricing seemed high so I’m going to see if I can get some other lawyers/firms estimates to see if the above prices are par for the service.
12/14/2024 9:38:47 AM EDT
[#5]
Was anything discussed about how to avoid PA's state inheritance tax?

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/resources/tax-types-and-information/inheritance-tax.html

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/revenue/documents/taxtypes/inheritancetax/documents/inheritance_tax_qa.pdf

https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/revenue/documents/formsandpublications/formsforindividuals/inheritancetax/documents/rev-584.pdf
Heller II - Challenging DC's bans on semi-automatic rifles, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and its onerous and expensive handgun registration process. http://www.HellerFoundation.org/
12/14/2024 10:51:39 AM EDT
[#6]
We went to an attorney specializing in this.

It was more involved and expensive than I expected but I’m glad it’s done.
If you are wearing a Lab Coat and safety glasses you can't get hurt
12/17/2024 10:54:01 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History


He made it sound like paying inheritance tax (4.5%) is the cheapest way around it without losing all control or screwing the children over.

I believe he said using a revocable trust would avoid probate (high lawyer fees) but not resolve the concern of asset protection in regards to the Medicare 5 year look back.
12/17/2024 10:54:40 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Originally Posted By sgtgeo:
We went to an attorney specializing in this.

It was more involved and expensive than I expected but I’m glad it’s done.
View Quote


What was expensive? Was it in the range that I was quoted, $5500?
12/18/2024 3:22:54 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote History
Originally Posted By msprain10:


So I attended a seminar workshop and learnt quite a bit. At the end, two packages were offered.

One was a foundational package that created a will, POA, and a healthcare directive. That was a flat fee of $1500.

The other package was the foundational package but also included asset protection in the form of creating trusts. This package had a flat fee cost of $5500.

Although the lawyer seemed solid, the package pricing seemed high so I’m going to see if I can get some other lawyers/firms estimates to see if the above prices are par for the service.
View Quote


Those prices are insanely high.

I have an attorney who normally bills at $475 and he did a POA/Health/Will for 2 people for $850.

As mentioned, PA inheritance tax is very high for non next of kin. 15% when I was executor of a will 10 years ago.

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