Estate Planning
Legal Information

This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Estate Planning issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Power of Attorney
Information from Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. about what a power of attorney is and when you should use one. (August 2008)
Special Needs Trust
Northwestern Legal Services provides an overview of what a Special Needs Trust is, who needs one, and how to get one. (October 2018)
Living Trusts
This publication from the Erie County Bar Association outlines what a living trust is, who needs one, advantages and disadvantages of having one, as well as myths and scams involving living trusts. (February 2019)
Beware of Living Trust Scams
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General on scams related to the establishment of living trusts.
Financial Power of Attorney
This publication from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides general information about powers of attorney. [PDF] (February 2018)
Estate Planning for Families of Persons with Disabilities (PDF)
This booklet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to inform families of persons with disabilities about various kinds of estate plans, to suggest the advantages and disadvantages of each, and to assist you in identifying the kind of information to gather and share with your lawyer. It focuses on the unique problems of estate planning for families with members who have disabilities and is not intended to cover all aspects of estate planning. (February 2018)
Disability Rights Pennsylvania Resource Publications
Publications from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on a variety of disability-related issues.
Guardianship in Pennsylvania
The purpose of this booklet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania is to describe Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures to persons with disabilities, their parents, service providers, advocates, and friends. [PDF] (February 2018)