Wills and Estates
Legal Information > Information from Bar Associations and Other Legal Organizations
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about issues relating to Wills and Estates in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Wills
A Will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. It is the way that you can direct how your property will be distributed upon your death and who will be responsible for handling your affairs. A Will allows you to set forth your intentions with respect to these important decisions. If you die without a Will, you have no control over who will serve these important roles. Information on wills from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2018)
Wills for Heroes
Wills for Heroes, a program cosponsored by the PA Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, provides free basic estate planning documents to a variety of heroes, including police, fire, emergency medical personnel, other first responders, military veterans and the essential personnel we celebrated during the pandemic.
A Guide for Seniors and Their Families: Issues on Aging
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association [PDF]
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]
The handbook from the Pennsylvania Bar Association provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (2016-2017) [PDF Format, 83 pages]
Collaborative Law
Consumer legal information brochure from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Collaborative Law, a dispute resolution process that is an alternative to litigation. Rev. 1/13 [PDF]
Estate Planning
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. (February 2013)
Inheritance and Estate Taxes
Information on inheritance and estate taxes from the Erie County Bar Association (February 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)
Small Estates
Information on small estates from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2019)
The Truth About Probate and Living Trusts in Pennsylvania [PDF]
The ACBA produced this booklet to alleviate the confusion about living trusts and probate, and to protect consumers from purchasing a product that might not be right for them. The booklet answers questions about probate, such as: What is Probate? What are the costs of Probate? Does Probate take a long time? The booklet also answers questions about a living trust, such as: Why am I now hearing so much about living trusts? Do I need a living trust? (2009)
Trusts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association about using a Trust in personal estate planning and business planning. (August 2018)
Wills
A Will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. It is the way that you can direct how your property will be distributed upon your death and who will be responsible for handling your affairs. A Will allows you to set forth your intentions with respect to these important decisions. If you die without a Will, you have no control over who will serve these important roles. Information on wills from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2018)
Wills for Heroes
Wills for Heroes, a program cosponsored by the PA Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, provides free basic estate planning documents to a variety of heroes, including police, fire, emergency medical personnel, other first responders, military veterans and the essential personnel we celebrated during the pandemic.