John B. Whalen Law Blog

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Be aware of a few basic pointers when facing the decisions to be made with respect to your Estate Planning.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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Be aware that Estate Law is a very broad term and the most Estate Law problems may have more to do with people and situations than law and documents.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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Be aware that your Fiduciary Positions are the person(s) in charge of your Estate Planning documents.

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The USA PATRIOT Act virtually overhauled the account-opening process at financial institutions.

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Be aware that a Will - depending on how tour assets are titled or owned - may not dispose of all of your assets at your death.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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Be aware that a Power of Attorney must comply with PA law - and contain a Notice page and an Acknowledgment page - as of April, 2000.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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Be extremely cautious of "Living Trusts" in PA (as well as those who purport to extol their virtues).

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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A very common misunderstanding with a Living Will is that your doctor will, or must, follow your directions.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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The Fiduciaries of all of your Estate Planning documents (i.e., Agent under Power of Attorney, Surrogate under Living Will, Executor under Will, etc.) should possess certain "traits" in order to ensure that they are proper choices for your documents. 

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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Be aware that, as of January 1, 2005, Common law marriage has been abolished in Pennsylvania.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

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