YOUR LEGAL INSIGHT COVELLI & PISCIONE LAW OFFICES, P.C. SUCCESSION MISCONCEPTIONS: DYING WITHOUT A WILL IN PENNSYLVANIA As experienced Estate Planning Attorneys, one of the most widely held misconceptions from married clients is that they do not need a Will because their spouse will automatically be entitled to inherit everything. Many Clients, particularly those with young children or blended families, are shocked to learn that it is not necessarily true that the spouse will be entitled to the entire Estate. Depending on the makeup of the individual's family, the surviving spouse may only be entitled to one-half of the probate property. are several important considerations. Funds held for minor beneficiaries require careful recordkeeping, as the minor may challenge the expenditure of their share of Estate Funds for up to one (1) year after their eighteenth (18th) Birthday. In some cases, minor children are appointed an independent advocate by the Court to address their interests. Additionally, the Estate Assets may be subject to additional inheritance tax when shared with parents or adult children. While certain property may pass automatically to a spouse by way of beneficiary designation or Deed, other property will become part of the Probate Estate and subject to Pennsylvania Intestacy Laws. Many people are surprised to learn that their spouse may be required to share the Estate with the deceased spouse's minor or adult children, or in some cases, the deceased spouse's parents. Further, if the beneficiaries of the intestate Estate (ie. without a Will) are minors or the decedent's parents are still alive; there Official Community Choice Awards 2025 Dying without a Last Will and Testament can also be problematic the continuity of the business is jeopardized by the Probate for self-employed and small business owners, especially if of these issues can be easily avoided with a Comprehensive process and several, potentially conflicting, beneficiaries. All Estate Plan. An experienced Estate Planning Attorney can tailor an estate plan to meet your unique objectives and account for your specific family situation. At Covelli & Piscione Law Offices, the experienced attorneys have decades of combined experience and can develop a plan to meet your needs. The Initial Consultation is free, but the peace of mind is priceless. best COVELLI PISCIONE GOLD TRIBE ALLEGHENY SOUTH WEST LAW OFFICES, P.C. &2 Attorney Natalie Piscione is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has been providing Estate Planning and Estate Administration legal services for nine years. The team of attorneys at Covelli & Piscione Law Offices are experiences in several areas of the law. For more information, call 412-653-5000 or visit, covellilaw.com FREE Consultation | Call Today! 412-653-5000 ADVERTISEMENT adno=405593 YOUR LEGAL INSIGHT COVELLI & PISCIONE LAW OFFICES , P.C. SUCCESSION MISCONCEPTIONS : DYING WITHOUT A WILL IN PENNSYLVANIA As experienced Estate Planning Attorneys , one of the most widely held misconceptions from married clients is that they do not need a Will because their spouse will automatically be entitled to inherit everything . Many Clients , particularly those with young children or blended families , are shocked to learn that it is not necessarily true that the spouse will be entitled to the entire Estate . Depending on the makeup of the individual's family , the surviving spouse may only be entitled to one - half of the probate property . are several important considerations . Funds held for minor beneficiaries require careful recordkeeping , as the minor may challenge the expenditure of their share of Estate Funds for up to one ( 1 ) year after their eighteenth ( 18th ) Birthday . In some cases , minor children are appointed an independent advocate by the Court to address their interests . Additionally , the Estate Assets may be subject to additional inheritance tax when shared with parents or adult children . While certain property may pass automatically to a spouse by way of beneficiary designation or Deed , other property will become part of the Probate Estate and subject to Pennsylvania Intestacy Laws . Many people are surprised to learn that their spouse may be required to share the Estate with the deceased spouse's minor or adult children , or in some cases , the deceased spouse's parents . Further , if the beneficiaries of the intestate Estate ( ie . without a Will ) are minors or the decedent's parents are still alive ; there Official Community Choice Awards 2025 Dying without a Last Will and Testament can also be problematic the continuity of the business is jeopardized by the Probate for self - employed and small business owners , especially if of these issues can be easily avoided with a Comprehensive process and several , potentially conflicting , beneficiaries . All Estate Plan . An experienced Estate Planning Attorney can tailor an estate plan to meet your unique objectives and account for your specific family situation . At Covelli & Piscione Law Offices , the experienced attorneys have decades of combined experience and can develop a plan to meet your needs . The Initial Consultation is free , but the peace of mind is priceless . best COVELLI PISCIONE GOLD TRIBE ALLEGHENY SOUTH WEST LAW OFFICES , P.C. & 2 Attorney Natalie Piscione is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has been providing Estate Planning and Estate Administration legal services for nine years . The team of attorneys at Covelli & Piscione Law Offices are experiences in several areas of the law . For more information , call 412-653-5000 or visit , covellilaw.com FREE Consultation | Call Today ! 412-653-5000 ADVERTISEMENT adno = 405593