Meet Your Estate Planning Goals With Us
At the Law Office of Adam S. Bernick, we focus on all aspects of estate planning. An attorney with nearly two decades of experience, our principal lawyer, Adam S. Bernick, has developed a great deal of insight into the planning needs of families who hope to preserve assets for the future and minimize estate and gift taxes. Mr. Bernick is particularly skilled in developing plans for complex or high-income estates.
To speak with Philadelphia estate planning lawyer Adam Bernick, we invite you to contact the Law Office of Adam S. Bernick to schedule a free consultation: 215-645-7866.
A Broad Range Of Estate Planning Services
Our Philadelphia estate planning law firm provides a wide range of estate planning services and tools. These include:
- Writing wills and updating them for major life changes
- Power of attorney
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITS)
- Charitable trusts, including charitable remainder annuity trusts and charitable unit trusts
- Educational trusts
- Revocable living trusts
- Minor’s trusts
- Court-appointed guardianship for a minor in estate matters when there is no trust
- Trusts for those with special needs
- Family partnerships
- Generation succession plans
- Advance directives (living wills)
- Credit shelters
- Prenuptial agreements
- Establishing guardianships
In all of these, our estate planning attorney will provide thorough and sensitive assistance. Working closely with you, we will evaluate your assets, discuss how you want those assets to be distributed and develop a distribution plan.
When Should You Create Or Update An Estate Plan In Pennsylvania?
You should create an estate plan in Pennsylvania as soon as you have assets, dependents or specific wishes about how your property should be handled if something happens to you. A basic estate plan can:
- Distribute your assets according to your intentions
- Name guardians for your minor children
- Appoint a trusted loved one to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated
Even younger adults can benefit from having essential documents in place, including a will, power of attorney and healthcare directives.
It is also important to review your estate plan after any major life change. Events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child, the death of a beneficiary, moving to another state or changes in tax laws can all affect whether your plan still works as intended.
What Does An Estate Plan Include In Pennsylvania?
An estate plan usually includes several legal documents that work together to protect your assets and carry out your wishes. The will serves as the cornerstone of your plan, outlining your property distribution after death. Many adults also use trusts to manage assets, avoid probate and provide more control over when and how their beneficiaries can inherit property.
Depending on your specific goals and circumstances, your plan may also include beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies and payable-on-death accounts, which can transfer assets directly to chosen individuals.
Besides planning for what happens after death, an estate plan can also address decision-making during your lifetime. For instance, a financial power of attorney lets someone you trust handle money and property matters if you become unable to do so, while a living will explains your preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care. Together, these tools help reduce confusion, avoid unnecessary court battles and safeguard your family’s future.
Estate Planning For High-Asset Estates
Estate planning for complex or high-asset estates in Pennsylvania often requires more than a basic will. When a person owns substantial wealth, multiple real estate properties or investment accounts, the planning process must account for how those assets will be managed, protected and transferred. High-asset estates may also involve more complicated family dynamics or blended families that require careful structuring to avoid disputes and preserve value. In these situations, individuals often use trusts, buy-sell agreements and beneficiary designations to create a smoother transition and gain greater control over property distribution.
Charitable giving can also play a role, allowing individuals to support causes they care about while also providing tax benefits. Families who want to transfer wealth over time can prepare estate planning tools to support their children and grandchildren and create a long-term plan that reflects both financial goals and personal values.
Our Approach To Estate Planning
At the Law Office of Adam S. Bernick, our objective is to create an estate plan that preserves your assets’ value, minimizes estate taxes and honors your intentions.
Because we work to develop long-term relationships with our clients, we also provide follow-up services for our estate planning clients. These services include creating robust wills, answering probate and trust administration questions, resolving will contests and other estate disputes and providing executor or fiduciary services for an estate or trust. We are there to serve our clients and their families throughout the duration of the estate.
Contact Us To Talk With A Skilled Estate Planning Lawyer
To schedule your free initial consultation, call the firm at 215-645-7866 or send an email. Whether creating a simple will, expanding your estate plan to include Medicaid planning or other elder law issues or administering an estate, we are here to help.