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Wills Attorneys in Berks County, PA

A will is a critical document in any estate plan. This legally-binding document is vital for preserving assets and achieving many other family and financial objectives. However, the process of drafting and executing a will is not as straightforward as it may seem. That is why you’ll need a skilled wills attorney to help you draft a customized estate plan tailored to your specific needs and goals.  

If you need assistance with preparing a will or resolving disputes that may arise when executing or probating a will, our attorneys at Curran Estate & Elder Law, PLLC, can help. Our wills attorneys based in Berks County, PA, are dedicated to providing competent and reliable representation to clients throughout Berks County and surrounding counties.

Overview of Wills  

A will is a valuable estate planning document that allows you to explain how you want your assets to be distributed after your death. With a will, which is also known as a last will and testament, you can provide instructions for distributing your real property, financial assets, and belongings after you pass away.  

There are several types of wills that can be used to accomplish different objectives. Common types of wills include: 

Testamentary wills. This is the traditional will, also known as a simple will, which outlines what should happen to your assets after the testator’s death. These wills are prepared in advance during the testator’s lifetime and signed in the presence of witnesses to be valid.  

Holographic wills. These wills are documents written by hand. However, not all states recognize handwritten wills as valid, except when written in emergency situations as a last resort.  

Oral wills. Orals wills are wills that are made verbally but not written out. However, most states, including Pennsylvania, do not recognize oral wills as valid.  

Mutual wills. A mutual will is made by at least two people (most often by spouses) and represents two separate documents that are largely the same in content.  

Pour-over wills. A pour-over will is a document that ensures that your assets are automatically transferred to your trust when you die.  

A typical will covers the following elements:  

  1. The distribution of assets. You can provide detailed instructions to ensure that your assets are distributed to the intended beneficiaries according to your wishes.  
  2. Naming the executor. In a last will and testament, you can name the executor of your estate. The executor will represent your estate during probate after your death.  
  3. Guardianship. If you have minor children, you can use your will to name a guardian who would take care of your children in the event of your passing.  

Everyone’s life is unique, which is why what to include in a will depends on your financial situation, family dynamics, and other circumstances. At Curran Estate & Elder Law, PLLC, our wills attorneys help clients in Berks County and throughout the state of Pennsylvania draft a will tailored to their specific goals and needs. We strongly believe that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to creating a will. That is why our estate planning attorneys are focused on providing personalized solutions to every client.  

Why Having a Will Is Important  

Having a will is important for a wide range of reasons. Some of the reasons why it is crucial to draft a last will and testament include: 

  • Simplify the probate process. While having a will does not necessarily avoid probate, it can simplify the process.   
  • Ensure that your assets go to the right people. If you die without a will, which is known as “dying intestate,” your assets will be distributed to your heirs according to your state’s intestate succession laws.  
  • Make sure that someone you trust will take care of your kids. A will allows you to assign a guardian for your children. Thus, having a will gives you peace of mind knowing that someone you trust will care for your children if something happens to you.  
  • Save your loved ones money and prevent conflicts. If you die with a will, you can save your loved ones significant expense and prevent unnecessary conflicts and disputes over who should inherit what.  

Anyone can benefit from creating a will, regardless of their age, marital status, health, or wealth. If you are ready to get started, it is important that you seek legal counsel before creating any legal documents. An experienced wills attorney will help you draft a comprehensive and enforceable will that meets your unique needs.  

Difference Between a Will and a Trust  

Because wills and trusts perform a similar function—they name beneficiaries for your property— these two estate planning tools serve different specific purposes. Some of the key differences between a will and a trust include: 

  • Wills go through probate, while assets held in a trust do not have to be probated 
  • Trusts become effective immediately, while wills do not go into effect until after the testator’s death 
  • Will proceedings are public record, while trust proceedings are confidential 
  • Trusts might require more upkeep and maintenance than wills  

If you cannot decide if you should create a will or a trust, speak with a knowledgeable estate planning to understand your options. However, just because a will and a trust are different does not necessarily mean you have to choose only one. Instead, a will and a trust can complement each other to make a comprehensive estate plan.

Couple filling out their wills form

Wills Attorneys Serving Reading, Pennsylvania  

Planning for your future can be intimidating and overwhelming. That is why you’ll need the assistance of an experienced attorney to tackle estate planning. We pride ourselves on our ability to serve clients’ estate planning needs in a personal and individualized manner. If you need help creating a will in Berks County, PA, contact our wills attorneys at Curran Estate & Elder Law, PLLC.

A Team That Truly Cares

Our attorneys take pride in helping you make the right decisions for your family and your future.

Schedule time to Talk with our Team Today

Client Success Stories

The staff is always extremely pleasant and helpful. Rose Kennedy does a fabulous job of taking the time to explain everything, more than once if need be, and willing to answer any questions.
Lisa Care
Lisa Care
September 1, 2023.
They were very kind and helpful to my brother and me. They took the time to review our situation and offered us options. Highly recommend their services!!! Thanks. 😎
Kurt Manderbach
Kurt Manderbach
September 1, 2023.
This lawfirm is excellent. They are so knowledgeable and experienced in estate planning. Sarah at the front desk is responsive, welcoming and helpful. Rose Kennedy is a top notch attorney with a strong attention to detail, very knowledgeable in her field, great at presenting information in an easy to understand manner and very compassionate. We highly recommend Curran.
Leo and Lily
Leo and Lily
August 22, 2023.
When my father passed away in March 2022, I had never lost an immediate family member, and I was unprepared for the deluge of paperwork that followed. I also was not prepared for the way that grief would make simple things extra difficult. Luckily, my dad had set up a trust with Sean Curran’s guidance in 2016. It not only protected his assets, but it allowed us to work with Rose Kennedy and Angela Young for the estate administration. I truly do not know what we would have done without the kindness and guidance of Rose and Angela. I will never forget talking with Rose from the bathroom of my dad’s hospice room. It was far past office hours, but she was calmly determined to help me understand what steps I needed to take next. She even texted me after the call with detailed instructions in case I was unable to remember because of my emotional state. My gratitude for her compassion and patience continued to grow throughout the following year as she and Angela continuously went above and beyond to help us with every challenge that arose as we sold our dad’s house, filed inheritance taxes, and encountered numerous other tasks that I never could have figured out without their step-by-step guidance. I will always have a special place in my heart for the calmness that Rose and Angela brought me throughout the overwhelming and emotional process of losing a parent. Every person I’ve encountered at Curran Estate and Elder Law has been professional, helpful, and kind. I can’t imagine going through this process without their support and wisdom. Thank you!
Cindi Delinsky
Cindi Delinsky
July 29, 2023.
Curran Estate & Elder Law handled my fathers estate for me. They were incredibly helpful and answered all of my questions. I did very little, everything was completed by them. I would strongly suggest if your looking for an Attorney to handle your parents affairs, give Curran Estate & Elder Law a call!
KIM STRICKER
KIM STRICKER
July 26, 2023.
I would highly recommend Curran Estate Elder Care. They guided and helped with our estate planning, protection of assets, writing of our wills, power of attorney documentation and also care management for my spouse. They offer a great support system. Great people to work with.
Lil Myers
Lil Myers
July 20, 2023.
They are very efficient at helping their clients get the best and affordable help for families that need help. I would recommend them all around, especially for the elderly that cannot help themselves. they help me get poa of my mom when no one else would help. Hospital would say that she is not capable of having a POA at the time on hospice. Well, they wrong because my mother understood and signed forms thank you so very much Joyce and Tiffani
Tiffani Grendell
Tiffani Grendell
July 18, 2023.
Quite simply the best Elder Law in Berks. Professional, ethical and kind from start to finish. We had gotten our Will's and PoA's done with Curran a couple years ago, then when my father's health took a down turn, they were the obvious choice for managing the transition of his care, and then eventually with handling the administration of his will , probate and the dozens of other details that no one tells you about. I couldn't imagine having to do all of that on my own. Big thanks to the Rose, Susan, Angela and the whole team at Curran.
Adam Wentling
Adam Wentling
July 18, 2023.
As executor of estate, Curran has guided me step-by-step through the process in a professional and efficient manner. Their approach is friendly as they have patiently answered all my questions with clear explanations which make my duties simple and easy to carry out.
David & Alison Zezenski
David & Alison Zezenski
June 16, 2023.
My mother and I met with Rose Kennedy at Curran Estate & Elder Law, PLLC. Rose and her team were wonderful! Sarah greeted us promptly and escorted us to the conference room. She was very gracious. Rose demonstrated compassion, kindness, and understanding. She explained the documents clearly and answered all our questions. I highly recommend Rose and the team who responded quickly. They acted with professionalism and compassion. They have a heart. I had contacted other estate and elder firms in Berks County, and they did not even respond. Call Curran they will respond and help you.
Diana Vavreck
Diana Vavreck
May 25, 2023.
Curran Estate & Elder Law, PLLC

1212 Liggett Ave.
Reading, PA 19611

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