When someone passes away, their estate typically goes through one of two processes: probate or trust administration. These options appeal to different people for different reasons—and misinformation is common—so we receive many questions, especially on probate. Join Jeff as he explains the process of probate administration in Pennsylvania. It’s important to understand whether you’re an executor, a beneficiary, or someone planning for their family’s future.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

(00:00) Episode introduction.

(03:15) Probate is the legal process for distributing assets that are not jointly owned or attached to a beneficiary.

(04:33) Powers of attorney become invalid at the time of death.

(05:54) In Pennsylvania (PA), probate and trust administration are very similar. For probate, an executor is sworn in.

(06:37) To be sworn in, the personal representative provides their law firm (or the Register of Wills) with the death certificate and the original will.

(07:56) The executor is liable for ensuring that probate is handled correctly, so many people use a law firm.

(09:09) The law firm provides notices to heirs and creditors and determines date-of-death values for all assets.

(10:17) Making a tax prepayment within three months after death results in a 5% discount on the inheritance taxes owed. The inheritance tax return must be filed within nine months of death, but an extension, with interest, is possible.

(12:27) A partial distribution can be made. Final distributions require the signing of receipts and releases.

(14:46) A fiduciary return must be filed if there were gains in an estate account.

(18:15) Most institutions will not allow testamentary trusts under a will.

(18:45) You are not required to hire an attorney for probate, but an attorney can shoulder the work and risk for you.

(23:09) An executor is entitled to an executor’s commission.

Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/

• Life Care Planning
• The Three Secrets of Estate Planning
• Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid

For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.

Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media

Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/

X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates

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LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates

WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO

Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/

Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/

For a few days in May, Jeff Bellomo’s life painted a picture of everything that matters to him—his people, law firm, beliefs, and passions. As he reflects on those days, Jeff shares his overwhelming gratitude for his community and the people most dear to him. Tune in to hear about the whirlwind of activity and why Jeff describes this as his “favorite weekend of the year.”

Red Wagon Club Picnic photos: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Daz1HiqQi/

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

(00:00) Episode introduction.

(02:56) On Sunday, May 4, I ran the York YMCA Half Marathon. I’m not a natural runner and I experienced some bad cramping, but I cut my personal best by 20 minutes. Several of my colleagues ran, too. It was a good day for our group.

(07:20) In November, I will run the Philadelphia Marathon. As I train for 26 miles, I will carry the sense of community and support that I experienced before, during, and after the York run.

(11:55) I went to our daughter’s band concert at her high school. DeAnna had a couple of solos. I love watching her play.

(12:37) We hustled to DeAnna’s graduation from the Future Leaders of York. The memories and learning experiences will stay with her forever.

(14:16) We bring all our remote staff in for the Bellomo team picnic. I always look forward to this event.

(15:00) On Monday, we had our all-day team retreat. It gave everyone a chance to reconnect, share ideas, discuss how to better serve our clients, and engage in great team-building exercises.

(17:12) The annual Red Wagon Club Picnic featured an incredible buffet and everyone enjoyed the DJ and the photo booth. When so many of our clients come together, it’s a humbling reminder of their trust in us.

(20:51) Later this year, Red Wagon Club members will come together again to learn about the changes we're seeing in the country and the legal world.

(24:08) Congratulations to Whitney Bellomo for being named one of 12 finalists for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

ABOUT BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES

Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.

Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.

Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/

• Life Care Planning
• The Three Secrets of Estate Planning
• Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid

For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.

Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media

Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/

X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates

WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO

Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/

Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/

You’ve probably heard the saying, “A man who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.” While most of us wouldn’t go to court alone, the rise of do-it-yourself legal tool kits makes it tempting to go without professional guidance when creating an estate plan. But it’s important to understand that off-the-shelf home remedies can expose your assets to unnecessary risk and jeopardize your family’s financial future. From emotional blind spots to technical errors, even the smartest people can make costly mistakes without proper legal help. So, before you get carried away with DIY enthusiasm, tune in to learn the hidden costs and common pitfalls of do-it-yourself legal tools.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

(00:00) Episode introduction.

(02:56) When non-professionals use off-the-shelf tools to create a trust, will, power of attorney (PoA), or estate plan, strategic missteps and technical mistakes often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

(05:18) Estate planning and elder law are highly complex even for attorneys who specialize in these areas.

(07:35) Often, basic DIY legal kits don't keep pace with state-specific laws and are not able to address “what if” scenarios such as changes in marital status, unexpected death or disability, protection of government benefits, etc.

(09:21) The use of beneficiaries to avoid probate does not provide protection of assets or safeguard against mishandling of funds and property.

(11:07) Jointly owned assets can have significant tax implications.

(12:33) Long-term care eligibility and asset protection are complicated and require thoughtful, expert strategies.

(16:43) Powers of attorney should be very specific. Most DIY kits do not contain the appropriate language.

(23:23) Can you use a DIY kit and have everything turn out well? Yes, but there are many situations that a DIY kit cannot provide for—and those are the protections that a professionally created plan can anticipate.

ABOUT BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES

Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.

Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.

Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/

• Life Care Planning
• The Three Secrets of Estate Planning
• Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid

For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.

Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media

Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/

X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates

WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO

Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/

Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/