Estate Planning

At Klenk Law, we don’t do this part-time; we are laser-focused on Estate Planning. We will provide you with a well-crafted estate plan that protects loved ones, saves money, and avoids costly litigation. Though licensed in many states, we focus our work on Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

We are your Philadelphia Metro Area Estate Planning Attorneys; It’s What We Do!

What is Estate Planning? It is just the process of getting you the right plan. We can do this for you by listening to your story and then helping explain what plan fits your situation well. 

Our Estate Planning Process; Efficient and Easy

Our goal is to be as efficient and time conscious as possible. While your situation may require a different method, typically, we can assist a client using these steps.

• Please set up a Phone Call or Meeting: We set up a time to meet or speak on the phone. I know you are busy, so I will try to complete the task on the phone if possible.
• Preparation: Tmaximizeof our time, send me your information by completing our online questionnaire beforehand.
• Estate Planning Questionnaire: Don’t worry; most people don’t get much past filling in their names. The more you give me, the more efficiently I can make our time together.
• Our Initial Call or Meeting: During the call or meeting, we will discuss your unique situation and what type of plan fits your needs. We often decide on a project, and I send you a summary and an exact fee quote. If you agree, instruct me to proceed, and I will start drafting. Easy! We then find time to review and sign the documents. Whatever and whenever is most convenient for you.

What We Will Talk About

You will have your specific concerns, but typically we will talk about a plan that addresses the following issues:

If you are looking for an Estate Planning Lawyer in New Jersey or an Estate Planning Attorney in Pennsylvania, you found them! 

Should you be a single person leaving your assets all to charity, then a simple will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will might be enough. If you have minor children, you will likely need to name a Guardian for your children should you die and a Temporary Guardian to step in if you ever have a medical emergency and need someone with the legal right to take your children home from the hospital. There are plans for people with large IRAs, people with real estate in more than one state, and even people in blended families. 

Your situation is unique; let’s brainstorm.

Example: Bob and Linda are in a second marriage, and each has children from their first marriage. Linda sold her house, and she now lives in Bob’s home. If Bob dies first, he wants Linda to live in the house, so he is thinking about putting her name on the deed. But, he wants to ensure that the house goes back to his children at her death.

We brainstormed with Bob and Linda. Putting Linda’s name on the deed is simple but presents potential problems. Should Bob die first, the house passes to Linda. The house could be lost if she had creditors, leaving nothing for Bob’s children. Further, Bob only wanted Linda to live in the house. If she moved to a retirement home and Linda’s name were on the deed, she would still own the house even if she didn’t live there. 

Answer: After some brainstorming, Bob and Linda agreed. We drafted a new Will for Bob. In the Will, at Bob’s death, his Will forms a trust for the h use. The trust gives Linda the right to live in the house during her lifetime as long as she uses it as her primary residence and pays all utility bills. This way, if Linda decided to move from the house, the house is sold, and the proceeds pass to Bob’s children free of any creditors that Linda may have. Further  the house is not tied up for years if Linda is not using it as her primary home  if Linda did has any creditors, she could live in the house rent-free.  A benefit for Linda and the children being that they don’t have to watch the other with suspicion; the rules and obligations are clearly spelled out.

There usually is an way to address everyone’s concerns. Let’s talk!

It’s All We Do!