PRACTICE AREAS
ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
LEGAL SERVICES
Estate Administration Lawyers Proudly Serving the Stroudsburg, Brodheadsville, and Pocono Summit Areas and Beyond
ABOUT OUR PRACTICE
POCONO ESTATE ADMINISTRATION ATTORNEYS
Administering the estate of someone who has passed away can involve significant legal, financial, and personal responsibilities. Executors, administrators, trustees, and family members may need to address court filings, outstanding debts, taxes, property, beneficiary questions, and the distribution of assets.
MHK Attorneys provides experienced estate administration guidance to clients throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our team assists with probate, estate administration, Pennsylvania inheritance taxes, trust administration, asset distribution, and other matters that arise after a death.
Whether the estate is straightforward or involves complex assets, real estate, tax concerns, creditor claims, or disagreements among beneficiaries, MHK is here to help. Our attorneys explain each responsibility, identify required deadlines, and help personal representatives move the estate toward completion.
Our compassionate team understands that handling legal and financial matters while grieving can feel overwhelming. We provide clear guidance and dependable legal support throughout every stage of the administration process.
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Estate Administration
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WHAT WE HANDLE
ESTATE ADMINISTRATION SERVICES
Probate and Estate Administration
Navigate the probate process, address estate obligations, and distribute assets with guidance through the steps of settling a loved one’s estate.
PA Inheritance Taxes
Identify potential Pennsylvania inheritance tax obligations, prepare required filings, and address applicable deadlines.
WILL CONTESTS & ESTATE DISPUTES
Get legal guidance for disputes involving a will’s validity, estate distributions, or the actions of an executor or administrator.
TRUST ADMINISTRATION
Navigate trustee responsibilities, manage trust assets, and distribute property to beneficiaries according to the trust’s terms and applicable law.
ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PROCESS
FROM FIRST STEPS TO FINAL DISTRIBUTION
Administering an estate can involve court filings, assets, debts, taxes, and beneficiary distributions. MHK Attorneys can help you understand each responsibility and move the estate toward completion.
FIRST STEPS
STEP 01
Locating the Will and Gathering Information
The process often begins by locating the original will, death certificate, financial records, property information, and other important documents.
OPENING THE ESTATE
STEP 02
Beginning Probate and Appointing a Personal Representative
Court filings may be required to open the estate and formally authorize an executor or administrator to act on its behalf.
ACCOUNTS AND NOTICES
STEP 03
Opening Estate Accounts and Notifying Institutions
The personal representative may need to obtain a tax identification number, open an estate account, and notify banks, insurers, beneficiaries, and other parties.
ESTATE ASSETS
STEP 04
Identifying, Securing, and Valuing Assets
Real estate, financial accounts, personal property, business interests, and other assets must be located, protected, and properly valued.
DEBTS AND CLAIMS
STEP 05
Addressing Debts and Creditor Claims
Estate expenses, valid debts, and creditor claims must be reviewed and handled before remaining assets can be distributed.
TAXES AND FILINGS
STEP 06
Handling PA Inheritance Taxes and Required Filings
Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns and other required tax or court filings must be prepared accurately and submitted by applicable deadlines.
ACCOUNTING AND DISTRIBUTION
STEP 07
Preparing the Final Accounting and Distributing Assets
After obligations are addressed, the estate can be accounted for and remaining assets distributed according to the will or applicable law.
CLOSING THE ESTATE
STEP 08
Completing Final Documents and Closing the Estate
Final receipts, approvals, court documents, and other records may be needed to complete administration and formally close the estate.
LEGAL SUPPORT
PROBATE AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
When someone passes away, the person responsible for the estate may need to locate important documents, secure property, identify assets, notify interested parties, address debts and taxes, and distribute the remaining estate to beneficiaries.
MHK Attorneys helps executors, administrators, trustees, and families understand these responsibilities. We provide legal guidance through probate and estate administration while helping clients meet required obligations and move the estate toward an orderly resolution.
Personal Representative Guidance
Helping executors and administrators understand and fulfill their legal responsibilities.
Estate Assets and Obligations
Identifying estate property and addressing debts, expenses, taxes, and creditor claims.
Beneficiary Distribution
Preparing for the proper distribution of estate or trust assets to beneficiaries.
GUIDANCE WHEN IT MATTERS
ESTATE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT.
CLARITY AT EVERY STEP.
Settling an estate can be complicated, especially while your family is grieving. Experienced legal guidance can help you understand your responsibilities, meet important deadlines, and move forward with confidence.
OUR TEAM
MEET OUR ATTORNEYS
CONNIE J. MERWINE
JD • CPA • LLM • MLA
MARSHALL M. HANYON
JD • ESQ
COMMON QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Estate planning is the process of legally organizing and planning for the distribution of assets and property after death. It can also involve planning for incapacity and important medical decisions.
Probate is the court supervised legal process used to validate a will when required, appoint a personal representative, resolve estate obligations, and oversee the distribution of estate assets.
An executor is generally the person nominated in a will to manage the estate. An administrator is appointed by the court when there is no will, the will does not nominate an available executor, or another appointment is necessary.
Responsibilities may include locating the will, opening the estate, identifying and protecting assets, notifying interested parties, addressing debts and taxes, maintaining records, and distributing property according to the will or applicable law.
The timeline depends on the estate’s size, assets, debts, tax obligations, court requirements, and whether disputes arise. Some estates can be resolved relatively efficiently, while more complicated estates may take considerably longer.
When someone dies without a valid will, Pennsylvania intestacy laws generally determine who inherits the estate. The court may also appoint an administrator to manage the estate.
An advanced healthcare directive, often called a living will, specifies healthcare preferences if a person becomes incapacitated and cannot make their own medical decisions.
The personal representative identifies estate obligations and uses available estate assets to pay valid debts, expenses, and taxes before distributing the remaining property to beneficiaries.
Estate tax is a tax imposed on the transfer of a person's assets and property upon death. Proper planning can help minimize the tax burden on your estate and beneficiaries.
You should consider contacting an attorney soon after a loved one’s death, particularly if you have been named as executor, believe you may need to open an estate, have questions about a will or trust, or are concerned about deadlines, taxes, debts, property, or beneficiary disputes.
