Estate Planning Lawyer: What Documents Does a Broomall, PA Estate Plan Include? A 2026 Checklist
If you live in Broomall, PA, or the surrounding Marple Township area, this checklist covers the five core documents every estate plan may need in 2026. Working with our estate planning lawyers serving Broomall, PA, can help you get the right paperwork in place before a health or family crisis forces the issue. Call us at (610) 789-0800 to schedule a consultation.
The Five Core Estate Planning Documents in Pennsylvania
1. Last Will and Testament
A will names your executor, directs how your assets are distributed, and may allow you to nominate a guardian for minor children. Without one, Pennsylvania's intestacy laws decide who inherits, and those rules may not reflect your wishes.
2. Revocable Living Trust
A revocable living trust lets assets pass to beneficiaries without going through probate. This can be especially useful for Broomall homeowners who want property transfers to remain private and efficient.
3. Durable Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney authorizes a trusted person to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. Pennsylvania law requires the document to be signed, witnessed by two people, and notarized before institutions will honor it. Without it, your family may need a court order just to pay your bills.
4. Healthcare Proxy (Healthcare Power of Attorney)
A healthcare proxy appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf when you cannot. It must be signed while you are of sound mind and witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries. Having this document available can make a real difference in an emergency near Delaware County facilities like Riddle Hospital.
5. Living Will (Advance Directive)
A living will states your preferences for end-of-life care. Pennsylvania recognizes a combined form that pairs it with a healthcare power of attorney into one advance directive, removing the burden of guessing from your loved ones.
What Happens Without a Will in Pennsylvania?
Without a will, state intestacy rules determine who inherits, and a court appoints an administrator rather than an executor you chose. That formula often produces outcomes families would not have selected, adding stress during an already hard time. Consulting our estate planning lawyers before this situation arises is one of the most valuable steps you can take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need All Five Documents?
Most Pennsylvania adults benefit from at least a will, a durable power of attorney, and a healthcare directive. Your individual circumstances will determine the right combination, and our estate planning lawyers can walk you through each option.
Can I Update These Documents After They Are Signed?
Yes. You can revise or revoke these documents as your life changes. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant shift in assets are common reasons to revisit your plan.
Does a Living Will Override a Healthcare Proxy?
No. Both documents work together. The living will states your treatment preferences, while the healthcare proxy names the person authorized to carry them out.
Start Your Estate Plan in Broomall, PA, Today
Planning ahead gives your family the protection they deserve. At Devine Law Associates, P.C., we have served clients across Delaware County and the greater Philadelphia area for more than 20 years. Request an appointment online at a time that works for you. Call (610) 789-0800 to get started.
