How to Plan Your Funeral
Entrusted Legacy Law
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Sharek Law Office
Mar 24, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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Thinking about your funeral may not be fun, but planning
ahead can be exceedingly helpful for your family. It both lets them know
your wishes and assists them during a stressful time. The following are steps
you can take to plan ahead:
- Name
who is in charge. The first step is to designate someone to make
funeral arrangements for you. State law dictates how that appointment is
made. In some states, an informal note is enough. Other states require you
to designate someone in a formal document, such as a health care power of
attorney. If you do not designate someone, your spouse or children are
usually given the task.
- Put
your preferences in writing. Write out detailed funeral preferences as
well as the requested disposition of your remains. Would you rather be
buried or cremated? Do you want a funeral or a memorial service? Where
should the funeral or memorial be held? The document can also include
information about who should be invited, what you want to wear, who should
speak, what music should be played, and who should be pallbearers, among
other information. The writing can be a separate document or part of a
health care directive. It should not be included in your will because the
will may not be opened until long after the funeral.
- Shop
around. It is possible to make arrangements with a funeral home ahead
of time, so your family does not have to scramble to set things up while
they are grieving. Prices among funeral homes can vary greatly, so it is a
good idea to check with a few different ones before settling on the one
you want. The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires
all funeral homes to supply customers with a general price list that
details prices for all possible goods or services. The rule also
stipulates what kinds of misrepresentations are prohibited and explains
what items consumers cannot be required to purchase, among other
things.
- Inform
your family members. Make sure you tell your family members about your
wishes and let them know where you have written them down.
- Figure
out how to pay for it. Funerals are expensive, so you need to think
about how to pay for the one you want. You can pre-pay, but this is risky
because the funds can be mismanaged or the funeral home could go out of
business. Instead of paying ahead, you can set up a payable-on-death
account with your bank. Make the person who will be handling your funeral
arrangements the beneficiary (and make sure they know your plans). You
will maintain control of your money while you are alive, but when you die
it is available immediately, without having to go through probate. Another
option is to purchase a life insurance policy that is specifically for
funeral arrangements.
Taking the time to plan ahead will be a big help to your family and give you peace of mind.
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Old People Are Cool: Tyler event celebrating senior citizens to be held April 25
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82-Year-Old Philadelphia Man Runs Blazing Fast 100-Meter To Win Legendary Race In Pouring Rain
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This process is essential for: Proving the validity of a will Appointing an executor (if there is a will) or an administrator (if there is no will) Inventorying and appraising estate property Paying outstanding debts, estate taxes, and creditors Distributing assets as directed by the willor by Pennsylvania intestacy laws if no will existsIn Pennsylvania, if a deceased person owned real estate or assets solely in their name, their estate must go through probate before assets can be legally distributed.The Downsides of Pennsylvania Probateand What You Can Do NextMany residents in Allegheny County, Butler County, Beaver County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County have heard that probate is a lengthy, expensive, and public process. Unfortunately, this is truewithout proper estate planning, probate can be costly and time-consuming.The best way to avoid probate in Pennsylvania is to plan ahead using strategies such as revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership structures. However, if you are already in a position where probate is required, the best thing you can do is educate yourself and seek experienced probate legal assistance to complete the process as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.How Is a Probate Case Started in Pennsylvania?Probate can be initiated by any beneficiary or creditor, but most often, the process begins when the Executor named in the will files the original will and a petition with the Pennsylvania probate court.If there is no will, a close relative of the deceased (such as a spouse, child, or sibling) typically files the petition to become the Administrator of the Estate.Choosing the Executor for a Pennsylvania EstateIf a valid will exists, the individual named as Executor will handle the probate processif they are eligible and willingIf no Executor is available or no will exists, any interested party (such as a family member) can petition the Pennsylvania Orphans' Court to be appointed as the Administrator of the Estate.Executor Compensation in PennsylvaniaUnder Pennsylvania probate law, Executors and Administrators receive compensation based on a percentage of the total probate estate value. 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