Estate Planning Attorney in York County, PA

Do I Need an Estate Plan if I Already Have a Will?

Will readings are a common trope in popular culture. Many television shows and movies feature key scenes set at will readings, during which individuals learn shocking secrets about a departed loved one or eagerly anticipate an inheritance. The truth is often far less exciting. Most will readings are straightforward legal procedures in which the contents of a will are read aloud and an executor is designated. In many instances, a will reading may be the final resolution of a loved one’s last affairs. However, for many people, wills are insufficient to ensure their loved ones are cared for after death.

The reason for this is that wills are straightforward documents. While wills may be valuable for naming an executor and handling other “big picture” matters such as child custody and funeral arrangements, they are often insufficient to handle a large or complex estate. This is why many individuals choose to estate plan. While wills may be part of an estate plan, they are only one component of a rich and complex process that ensures maximum protection for your loved ones and the assets you wish to leave them.

This is why, if you or a loved one is drafting a will, it’s vital you consult an experienced York County estate planning attorney like Adam Inch at Keystone Heritage Law. He can help make sure that not only is your will in order, but that all of your assets and loved ones are seen after through a comprehensive estate plan.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your estate planning options and how we can help.

What is an Estate Plan?

An estate plan is a comprehensive set of legal documents that establishes your wishes for the end of life and beyond. In most instances, a will is suitable for naming an executor, establishing your funeral plans, assigning custody for minor children, and naming beneficiaries of certain assets. However, a will often cannot account for the more complex aspects of inheritance law. Wills are also only applicable once you are deceased. An estate plan also frequently includes documentation establishing your wishes should you become incapacitated. This allows your family and loved ones to make an easy transition during a difficult time.

Estate plans can include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Wills
• Living Wills
• Trusts
• Power of Attorney/Medical Power of Attorney
• Life Insurance Policies

By covering all potential bases, an estate plan seeks to ensure that your loved ones can quickly and easily inherit any assets you may wish for them to have. Estate plans also outline all of your wishes for a funeral, who you want to handle the distribution of your assets, and more. This is why, as of 2025, just under half of all Americans have an estate plan.

The death of a loved one is never an easy matter. A loved one dying without a will or a comprehensive estate plan can make this period even more challenging. That’s why it’s vital to consider estate planning and to schedule a free consultation with Keystone Heritage Law.

What is a Trust?

A trust is a type of legal arrangement that allows you to ensure your assets are easily transferred to your preferred recipient. When you establish a trust, it becomes a legal entity. You may then transfer legal ownership of money, property, goods, and other assets into the trust. The trust will be managed by a designated third-party called a trustee.

Once you have transferred ownership of your assets into the trust, you are no longer the legal owner. This way, when you die, there are no concerns about inheritance or legal ownership: the assets are already the legal property of the trust. At this point, the trustee will follow your instructions and distribute the assets accordingly.

Trusts have many advantages, the biggest being that they allow you to avoid concerns about ownership and inheritance. Trusts can also allow you to reduce taxes on your estate. 

Depending on the type of trust you establish, assets transferred into it may not count towards the value of your estate. These are only a few of the advantages of establishing a trust as part of your estate plan. Adam Inch can review your options and help you determine what type of trusts may be most beneficial for you.

What is a Living Will?

Not every component of an estate plan is intended for after you pass away. Some parts of an estate plan are designed to ease the end-of-life process. One of these components is a living will. A living will establishes your desires should you become incapacitated, such as following a surgery, stroke, or accident.

Similar to a traditional will, a living will outlines your wishes and names someone to carry them out. You will designate this person with medical power of attorney, permitting them to make significant health decisions on your behalf, according to your wishes. These wishes can include do-not-resuscitate orders or instructions to hospital staff not to take life-saving measures under certain circumstances. They can also include requests for continued medical care or instructions for organ donation. Living wills are often vital parts of estate plans that help families make complex decisions under challenging circumstances.

Speak with our York County lawyer today to learn more.

What Should I Do if I Need to Estate Plan in York County?

Developing an estate plan can be a challenging process. There’s no one “right way” to do it, but failing to include necessary components can result in difficulties with inheritance, funeral plans, and more. Many people think that drafting a will or estate plan is somehow “rushing things along” or that it somehow makes the end imminent. Nothing is further from the truth. Anyone can make an estate plan at any time, and making sure your family and loved ones are cared for is vital, regardless of your age or health.

That’s why if you or a loved one is considering estate planning in York County or Central Pennsylvania,  you must contact Adam Inch at Keystone Heritage Law. Having proudly served in the U.S. Navy, Adam knows the value of planning ahead. He understands that estate planning can be an emotionally charged and challenging process. He also understands that it’s an important step in life.

Contact Our Estate Planning Attorney in York County Today

Estate planning makes sure your wishes are carried out even when you can’t carry them out yourself, and that your loved ones will have happy memories of you for years to come. Don’t hesitate. One day, your family will thank you.

If you or a loved one is considering an estate plan, contact Adam Inch at Keystone Heritage Law today at 717-833-6053 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.