Estate planning is one of the most important things that an individual can do throughout their life. Some of the components of a comprehensive estate plan may include a valid will, power of attorney, trusts, and advance healthcare directives. In order to ensure that a will is valid in the state of Pennsylvania, it must meet the following criteria:
- The individual who is creating the will, who is known as the testator, must be at least 18 years of age
- The testator must also be mentally competent when they create the will
- There must be two witnesses at the declaration of the will who must also sign the document
Most of the time, wills are accepted by the Pennsylvania Register of Wills after the testator passes away. However, there are situations in which a loved one may believe that the testator was not mentally competent at the time of the creation of the will. The individual who believes this may wish to contest the will. It is important to note that only beneficiaries of the will are permitted to contest it. The grounds for which a will may be contested under Pennsylvania law include forgery, improper execution, undue influence, or fraud.
Those who wish to contest a will in Pennsylvania should retain legal counsel. Contact our firm today.
Friedman Schuman is an experienced and dedicated legal resource for clients throughout Pennsylvania. We proudly serve clients facing a wide range of legal matters. If you require the services of an effective attorney, please contact Friedman Schuman Layser today to schedule a consultation.
