Estate Planning and Probate Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

If you are looking for a lawyer to write a will in Pennsylvania, establish a trust, or open an estate after a death, Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. prepares wills and estate plans and represents executors, administrators, and families in probate and estate administration throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We focus on clear planning, enforceable documents, and practical guidance from start to finish.

This page focuses on wills and trusts. For probate and estate administration services, see our
Estate Administration and Probate hub.

Wills and Estate Planning in Pennsylvania

A properly drafted will allows you to name fiduciaries, direct distributions, and reduce uncertainty for your family.
Estate planning may also include a durable financial power of attorney, a health care power of attorney, and related planning documents to ensure continuity during incapacity.

In some situations, a revocable living trust can provide additional control and efficiency, particularly where there are multiple assets, real estate, privacy concerns, or complex family circumstances.
We advise clients on the structure that fits the facts, and we prepare documents intended to hold up under Pennsylvania practice, not templates that create problems later.

Probate and Estate Administration in Western Pennsylvania

Estate administration is the legal process of settling a person’s affairs after death. This process includes
probate filings,
asset collection,
payment of debts and taxes, and
distribution of property
to heirs and beneficiaries in accordance with Pennsylvania law.

Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. represents executors, administrators, and family members
throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in probate and estate administration matters, from initial filings through final distribution and formal closing of the estate.

What We Handle

• Drafting wills and related estate planning documents
• Planning with revocable trusts when appropriate
• Opening probate and obtaining Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
• Guidance for executors and administrators on fiduciary duties and required steps
• Estate asset identification, collection, and coordination with financial institutions
• Real estate issues during probate, including deeds, sales coordination, and title follow up
• Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns, payment timing, and audit support
• Creditor claims, estate expenses, and dispute prevention
• Contested estate matters and Orphans’ Court proceedings when disputes arise

Probate With and Without a Will

When a person dies with a valid will, probate typically begins with a petition for Letters Testamentary filed with the Allegheny County Register of Wills. The executor named in the will is formally authorized to act on behalf of the estate.

If a person dies without a will, the estate is administered under Pennsylvania intestacy law.
A personal representative is appointed through a petition for Letters of Administration, and assets are distributed according to statutory priority.

Responsibilities of Executors and Administrators

Executors and administrators owe strict fiduciary duties, including identifying and safeguarding estate assets,
providing required notices, paying valid debts and expenses, filing tax returns, and distributing property in accordance with governing documents or law.

Failure to comply with these duties can expose fiduciaries to personal liability.
We guide clients through each step to ensure compliance and reduce risk.

Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax and Related Filings

Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to most estates and is based on the relationship between the decedent and the beneficiary.
Returns are generally due nine months after death, with a discount available for early payment.

Estate administration may also involve estate income tax filings, coordination with accountants, and asset basis reporting.

Real Estate and Closely Held Assets in Estates

Many estates include real property, family businesses, or closely held investment assets.
These assets often present valuation, management, and transfer issues during probate.

We assist with estate related real estate matters, coordination with title companies,
deed preparation, entity interests, and resolving ownership or distribution issues that arise during administration.

Contested Estates and Court Proceedings

Disputes may arise involving will challenges, fiduciary conduct, creditor claims, or disagreements among beneficiaries.

When necessary, probate and estate administration issues are addressed through Orphans’ Court proceedings or related litigation, with a focus on resolution consistent with fiduciary obligations and governing law.

Estate Planning in the Context of Real Estate and Business Interests

Many Pittsburgh families hold significant value in long-held real estate, closely held businesses, or shared family assets accumulated over decades. These situations require more than a standard will. Ownership structures, title coordination, business succession planning, and tax considerations all intersect with estate planning in ways that affect both the plan itself and how it is administered after death.

At Lebovitz & Lebovitz, we approach estate planning as part of a broader strategy — one that accounts for real estate ownership, business interests, family dynamics, and the potential for future disputes. An estate plan that works in isolation but conflicts with how property is actually titled or owned creates problems that fall on executors and families to resolve. We design plans intended to hold up across all of those dimensions.

For families with inherited real estate, business ownership, or complex asset structures, see our related pages on real estate and property matters and business succession planning.

Advanced Planning for Families with Significant Assets

For families with closely held businesses, long-held real estate, or substantial accumulated assets, a basic will and revocable trust are often not enough. Advanced planning tools allow families to reduce tax exposure, protect assets from future creditors or long-term care costs, and transfer wealth to the next generation in a controlled and tax-efficient way.

Irrevocable Trusts — Unlike a revocable trust, an irrevocable trust removes assets from your taxable estate and can protect them from creditors. Common structures include irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), which hold life insurance outside the estate to pass death benefits free of estate tax, and Medicaid asset protection trusts, which transfer assets out of your name while preserving the ability to use income.

Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and Family LLCs — These structures allow families to consolidate ownership of real estate or business interests, maintain management control, and transfer interests to children or grandchildren at valuation discounts for gift and estate tax purposes. FLPs are a common tool for Pittsburgh families with significant real estate holdings or closely held business interests who want to transfer wealth while retaining control during their lifetime.

Medicaid Planning and Long-Term Care — Pennsylvania Medicaid rules impose a five-year lookback period on asset transfers. Gifts or transfers made within five years of a Medicaid application may be penalized, delaying eligibility. Planning must begin well in advance of anticipated long-term care needs to be effective. Strategies include irrevocable Medicaid trusts, spousal protection planning, and coordinating asset transfers with existing estate documents. Given Pittsburgh’s aging population and the cost of long-term care facilities, this is one of the most consequential planning decisions many families face.

Special Needs Trusts — A properly drafted special needs trust preserves eligibility for government benefits including Medicaid and SSI while allowing supplemental assets to be held for a disabled beneficiary’s benefit. Without this structure, an inheritance or personal injury settlement can disqualify a disabled individual from the benefits they depend on.

These planning structures require careful coordination between the trust documents, existing estate plans, property title, and business ownership agreements. We advise on the full picture and design plans that are internally consistent and capable of being administered as intended.

Fees and Engagement Structure

Estate planning and estate administration matters vary in complexity depending on asset types, tax exposure, and family dynamics.
Some matters may be handled on a predictable fee basis, while others require hourly representation.

We explain scope and fees at the outset and focus on efficient planning and administration that protects fiduciaries and beneficiaries alike.