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2018 Monongahela Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
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Pittsburgh Wills, Estates, Trusts & Probate Attorneys

Protect your legacy — start your estate plan today

Serving Pittsburgh families for over 90 years with comprehensive estate planning solutions.

Our Pittsburgh estate attorneys help you keep your assets private, minimize taxes, and avoid probate stress for your family.


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As Pittsburgh estate planning attorneys, Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. helps you
protect your assets and ensure an orderly transfer of wealth through wills, trusts,
powers of attorney, and probate administration. We guide you step by step, whether you
are planning ahead or settling a loved one’s estate.

Our estate practice covers Last Wills and Testaments, revocable and irrevocable trusts,
financial and health-care powers of attorney, living wills, and full probate and estate
administration. We tailor every plan to your family, business interests, and goals,
including charitable giving and business-succession planning.

For clients with more complex needs, we address inheritance tax, federal transfer tax
exposure, lifetime gifting strategies, family LLCs and FLPs, generation-skipping planning,
and intrafamily sales. Our goal is to reduce tax impact while preserving control and
providing clarity for your beneficiaries.

Because state and federal laws change over time, we recommend reviewing your plan after
major life events or every few years. We also emphasize incapacity planning, so trusted
agents can manage your affairs if you are unable to do so. By combining thoughtful design
with regular review, we keep your estate plan current, comprehensive, and aligned with
your wishes.

Estate Planning for 2025

Federal Estate & Gift Tax Exemption

The federal estate and gift tax exemption for 2025 is $13.61 million per individual, allowing married couples to shield up to $27.22 million with proper planning.
Effective strategies include Credit Shelter Trusts, portability elections, lifetime gifting, and the use of irrevocable trusts to reduce exposure to the federal estate tax rate of 40%.

Annual Gift Exclusion

The 2025 annual exclusion amount is $19,000 per recipient.
Gifts above this amount simply reduce your lifetime exemption; they do not trigger tax at the time of the gift.
Strategic annual gifting can move significant value out of your taxable estate over time.

Understanding Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax

2025 Pennsylvania Rates

  • Transfers to a spouse or from a child under 21 to a parent: 0%
  • Direct descendants and lineal heirs: 4.5%
  • Siblings: 12%
  • All others: 15% (charities and government entities exempt)

Avoiding Guardianship Through Planning

We help clients avoid costly and restrictive guardianship proceedings by establishing financial and health-care powers of attorney and living wills.
With proper planning, your chosen agents—not the court—retain control of your financial and medical decisions.

Estate Administration Essentials

Pennsylvania estates must file an inheritance tax return within nine months of death.
A 5% discount applies if tax is paid within the first three months.
Lebovitz & Lebovitz assists executors with probate filings, tax returns, accountings, audits, and the full administration process.

For the latest Pennsylvania rates and rules, see the

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Inheritance Tax page
.

Guardianship Litigation & Disputes

Our firm handles both uncontested and contested guardianships, including disputes over capacity, agent misconduct, removal of guardians, and emergency protective petitions.

Why Choose Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A.

We deliver comprehensive planning across wills, trusts, estate tax planning, probate, guardianships, and business-succession strategies.
Our tailored approach ensures your estate plan remains up-to-date, tax-efficient, and aligned with your long-term goals.
When you need clear guidance for Wills, Estates, Probate, or Trust matters, our team provides the experience and support necessary to protect your legacy.

Guide to Opening Probate in Allegheny County

If you’re administering an estate in Allegheny County, this quick guide explains the probate process step by step — from filing your petition to final distribution of assets.

1. Determine Your Filing Type

With a will: file a Petition for Letters Testamentary.
Without a will (intestate): file a Petition for Letters of Administration.

2. Gather Required Documents

Original death certificate; original will (if one exists); list of assets with approximate values; and contact information for heirs and beneficiaries.

3. Complete and File Your Petition

Prepare the petition form (available from the Register of Wills). Include all attachments and pay the filing fee. You may file in person or by mail at:

Allegheny County Register of Wills
436 County Office Building
542 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

4. Serve Required Notices

After filing, the Register’s office will set notice deadlines. You must publish a notice in the local legal journal and mail notices to known heirs and creditors.

5. Get Sworn In at the Register of Wills

Once paperwork is accepted, you’ll appear before the Register of Wills to be sworn in as executor or administrator — granting legal authority to manage the estate.

6. Administer and Close the Estate

Collect and safeguard estate assets; pay debts, taxes, and final expenses; file accountings with the court; distribute remaining assets to beneficiaries; and file a final petition to close probate.

For full official procedures, see the

Allegheny County Wills & Orphans Court website
.

Why Many Families Choose a Trust

Trusts keep your estate private (avoiding public probate filings), provide immediate continuity if you become incapacitated, reduce disputes by setting clear terms, and can minimize Pennsylvania inheritance tax through planned transfers.

Our attorneys tailor each trust to your goals and assets — from simple living trusts to complex family and special needs trusts.

Client Feedback

“Lebovitz & Lebovitz assisted me with my mother’s power of attorney as well as my father’s will. They went above and beyond my expectations and helped resolve a creditor lawsuit against me. They will always be my personal attorneys — willing to help others.”

— J.B. · Google Review

“Lebovitz & Lebovitz is a knowledgeable and professional Pittsburgh law firm that gets results. They work closely with clients and are always available to speak with. Stephen guided our family through my father’s probate process and other personal matters with great care.”

— J.M. · Google Review

Need help navigating probate? Contact our team

Learn more about Wills, Estates & Trusts and how proper planning can help you avoid probate altogether.

Many families choose to plan ahead to avoid the complexity of probate, ensuring privacy, efficiency, and peace of mind for their loved ones.

Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts, Protect What Matters Most

At Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A., we’ve helped Pittsburgh families plan their legacies for over fifty years. Our attorneys guide clients through every stage of estate planning — from drafting simple wills to structuring complex trusts that protect assets, minimize taxes, and ensure your wishes are honored.

Whether you’re preparing your first Last Will and Testament, updating an existing plan, or managing a loved one’s estate through probate, our firm provides experienced, compassionate counsel every step of the way.

Our Estate Planning Services

Wills and codicils; revocable and irrevocable trusts; financial and healthcare powers of attorney; living wills and advance directives; probate and estate administration; elder law, guardianship, and Medicaid planning.

Why Estate Planning Matters

A thoughtful plan ensures your assets pass according to your wishes (not state law), protects loved ones from delays and disputes, reduces estate and inheritance tax exposure through proper structuring, and provides for incapacity planning through powers of attorney and health directives.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Estate Attorneys

Learn how our team can help you avoid probate and protect your legacy for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wills, Estates, Trusts & Probate – FAQs

Why do I need an estate plan in Pennsylvania?

An estate plan ensures your assets pass according to your wishes rather than state intestacy law. It can minimize taxes, name guardians for minors, and protect loved ones. Without one, the court decides who inherits and who manages your estate.

What is the difference between a will and a trust?

A will takes effect only after death and must go through probate. A revocable living trust, if funded during your lifetime, allows your assets to transfer privately without probate, avoiding delays and keeping details out of public record.

Do trusts keep my estate private?

Yes. Trusts avoid probate, which means your assets, their values, and your beneficiaries are not disclosed in court filings. A properly structured and funded trust keeps administration private and shields family finances from public view.

What documents are included in a comprehensive estate plan?

Most plans include a Last Will and Testament, Revocable Living Trust, Financial Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, and Living Will. We tailor each document to your family, assets, and goals.

What is the federal estate tax exemption in 2025?

For 2025 the federal estate and gift tax exemption is $13.61 million per person or $27.22 million for married couples using proper planning. Tools include credit shelter trusts, portability elections, and lifetime gifting.

How much can I gift tax-free each year?

The annual exclusion for 2025 is $19,000 per recipient. Gifts above this amount reduce your lifetime exemption but do not automatically trigger gift tax.

What inheritance tax applies in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania imposes inheritance tax of 0 percent for spouses and transfers to a child age twenty one or younger, 4.5 percent for lineal heirs, 12 percent for siblings, and 15 percent for others. Paying within ninety days qualifies for a five percent discount.

How can a trust help reduce taxes?

Trusts can reduce federal estate tax exposure, manage income tax issues, and protect appreciation from future taxation. Certain irrevocable trusts also remove assets from your taxable estate while providing long term benefits to heirs.

Who should I name as trustee or executor?

Choose someone organized, trustworthy, and impartial. Many clients pair a family member with a professional fiduciary for balanced administration. We advise on structure, succession, and whether a corporate fiduciary is appropriate.

How do I plan for children or special needs dependents?

Guardianship provisions should be included in your will, and assets for minors or individuals with disabilities should be held in trust. A Special Needs Trust preserves public benefits while providing lifetime support and care.

How can I avoid a court-appointed guardianship?

Executing financial and health care powers of attorney and a living will lets you choose trusted agents to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated, avoiding the delay and loss of privacy that comes with guardianship proceedings.

When is the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return due?

The return is generally due nine months after death. A discount applies if paid within three months. We assist executors with preparation, timing, and audit issues.

Can I include digital assets and cryptocurrency in my estate plan?

Yes. Your plan should list wallets, exchanges, domains, and online accounts, authorize access under digital asset laws, and name an agent who understands how to locate and manage those assets.

How often should I update my estate plan?

Review every three to five years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant financial changes. Regular updates keep fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and tax planning aligned.

What should I bring to the first meeting?

Bring recent account statements, deeds, life insurance and retirement beneficiary forms, existing estate documents, and a list of fiduciaries and beneficiaries. We will review your goals and design a clear, cost effective plan.

Still have questions?
Contact our Pittsburgh estate planning attorneys
for a private consultation.

Protect your family’s future—schedule your free estate planning review today. Contact Us

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