412-351-4422
[email protected]
2018 Monongahela Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Lebovitz & Lebovitz logo with folded-L icon and tagline “Forward Legal Thinking | Generational Trust” on navy background
  1. Home
  3. Wills, Estates and Trusts

Protecting Your Assets and Ensuring Orderly Transfer

As Pittsburgh estate planning attorneys, Lebovitz & Lebovitz protects your legacy through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate administration. Our team guides you step-by-step—whether you’re planning now or settling an estate.

At Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A., we specialize in comprehensive asset management and protection. Our services ensure the orderly transfer of your assets through wills, estates, trusts, and probate processes. Our team offers a full range of estate planning services, tailored to your unique needs.

Whether you’re interested in drafting wills, setting up trusts, or planning for business succession, our expertise is at your disposal. We navigate complex areas like generation-skipping transfer taxes and implement strategies such as lifetime gift programs and intrafamily sales.

We understand the complexities surrounding wills, estates, trusts, and probate. Our approach involves customized planning and creative solutions to meet your specific challenges. Given the ever-changing nature of state and federal laws, we stress the importance of regular plan reviews. This ensures the incorporation of new strategies that optimize your results.

Furthermore, our discussions will cover the use of powers of attorney and living wills. These are essential for managing your assets during any periods of incapacity. By doing so, we ensure your estate planning is both comprehensive and forward-thinking. Schedule an appointment with us today to secure your legacy with expert guidance.

Wills-Estates-Trusts-Probate: Navigate Legal Challenges with Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A.

Estate Planning for 2025

Maximizing Tax Exemptions

The estate and gift tax exemption has increased to $13.99 million per individual in 2024, allowing married couples to protect up to $27.98 million from federal inheritance taxes. Strategic estate planning, including the use of Credit Shelter Trusts and “portability” elections, is essential to minimize federal estate taxes, which can claim 40% of amounts over the exemption.

Annual Gift Exclusion

The annual gift exclusion for 2025 is $19,000. Gifts exceeding this limit will reduce the giver’s lifetime exemption but do not immediately incur taxes, enabling significant tax planning opportunities over one’s lifetime.

Understanding Pennsylvania’s Inheritance Tax

2025 Tax Rates

  • Transfers to a spouse or from a child under 21 to a parent are tax-free.
  • Direct descendants and lineal heirs are taxed at 4.5%.
  • Siblings face a 12% tax rate.
  • Other heirs are taxed at 15%, with exceptions for charities and government entities.

Avoiding Guardianship Through Planning

Effective planning can circumvent the need for guardianship, crucial when individuals can no longer manage their affairs. We guide you in establishing powers of attorney and living wills to avoid the complexities of court-appointed guardianships.

Estate Administration Essentials

Timely Filing and Support

In Pennsylvania, estates must file an inheritance tax return within nine months of death, with a discount available for filings within three months. Our team supports executors and beneficiaries in managing these duties, including probate matters, tax return preparation, and handling audits.

For a comprehensive overview of Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax, including the latest rates, exemptions, and filing requirements, we recommend visiting the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s official page on Inheritance Tax. This resource provides valuable information that can help you understand how the state’s inheritance tax may affect your estate planning and administration.

Guardianship: A Closer Look

Managing Disputes and Litigation

We excel at handling disputes and litigation related to guardianships, always prioritizing the best interests of the incapacitated individual.

Choose Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A.

For comprehensive advice and planning services in Wills, Estates, Trusts, and Probate, turn to Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. Our approach ensures peace of mind through detailed planning and supportive guidance at every step of your legal journey. Our commitment to customizing planning and creative solutions to your trust and estate issues, coupled with our dedication to adapting to changing laws, makes us your ideal partner in securing your legacy.

When you are seeking Wills, Estate, Probate, or Trust advice or planning, Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. will skillfully and expertly counsel you through the entire process.

Guide to Opening Probate in Allegheny County

If you’re administering an estate in Allegheny County, here’s a straightforward overview of the probate process—from paperwork to final distribution.

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 & approximate values
  • 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 schedule notice deadlines. You must publish a notice in the local legal journal and mail individual notices to known heirs and creditors.

5. Get Sworn In at the Register of Wills

Once your paperwork is accepted, you’ll appear before the Register of Wills to be formally sworn in as executor or administrator—granting you 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
  • File a final petition to close probate

For full official procedures, see the

Allegheny County Wills & Orphans Court website
.


Need help navigating probate? Contact our team

Wills, Estates, Trusts, & Probate Frequently Asked Questions

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

Contact Us