Grim Law

Grim Biehn & Thatcher

Wills and Estates

estates

Our estate department is proud to continue the firm’s long-established tradition of providing the highest quality service and professional expertise in estate and trust planning and administration. As our population ages and our laws become increasingly complex, our team of experienced attorneys and paralegals can guide you in making important decisions for you and your family and ensuring that those decisions are implemented as efficiently as possible. Whether you need basic document preparation, require complicated financial and tax analysis, or are seeking representation in Court to resolve a dispute over a Will or estate or to have a decision–maker appointed, we offer a comprehensive range of affordable services. Our areas of practice include the following:

Estate Planning

Whether your estate is worth $100 or $100 million, proper planning is essential to ensure that your needs and your concerns for your loved ones are met. We will meet with you and thoroughly review your unique situation, both financial and personal, to devise the best plan for you during your lifetime and for your legacy after your death. We prepare Wills, many types of simple and complex trust agreements, financial and health care powers of attorney, living wills, and other legal contracts to ensure a seamless transition of your affairs.

Estate Administration and Dispute Resolution

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher attorneys and paralegals work with you after the death of a loved one to guide you through the governmental maze of transferring their assets, whether by Will or living trust. We will prepare the probate documents, all required notices, the inventory, the inheritance tax and estate tax returns, the estate’s income tax returns. We will also prepare a complete accounting to finalize the estate or trust administration. Our systems are designed to be as quick and easy as possible during a difficult time. Should disputes arise, with beneficiaries or the government, we will represent you in any necessary litigation before the Register of Wills or Orphans’ Court.

Elder Law

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher attorneys work with families to protect our seniors as they age in the community. Our goal is to anticipate and plan in advance for the complications that may arise from long life and to give you peace of mind in a secure environment of your choosing. We also are available and qualified to mediate disagreements involving the elderly.

Long-Term Care Advice

Choosing a new home to accommodate changes brought on by age and disability is challenging, and may have to be done quickly. Grim, Biehn & Thatcher attorneys are well-acquainted with the myriad documents generated by continuing care communities, skilled nursing homes, assisted living facilities and personal care homes. We understand the intricacies of Medicare and Medical Assistance and endeavor to explain it to our clients in plain language. We prepare and submit Medical Assistance applications for long-term care and handle any ensuing appeals.

Guardianships

We prepare and file petitions with the Orphans’ Court for the appointment of guardians for mentally incapacitated adults and minors so that their assets may be responsibly managed and their personal decisions appropriately made. We also assist guardians with the filing of inventories, status reports and any further petitions for action requiring Court approval.

End-of-Life Decisions

We will work with you to prepare advanced directives, such as living wills, tailored to your specific wishes for life-sustaining treatment so that your wishes will be honored and your loved ones will not be burdened with uncertainty or guilt at the end of your life. We recognize that these sensitive decisions take thoughtful effort; therefore we encourage you to communicate with your family members and health care providers throughout the planning process and after the documents are in place.

Tax Planning and Preparation

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher attorneys have the tools and knowledge to help you structure your affairs in the most tax-effective way. Also, we routinely prepare and file Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns, federal estate and gift tax returns, and state and federal income tax returns for trusts and estates.

Charitable Giving

The members of our estate department are available to counsel you on the latest planning techniques that may benefit both you and your favorite non-profit organizations. We also may assist in the establishment of charitable entities, including private foundations.