A Plan for Your Family, Written in Plain English

Estate planning answers four questions: who gets what when you die, who makes decisions if you cannot, who raises your children if you are gone, and how much of it goes to taxes and court costs instead of the people you love. Most adults in Canonsburg have not answered any of them in writing.

McKelvey Elder Law & Estate Planning helps individuals and families in Canonsburg and Washington County put those answers on paper. Attorney Colt McKelvey meets with every client personally at our office at 224 W. Pike Street, explains the options without jargon, and quotes a flat fee before drafting.

The Core Documents

  • Last will and testament. Names your executor, your beneficiaries, and a guardian for minor children. Without one, Pennsylvania’s intestacy statute decides for you. More on wills in Canonsburg.
  • Durable financial power of attorney. Lets someone you choose pay bills, manage accounts, and handle property if you are incapacitated. Pennsylvania law requires specific notice language and witness formalities for the document to be valid.
  • Health care power of attorney and living will. Together these form an advance health care directive under Pennsylvania’s Act 169. They name a medical decision-maker and state your wishes about life-sustaining treatment.
  • Trusts, where appropriate. For blended families, beneficiaries with special needs, long-term care protection, or holding money for young heirs. See our trusts page.
  • Beneficiary designation review. Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by designation, not by will. Outdated forms undo careful plans more often than anything else we see.

Estate Planning Priorities That Are Specific to Pennsylvania

  • Inheritance tax. Pennsylvania taxes inheritances at 4.5% for children and grandchildren, 12% for siblings, and 15% for everyone else, with spouses and charities exempt. Planning can reduce that; the will alone cannot.
  • Probate is manageable here. Washington County’s Register of Wills process is comparatively efficient, so we do not push trusts on clients who do not need one.
  • Long-term care. Nursing home costs in the Pittsburgh region run well over $10,000 a month. Planning at least five years ahead of need is what makes a home protectable. Our elder law page explains how.
  • Mineral rights. Many Washington County families own oil and gas interests from the Marcellus era. They need to be addressed in the plan or they get lost in probate.

Who We Help

  • Young parents who need guardianship provisions and a simple, complete plan
  • Homeowners in Canonsburg, Peters Township, and Cecil who want the house to pass cleanly
  • Retirees and pre-retirees protecting savings from care costs
  • Second marriages balancing a spouse’s security with children from a prior marriage
  • Farm and small business owners planning a transition
  • Churches, ministries, and their members, who appreciate a firm that shares their values

What a First Meeting Looks Like

Bring a rough list of what you own, who you would name as executor and agent, and any existing documents. We spend the meeting understanding your family and goals. You leave with a recommendation and a flat-fee quote. Drafts usually follow within two weeks, and signing takes one visit with witnesses and a notary provided by our office.

Our practice is grounded in Christian faith and the principle in Proverbs 16:3 that plans committed to the Lord are established. We do not preach at clients, but we do treat this work as stewardship.

Estate Planning FAQ

How much does estate planning cost in Canonsburg?

Flat fees, quoted in advance. A will-based plan for an individual or couple (wills, financial POAs, health care directives) is the most affordable option. Trust-based plans cost more. We will tell you at the first meeting which one fits your situation.

I already have a will from years ago. Is it still good?

Possibly, but Pennsylvania changed its power of attorney requirements in 2015, and many older wills name executors or guardians who have since died or moved. A review is inexpensive and often reveals gaps.

Do married couples need separate wills?

Yes. Joint wills create problems after the first spouse dies, and each spouse needs their own powers of attorney and health care directive in any case.

What happens to my kids if both parents die?

Without a will naming a guardian, the Orphans’ Court decides. That is the single strongest reason young parents should not wait.

Schedule With an Estate Planning Attorney in Canonsburg

Call 724-276-5066 or book a consultation online. McKelvey Elder Law & Estate Planning, 224 W. Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317. Serving Canonsburg, Washington, Peters Township, McMurray, Cecil, Houston, Bridgeville, South Fayette, and Upper St. Clair.