Getting a Will Done in Canonsburg, Without the Runaround

Most people know they need a will. What stops them is not knowing what it costs, how long it takes, or whether an online form is good enough. Here are the answers: a flat fee quoted at your first meeting, usually two visits from start to signed document, and no, the online form is usually not good enough in Pennsylvania.

McKelvey Elder Law & Estate Planning drafts wills for individuals, couples, and families from our office at 224 W. Pike Street in Canonsburg. Attorney Colt McKelvey handles the meeting and the drafting himself.

What Makes a Will Valid in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s requirements are simpler than many states, but the details matter:

• You must be at least 18 and of sound mind.
• The will must be in writing and signed at the end. Anything written below your signature can be ignored.
• Witnesses are not strictly required for validity, but a will without a self-proving affidavit (signed by two witnesses before a notary) forces your executor to track down witnesses after your death to prove your signature. We always include one.
• Handwritten (holographic) wills can be valid, but they are the source of many family disputes we see in Washington County Orphans’ Court.

Beyond validity, a well-drafted will handles what forms skip: a backup executor, a guardian and alternate for minor children, a trust for young beneficiaries so an 18-year-old does not inherit outright, specific gifts of personal property, and what happens if a beneficiary dies before you.

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Pennsylvania

Your estate is “intestate” and state law decides who inherits. A surviving spouse does not automatically get everything. If you have children together, your spouse receives the first $30,000 plus half the rest, and the children split the remainder. If you have children from another relationship, the spouse gets half with no $30,000 allowance. Unmarried partners inherit nothing. The court, not you, chooses the administrator and any guardian for your children.

What We Include With a Will

A will only works after death. To cover incapacity during life, we pair every will with:

• A durable financial power of attorney that meets Pennsylvania’s post-2015 notice and witness requirements
• A health care power of attorney and living will
• A review of beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, since those override the will
• Guidance on Pennsylvania inheritance tax and whether any planning could reduce it

If your situation calls for a trust instead, we will say so. See trusts in Canonsburg and our full estate planning overview.

Updating an Existing Will

Marriage, divorce, a new child, a death in the family, a move to Pennsylvania from another state, or buying property in another state all justify a review. In Pennsylvania, divorce automatically revokes provisions for a former spouse, but marriage does not automatically add a new one. We can amend a will with a codicil or, more often, replace it with a clean new document.

Wills FAQ

How much does a will cost in Canonsburg?

We quote a flat fee at the first meeting that covers the will, powers of attorney, health care directive, and signing. Couples receive a package rate. Call for current pricing.

How long does it take?

Typically two visits: one to plan, one to sign. Drafts come to you for review in between. Urgent situations, such as a hospitalization or an upcoming surgery, can be handled faster.

Can you come to me?

For clients who are homebound or in a care facility in the Canonsburg area, ask. We accommodate this when we can.

Where should I keep my will?

The original in a safe place your executor can access (not a safe deposit box only you can open). We keep a copy on file. Pennsylvania does not require filing a will before death.

Does my will need to be filed in Washington County?

Only after death, when the executor files it with the Register of Wills to open the estate. Our estate administration page explains that process.

Talk to a Will Attorney in Canonsburg

Call 724-276-5066 or schedule online. McKelvey Elder Law & Estate Planning, 224 W. Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317. Serving Canonsburg, Peters Township, McMurray, Cecil, Washington, Houston, Bridgeville, and neighboring communities.