Will Workshops and Estate Planning Services

If you own a home, yes. Without a will, your property doesn't automatically go to the people you intend. It goes through a legal process called probate, which can be lengthy, expensive, and sometimes results in unintended outcomes — including family members losing access to a home they've lived in for years.

A tangled title happens when the person living in a home isn't the legal owner on record — often because a parent or grandparent passed away without a will and the property was never formally transferred. If this sounds like your situation, this program can help you resolve it.

At signing day, you'll receive your finalized will along with any other estate planning documents prepared during the process, such as a power of attorney and healthcare agent designation.

his program is specifically designed for homeowners and those with tangled title situations. If you're working toward homeownership, our First-Time Homebuyer program  is a great place to start — and estate planning will be waiting for you on the other side.

Leaving your home to multiple people can lead to complications. What if one person wants to live there, and the others do not? There may not be agreement about what to do with the house. Each future owner could demand to be bought out. Consider whether your children may owe money to people. With multiple owners, it may be difficult to obtain a new mortgage. You could direct the property be sold and proceeds distributed in equal shares to multiple people.

Regardless, writing a will is the best decision you can make. A will makes your wishes known and prevents tangled titles in the future.

“Adding” someone’s name to your deed is the same as giving away your property. They could file a partition to kick you out.

Having another person on the deed might affect payment and repair programs you’re currently eligible for – they would take the other homeowner’s income into account.

It could trigger a transfer asset penalty if you receive Medicaid, which is a period of time where you are ineligible for Medicaid.

Trusts were created in states with complicated probate processes that take years and delay distribution of assets. Probate in Pennsylvania is quick and more affordable than other states.

Setting up and maintaining a trust costs a lot of money, usually more than probate fees do in PA.

If your house is in a trust, you cannot access many low-income payment programs, and you could have your Medicaid benefits paused for a period of time.

Trusts do not avoid inheritance taxes.

A will is the best way to make sure your assets are protected!