A will is the foundation of most estate plans, and it is often the first document people ask about. If you are looking for a will lawyer near me in Cecil Township, Canonsburg or the South Hills, Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC has prepared wills for local families. Heather N. Kostrub handles this work as part of the firm’s full estate planning practice.
What happens after you call: we ask who is in your family and what you own, set a meeting with Heather, and send a short list of items to bring.
What a will is
A will (also called a last will and testament) is a signed document that says who receives your property when you die. It also names your executor, the person who gathers your assets, pays your debts and hands out what remains. Parents of minor children use a will to name a guardian, the person who would raise the children if both parents die.
A will controls only your probate assets, meaning property in your name alone with no named beneficiary. Accounts with a payable-on-death designation, life insurance with a named beneficiary, and property held jointly with right of survivorship usually pass outside the will. A good will lawyer checks that those designations match the plan.
Some families pair a will with a revocable trust. See when a trust makes sense for that comparison.
Pennsylvania law that matters
- Who can make a will. You must be at least 18 and of sound mind (20 Pa.C.S. § 2501).
- Signed at the end. A Pennsylvania will must be in writing and signed at the end (20 Pa.C.S. § 2502). Text added below the signature may be disregarded.
- Witnesses and probate. Pennsylvania does not require witnesses for a will to be valid, but the Register of Wills generally needs two witnesses to prove the signature when the will is probated (20 Pa.C.S. § 3132).
- Self-proving affidavit. A notarized statement signed by you and two witnesses lets the will be probated without tracking down the witnesses later (20 Pa.C.S. § 3132.1).
- Life changes. Divorce generally cancels gifts to a former spouse (20 Pa.C.S. § 6111.1). Marriage or the birth of a child after you sign can also change how a will works (20 Pa.C.S. § 2507).
- Spouse’s rights. A surviving spouse may be able to claim an elective share, roughly one-third of certain property, instead of what the will provides (20 Pa.C.S. § 2203).
Our guide on the steps to make a will in Pennsylvania covers signing formalities in more depth.
Common situations in Washington and Allegheny counties
- New parents in Upper St. Clair want to name a guardian and set an age for the children to inherit.
- A blended family in Bethel Park wants to provide for a spouse and for children from a first marriage.
- A Canonsburg homeowner wants the house to go to one child and savings to another.
- A retiree in Bridgeville has a will from another state and wants it reviewed after moving here.
- A landowner in Cecil Township wants to leave oil and gas rights without splitting them among many heirs.
- A Pittsburgh resident wants to leave a gift to a church or charity.
What happens if you don’t act
If you die without a will, Pennsylvania’s intestacy law decides who inherits (20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21). Your spouse may share the estate with your children or parents. An unmarried partner or stepchild may receive nothing. The court appoints an administrator, who may need to post a bond, and a judge, not you, chooses your children’s guardian. Read what happens without a will in Pennsylvania for the details.
Want a will that says what you mean? Call (304) 982-1586 or schedule a consultation. After you call, we set a meeting with Heather and send a checklist so you can gather what you need.
How we handle it, step by step
- Intake call. We collect basic facts about your family and property.
- Planning meeting. Heather reviews your assets and beneficiary designations, and you discuss who should receive what and who should serve as executor and guardian.
- Draft. We prepare a will written in plain language, with backup choices if your first-choice executor or heir cannot serve.
- Review. You read the draft and ask questions. We revise as needed.
- Signing. You sign at the end with two witnesses and a notary present for the self-proving affidavit.
- Safekeeping. We explain where to keep the original. The Register of Wills generally needs the original, not a copy.
Most clients also sign a financial power of attorney and a living will with a health care agent at the same meeting.
What to bring to your first meeting
- Full names and birth dates of your spouse, children and other beneficiaries
- Any current will or trust, even an old one
- A list of assets and how each is titled (individual, joint, payable-on-death)
- Life insurance and retirement account beneficiary forms
- Deeds, and any oil and gas leases or royalty statements
- Names of your choices for executor and guardian, plus a backup for each
Fees
Many people ask how much a will costs in PA. The answer depends on whether you need a simple will or a will that works with trusts and other planning. We quote fees before work begins. We explain how we charge, and what to expect, at your first consultation.
Finding a will lawyer near me: who handles this
Heather N. Kostrub prepares wills for clients across Washington and Allegheny counties. Her practice focuses on wills, trusts, powers of attorney and family succession planning. She is a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College. Read more about Heather Kostrub.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to make a will in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania does not require a lawyer, and a properly signed homemade will can be valid. The risk is in the details: a will not signed at the end, a missing backup executor, or gifts that conflict with beneficiary designations. A lawyer also adds a self-proving affidavit so your family does not have to locate witnesses later.
How much does a will cost in PA?
Cost depends on how much planning your situation needs. A will for a person with a simple estate takes less time than one that includes trusts for children, a blended family, a business or mineral rights. Many firms charge a flat fee for wills. We tell you the fee before starting, so there are no surprises.
Can I write my own will by hand in Pennsylvania?
A handwritten will can be valid if it is signed at the end. At probate, however, the Register of Wills generally needs two people to confirm your handwriting and signature. Homemade wills also tend to leave gaps, such as no backup heir. If you have a handwritten will, consider having it reviewed.
Who should I name as executor?
Choose someone organized, trustworthy and willing to do paperwork for a year or more. Many people choose a spouse or adult child. The executor does not have to live in Pennsylvania, but a nonresident executor may face extra requirements, such as a bond. Always name at least one backup in case your first choice cannot serve.
Does a will need to be updated after divorce or a new child?
Yes. Pennsylvania law generally cancels gifts to a former spouse after divorce, but it does not rewrite the rest of your plan. A new child, a death in the family, a move or a large change in assets can also leave your will out of date. A review every few years keeps it accurate.
Do you prepare wills for Pittsburgh residents?
Yes. We work with clients in Pittsburgh and throughout Allegheny County, as well as Washington County. Wills for Allegheny County residents are probated at the Allegheny County Register of Wills in Pittsburgh. Learn more on our Pittsburgh locations page, or see how probate works after a death.
Start your will with Kostrub Law
Call (304) 982-1586 or request a meeting online. After you call, we confirm a time with Heather, send a short checklist, and answer basic questions before your visit.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.