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What Are Wills? A will is a document that states your final wishes. This legal document coordinates the distribution of your assets after death and can appoint guardians for minor children. The will and probate attorneys at Lindsay & Hatheway will make sure your will allows you to communicate your wishes clearly and precisely in your absence. What is Probate? Probate is the procedure by which a will is approved by the court as the valid and last will of a deceased testator. Probate also confirms the appointment of the person named as executor in the will. The executor of your will proves the validity of the document and presents the court with lists of your property, your debts, and who is to inherit what you've left behind. Why Is a Will So Important? Simply put, having a valid will filed with a court means that you, rather than the state you reside in, gets to decide who is entitled to your assets upon your passing. If you pass away without a valid will on file, state laws will determine who inherits your property and other assets. Validity is the key here. Even if you already have a document laying out your wishes, if the court does not judge it to be a valid will, it will not honor it, and your property will be distributed according to state law. This is why it is so important to have a will and probate attorney draw up your final documents. Your attorney can make sure that everything is set up according to the law so that your property will be distributed the way you wish it to be. When you need to discuss proceedings with a will and probate lawyer, please contact Lindsay & Hatheway. We will handle all aspects of the legal procedure from start to finish, so you know you're working with the best firm in Meadville, PA when it comes to wills and probate law.

Injuries stemming from accidents can be stressful and burdensome. At some point, you might experience the pressure from friends and family to seek representation on top of everything happening around you. Choosing when to contact an attorney after an accident is ultimately your decision. However, contacting an attorney at the right time is important and can save you time, money and frustration down the road. Knowing when to contact a personal injury attorney can be a difficult thing to gauge. Below are some tips for knowing when to make the call: If Your Injuries are Severe – If an accident has left you bedridden and seriously injured in a way that leads you to stress about your ability to work, it’s imperative that you contact an attorney right away. Failure to do so can leave you vulnerable financially and on the hook for both anticipated and unanticipated medical expenses that come up. If Liability is Unclear – If an accident takes place and you are not absolutely certain if you or another party is at fault, contacting a lawyer can provide important guidance throughout the liability process. This guidance can end up saving you months and years of complicated and expensive situations stemming from the initial accident, as well as better settlement offers and less blame. If Your Insurance Company is Not Stepping Up – Insurance is as helpful in these situations as it is important, but sometimes loopholes exist that offer them a way out from providing the coverage you need. If this becomes the case in your experience, legal representation is the smartest next step. For all your personal injury needs in Meadville, PA and the surrounding areas, Lindsay & Hatheway are here to help. We offer reliable representation for criminal defense clients, personal injury clients, real estate clients and more. Contact us today for a consultation.