Ruth Crabbs Gunnell

Crabbs & Crabbs is a family-run law firm servicing primarily York and Adams Counties.  Its practice areas include Estate Planning (Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney), Estate Administration, Will Contests, Family Law (Divorce, Child Custody, Support/Alimony, Prenuptial Agreements), Adoption, Incapacity/Guardianship, and Name Changes. Effective estate planning can be a tool to protect loved ones and ease the burdens associated with death and incapacity.  It is never too soon to put these planning tools in place. The lawyers at Crabbs & Crabbs have assisted hundreds of clients with future-planning and regularly advise clients on the uses of Wills and/or Trusts to meet their goals.  Powers of Attorney are also strongly recommended as a way to protect one’s assets and family in the case of sudden incapacity or gradual mental decline. Our lawyers have prepared hundreds of wills and administered or assisted in administering countless estates.  The duties of an executor can be simply stated:  “gather and liquidate the assets of the estate, pay creditors, pay taxes, and distribute the balance according to the will or the intestate law.”  Although easily stated in general terms, depending on the specifics of the situation, proper administration can require prosecution of lawsuits, collection of debts, negotiation of disputed obligations, sale of real estate, liquidation of other assets, as well as preparation of Inheritance Tax Returns, Federal Estate Tax Returns, and Fiduciary Income Tax Returns.  Our years of experience in these areas allow us to assist in efficient and timely dealing with these and other problems. We also recommend and routinely prepare powers of attorney for our clients.  This advance planning can ease the burden of a sudden and unexpected incapacity. When a loved one passes away, it is often necessary to “administer” his or her estate. The activities that come to the minds of most are transferring real estate, paying the funeral bill, selling vehicles and other items of personal property, and closing bank accounts. However, it is also necessary to follow the procedure to be sworn in as Executor/Administrator, pay debts and taxes, ensure no third-party liability, file an accurate Inheritance Tax Return, and account all activities to other heirs or beneficiaries.