"Law Office of Corey J Riddell is located in Ligonier and is dedicated to providing quality legal services in the following practice areas: Criminal Defense Ligonier DUI Law Ligonier Drug Charges Ligonier Estate Planning Ligonier Wills and Trusts Ligonier Call us today at (724) 238-7296. We can help! We look forward to hearing from you. "
A common misperception of many is that an incapacitated individual’s next of kin (such as the parent of a child or the children of an elderly person suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease) will automatically become that person’s legal guardian. To the contrary, a guardian can only be appointed following a formal guardianship proceeding before the court.
While these are often emotional and very personal matters, contesting a Will is a legal matter. Basically, challenges can be made on three bases: that the Decedent “lacked capacity†at the time his or her Will was drafted; that the document in question was a result of “undue influence†or “coercion†; or that the signature on document is a fraud or forgery.
Attorney Piciacchio received his undergraduate degree from Penn State and his law degree from Duquesne University School of Law. He has been practicing law since 1983 with a focus on Wills, Estate Planning and Probate Estate Administration. Additionally, he practices in the areas of civil litigation, business formation and consultation, and contract law and has over twenty years experience with major corporations. When not working, Lou is likely to be found hunting, fishing or golfing.
A large portion—and value—of the many Estates that we administer each year are grounded firmly in the Real Estate holdings of the Decedent.  Such holdings can consist of not only of residential properties, but also commercial properties, secondary vacation homes and business properties as well. All such real estate holdings come into play and need to be considered when formulating and putting together an appropriate estate plan. As such, Estate Planning, Probate Estate Administration and Real Estate Law often need to work “hand in hand.â€
Real Estate Transactions
Because the primary focus of our law firm’s practice is estate planning and probate estate administration, we can provide a unique advantage to our clients when it comes to real estate sales and transfers. We are able to provide all of the traditional services associated with either the sale or purchase of a property, i.e. sales agreements, deed preparation, mortgages, notes, title searches and insurance, etc.).
Whether you need our legal services to assist you in the probate estate administration of a loved one’s estate or to help you create and craft an estate plan that best protects and serves your family’s specific, individual needs, you’ll be dealing with trusted and experienced attorneys who have been assisting clients throughout Western Pennsylvania with competency, compassion and care for over 25 years.
Wills
As difficult as the subject may be, sometimes questions arise as to the validity, or lack thereof, of an individual’s Last Will and Testament.  A Will Contest or Challenge is a legal proceeding in which arguments are made concerning the enforceability of a Last Will and Testament of someone who has died (the Decedent). This is an estate dispute that is heard by and argued before the Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court.
Trusts
A Revocable Living Trust, also often called a Family Trust, an Inter Vivos Trust, a Grantor Trust or simply a Living Trust, is a legal instrument that is created to hold title to your real property and other assets. Once created, you must “fund†it by transferring the ownership of your assets and holdings to the trust. If properly funded, a Revocable Living Trust can be an effective means of passing your assets on to your children or heirs without subjecting them to probate. However, the proper funding of the trust means everything and should be overseen by a competent legal professional.
Power of Attorney
The person(s) that you select as your “Agent†under a Durable Power of Attorney will be responsible for taking over the day in and day out management of both your personal and financial affairs. Among other things, the person(s) that you select as you “Agent†will have the power to make both medical and financial decisions on your behalf, sell you property, make gifts on your behalf, borrow money, file your taxes and much, much more. Clearly, your “Agent†needs to be a very responsible, trustworthy individual who will always act with the aim of protecting your best interests.
Proper estate planning should address not only what happens to a client’s assets after his or her death, but also how to best provide for that person’s future needs and physical well being during his or her lifetime. Many people believe that estate planning consists of nothing more than making a simple Will. Obviously, a properly implemented estate plan can entail much more than that. Estate planning may involve not only financial and tax planning, but also medical and business planning. While a Will is certainly an important component of an estate plan, other documents should also be considered and discussed. These may include a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, a Durable Health Care Power of Attorney, a Revocable Living Trust, a Living Will, or even a Special Needs Trust.