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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Bethlehem

Our Recommended Top 19

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Bethlehem Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

34Reviewed

28Curated

19Top Picks

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Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

123 North Main Street Suite #101 B, Dublin, PA 18917

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (19)

Why choose this provider?

Robert E. Fravel is a solo practitioner serving clients in Bethlehem. One of his focus areas is probate law, guiding high-net-worth individuals and clients with moderate estates through the complex legal process. He handles a wide range of probate matters, such as will validation, asset location, estate administration, probate petitions, and inheritance tax returns. Before establishing his private practice, Fravel previously worked for a well-known Doylestown law firm, where he discovered his passion for estate planning, family law, and business law.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Fravel - PrincipalActive9 yrs

1420 Walnut Street Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19102

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Google
5.0 (76)
Facebook
5.0 (33)

Why choose this provider?

Steven J. Fromm & Associates, P.C., addresses estate probate disputes in Bethlehem and the neighboring areas. Its services include guidance in navigating the estate probate process, preparing documents, collecting or preserving estate assets, and transferring assets to beneficiaries following the will. It also takes care of the settlement of debts and tax issues. Steven Fromm, its founding attorney, conducts lectures on corporate tax, estate planning, and wealth transfer. For three consecutive years, he received recognition as one of the Top 3 Best Rated Philadelphia Tax Attorneys.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration

675 Walnut St., Easton, PA 18042

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Why choose this provider?

Alexander J. Karam, Jr. Attorney at Law is a locally owned and operated private practice that guides the residents of Bethlehem. Its team provides probate and estate administration services to help clients plan for the future. It also assists with estate planning tools such as wills and living wills, powers of attorney, and guardianships. In addition, the firm handles cases involving retirement benefits and entitlement programs. Principal attorney Alexander Karam Jr. has been practicing law for almost three decades.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

512 Hamilton Street 400 Commonwealth Building, Allentown, PA 18101
Website

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Review Sources

Google
4.2 (11)
FindLaw
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Wiener and Wiener LLP has been offering legal services in Bethlehem for over 60 years. Its team of attorneys guides clients through the legal process of probate and estate administration. It also helps draft and updates various end-of-life and financial estate planning documents, such as wills, business succession plans, living trusts, special needs trusts, and limited family partnerships. The firm's partner, Stephen W. Wiener, is an accredited estate planner by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

1417 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Bonnie G. Ostrofsky, P.C., represents clients in the Bethlehem community. It offers legal assistance for probate administration of wills and transfers of assets. Its legal team also guides clients in calculating inheritance and federal estate taxes. The firm provides estate planning solutions such as living wills, wills, trusts, and durable powers of attorney. Bonnie G. Ostrofsky has been a lawyer for more than 40 years, and she gives classes and seminars on estate planning and Medicaid planning.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

38 West Market St., Bethlehem, PA 18018
Website

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Why choose this provider?

Established in 1976, Broughal & DeVito L.L.P. is a law firm that has provided legal services to clients involved in estate planning, corporate, business and employment law in the Bethlehem area. The firm also handles matters on community association, real estate, and land use. It caters to individuals, families, business owners, or charitable foundations for estate planning and probate cases. James L. Broughal, the firm's founder, is a Vietnam Veteran, serving the US Army from 1968 to 1971.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
James Broughal - PartnerActive51 yrs

301 South Third Street,, Lehighton, PA 18235

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Review Sources

Google
4.9 (18)
Avvo
5.0 (2)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Sebelin & Sebelin P.C. represents residents of Bethlehem and the neighboring areas with their legal concerns. It helps the family's personal representative deal with the legitimacy or conditions of the last will, as well as payment against the estate issues while complying with probate requirements. The firm also handles real estate, personal injury, criminal defense, business, and family law matters. One of its attorneys, David M. Sebelin, handles estate and probate litigation. He participates in the Pennsylvania Wills for Heroes Program.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Sebelin - PartnerActive13 yrs

700 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Weitzmann, Weitzmann & Huffman LLC provides probate services to Bethlehem clients. The firm offers legal advice and representation during the probate process, taking care of the financial affairs of the clients' deceased loved ones. It assists with wills, trusts, health care advance directives, powers of attorney, and the preparation of inheritance tax returns. Gretchen Marsh Weitzmann, one of the lead attorneys, mostly handles probate cases. The firm also deals with civil litigation, family, and municipal law, as well as real estate transactions.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

712 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

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Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Since 1923, Newman Williams, P.C., has been serving clients throughout Bethlehem. The firm advises individuals facing the probate process and assists them with activities like estate appraisal, tax management, and asset distribution. It also represents clients in litigation proceedings concerning will contests. The firm's other practice area is real estate law, and it handles cases involving matters like zoning and title insurance. Its managing partner, Marc Wolfe, is a National Association of Bond Lawyers member. He is a former assistant district attorney in Monroe County.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

940 West Lafayette Street, Suite 100, Easton, PA 18042
Website

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Why choose this provider?

Law Offices Robert C. Brown, Jr. protects the rights of families and individuals in the Bethlehem area. It handles the administration of the decedent's estates and guides administrators, trustees, and executors during the probate process. The practice offers asset inventory, heir location, and personal property listing services. It also deals with matters related to special needs, long-term care, and estate planning. Primary partner Robert Brown is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

  • Estate Planning

512 North New Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
FindLaw
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Based in Bethlehem, Littner & Littner Law Offices, PLLC helps clients with legal services such as probate and estate planning. The firm also assists the elderly in creating wills, planning long-term care options, and attending to conservatorship issues. It also aids individuals and businesses overcome challenges that come with real estate law. The firm Robert Littner, its founder, is licensed to practice law in Florida. He was admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

120 Gay St., Phoenixville, PA 19460
Website

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Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (13)
Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, Attorneys at Law, has been helping high-net-worth families and individuals in Bethlehem with their probate issues. The lawyers draft, review, and modify plans to assist clients in managing their estates. They prepare durable, financial, and medical powers of attorney and wills. Co-founder David M. Frees III heads the firm’s Trust, Estate, and Wealth Preservation Section. He is a speaker on estate planning and administration topics. Main Line Today magazine has named Frees as a "Top Lawyer" in Trusts, Wills, and Estates.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

307 Lakeside Park, Southampton, PA 18966

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Review Sources

Google
4.7 (15)
Facebook
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

William J. Benz Attorney at Law is a full-service law firm serving clients in Bethlehem. The firm assists family members with probate and estate administration. Benz has been handling a variety of probate matters since 1990, including asset distribution, contested wills and beneficiary rights, real estate holdings, business succession transfers, and non-traditional investments. Benz is also affiliated with Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy & O'Connell, LLP. His other practice areas include estate planning, business, and real estate law, which are relevant to his probate practice.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
William Benz - PrincipalActive44 yrs

2300 Computer Avenue, Suite J-54, Willow Grove, PA 19090
Website

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Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (4)
Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Jeremy A. Wechsler caters to the legal needs of Bethlehem families, including those with seniors. The firm assists clients in managing the probate process, which involves reviewing wills, paying taxes, and distributing assets. Its team helps create estate plans for wealth preservation and asset protection for descendants. Wechsler has been in practice since 2009 and is an arbitrator for Montgomery County. He currently volunteers at the Support Center for Child Advocates.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

210 East Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (11)

Why choose this provider?

Santanasto Law is a multi-practice firm serving businesses, families, and individuals in Bethlehem. It offers a wide range of legal services, including estate planning, personal injury, real estate, civil litigation, and family and business law. Its managing attorney, Michael Santanasto, handles estate planning services that involve last will, power of attorney, and advanced health care directive. He also offers business succession and charitable planning, asset protection, and trust administration. Santanasto received the 2014 Michael K. Smith Award from the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

333 North Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (14)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Carla Trongone represents individuals and families in Bethlehem and the surrounding cities. The firm assists the executor of the deceased client's will with the complex chore of navigating the appropriate financial and legal measures to settle affairs including filing tax returns and distributing the assets. It also provides legal support to clients dealing with family law and general civil practice matters.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Carla Trongone - PricnipalActive20 yrs

797 East Lancaster Avenue, Suite 13, Downingtown, PA 19335
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (11)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Firm of Barry S. Rabin provides legal guidance on probate matters for individuals in Bethlehem. For over three decades, Rabin has guided clients through the complicated process of administering the estates of deceased loved ones, providing court filing, legal representation, and document preparation services to ease their stress. He also sets up trusts for clients looking to bequeath their assets to children or grandchildren. Rubin is also an op-ed contributor and guest columnist for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

  • Estate Planning

64 N. 4th Street, Hamburg, PA 19526
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Antanavage Farbiarz PLLC addresses the probate concerns of families in Bethlehem. Its attorneys assist clients by presenting the probate case to the judge, securing the departed's assets, and facilitating the payment of estate taxes. The firm also caters to the estate planning needs of blended families and individuals with special needs. Partners Alexa S. Antanavage and Russell E. Farbiarz are admitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and licensed in New Jersey and New York. They also practice bankruptcy, corporate, and real estate law.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Richard Arnold - PrincipalActive30 yrs
Russell Farbiarz - Managing PartnerActive16 yrs

135 South 19th Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Heiligman & Mogul, P.C., serves clients throughout Bethlehem and its neighboring communities. The firm deals with probate matters and assists personal representatives throughout the process. It also handles initial filings and appointments, notices to heirs and beneficiaries, asset securing, payment of estate debts and obligations, and property distribution. It also offers probate services to out-of-state clients. S. Stacy Mogul, one of its attorneys, has over 30 years of experience representing clients in estate probate and planning cases.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Simon Mogul - PartnerActive43 yrs

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

    Dial 610-865-7000 to reach the local police station in Bethlehem for non-emergency concerns.

  • What would happen if someone in your family in Bethlehem died without a will?

    If a resident of Bethlehem dies without leaving a valid will, they are said to have died "intestate," and their property will be distributed according to the legal order of succession. Pennsylvania has an Intestate Succession statute (20 P.S. 2101 et seq.) that governs who inherits a portion of your estate if you die without a will. Furthermore, if there is no will, the estate beneficiaries will pay higher inheritance tax rates and additional fees.

  • Are the proceeds from life insurance subject to inheritance taxes in Bethlehem?

    Life insurance policies in Bethlehem are exempt from inheritance taxes, but there are a few key exceptions. Among these are the following:

    • Life insurance on a person other than the policyholder.
    • Partially declaring a life insurance policy with a cash surrender value is required. Inheritance tax applies to the cash surrender value.
    • Policies that combine elements of both life insurance and an annuity.
  • When your parents pass away in Bethlehem, as their children, will you inherit their debt?

    Bethlehem adheres to Pennsylvania's filial responsibility statute, which means you won't be responsible for paying off your parents' debt. Children only have financial responsibility for medical costs or co-signed loans. Also, if your parents pass away, their estate will go through the probate court. All debts and assets belonging to the estate need to be tallied and listed.

  • In Bethlehem, who will inherit an account with no stated beneficiary?

    When there is no beneficiary on the deceased's account in Bethlehem, intestacy rules will be used, specifying who will inherit the asset. However, it will still undergo probate, and the account will be distributed to the heirs. These are the following:

    • The spouse
    • The deceased's children
    • If the decedent had no children, the parents
    • Brothers or sisters and their children
    • Grandparents
    • Uncles and aunts, along with their offspring and grandchildren
  • What is an executor, and what are their responsibilities in probate administration in Bethlehem?

    The executor is the one who must begin the legal process of probate in Bethlehem. The individual who stands to gain the most from the estate is chosen as executor since they have the most at stake in seeing the process through promptly. The executor's duties include filing the probate with the court, notifying everyone in the will of the decedent, providing a list of beneficiaries and an accounting of the testator's debts and assets, and proving the legality of the will.