Protect What Matters Most. Plan with Confidence.
At Chadwick Estate Law, we provide personalized estate planning and probate guidance for Pennsylvania families. Whether you’re drafting a will, creating a trust, or serving as executor, our Wayne-based firm supports you every step of the way.
Our Services
Probate & Estate Administration
Guiding families through the legal process with clarity and care.
We assist executors and heirs in every step of Pennsylvania probate inventorying assets, settling debts, and distributing inheritances efficiently and correctly.
Beneficiary & Dispute Services
Resolving estate and trust conflicts with discretion and skill.
Whether you’re challenging a will, questioning a fiduciary’s conduct, or defending an estate, we protect your rights while striving for fair, efficient resolution.
Trusts & Asset Protection
Preserve and control what you’ve built.
From revocable living trusts to irrevocable and special-needs trusts, we create structures that safeguard your assets, minimize taxes, and simplify future administration.
Estate Planning
Protect your legacy and care for your loved ones.
We design tailored wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives to ensure your intentions are honored and your family is protected without confusion or court intervention.
Why Families Choose Chadwick Estate Law
Sophisticated Strategies, Explained Clearly — We translate complex tax and estate law into practical steps.
Focused Client Load — By serving fewer clients, we provide more attention to each family.
Big-Firm Background, Local Practice — Trained at Georgetown Law (LL.M. Tax) and AmLaw 100 experience.
Local Insight, Statewide Reach — Based in Wayne; serving Chester, Delaware, Montgomery & Philadelphia Counties; statewide virtual planning available.
★★★★★
Bass’ answers addressed the technical issues that a problem raised while also demonstrating knowledge of and interest in the social and economic consequences of various rules.
- Beverly
★★★★★
Bass is the most intelligent, efficient and professional employee (redact) has, and I would give his performance an A+. I worked for Mayor Giuliani’s office and Bass is someone who would be in the top one percent in that environment as well.
- Jenna (former colleague)
★★★★★
Bass goes above and beyond for his clients, and I would recommend him without a second thought.
- Kathy
Our Estate Planning Process
Initial Consultation
Book a complimentary consultation with an estate planning attorney to discuss your goals and develop a personalized plan that protects your family and legacy.
Design & Drafting
Meet with your estate planning attorney to design a customized plan that reflects your priorities, values, and long-term objectives.
Review & Revisions
You’ll review your draft documents and meet with us (virtually or in-office) to discuss any adjustments. We revise the plan until every provision reflects your intent.
Signing & Execution
We coordinate the execution of your estate planning documents to ensure full compliance with Pennsylvania law, including the presence of required witnesses and notarization where applicable.
Pennsylvania Probate Process
1
Discovery Meeting
Meet with the family to identify whether Probate is necessary. There are circumstances where formal probate may be avoided entirely or handled through a simplified small-estate procedure under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3102.
2
Opening the Estate
If probate is necessary, we prepare and file the Petition for Grant of Letters with the proper Register of Wills. Once the court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, the personal representative is legally authorized to act on behalf of the estate.
3
Estate Administration
we guide the personal representative through collecting assets, valuing property, paying debts and expenses, and filing the required Pennsylvania inheritance tax return. Because unexpected issues can arise such as creditor claims, asset disputes, or tax adjustments, probate in Pennsylvania may last over a year.
4
Distribution to Beneficiaries
Once debts, expenses, and taxes are resolved, distributions can be made in accordance with the Will or, if there is none, under Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws (20 Pa.C.S. § 2101 et seq.).
We prepare a formal or family settlement agreement to document these distributions and protect the personal representative from future liability.
5
Closing the Estate
After all debts and distributions are complete, the estate may be closed by filing an Account and Petition for Adjudication or Statement of Proposed Distribution, or, if all interested party’s consent, by submitting a Family Settlement Agreement. Finally, the personal representative’s duties are discharged and probate is concluded.
