Estate Planning &
Elder Law Services
With over 40 years of experience, Holahan Law provides clear, compassionate guidance on estate planning, probate, elder law, veteran benefits, and more for families in Kennett Square, Chester County, and throughout Pennsylvania.
Our Services
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Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer
Custom wills, trusts, and strategies to protect your assets and pass them on exactly as you wish.
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Estate Administration & Probate
Expert guidance through the probate process by helping executors efficiently settle estates, distribute assets, and handle all legal requirements with care and clarity.
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Trust Administration
Professional management of trusts so your wishes are fulfilled, beneficiaries are protected, and ongoing compliance is maintained without unnecessary complications.
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Elder Law and Life Care Planning
Proactive strategies to protect your savings from long-term care costs, qualify for Medicaid when appropriate, and maintain dignity and security in your later years.
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Veteran Benefit Planning
Help veterans and their spouses maximize VA benefits such as Aid and Attendance while preserving assets for your family’s future.
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Power of Attorney for Young Adults
Essential legal documents that give college students and young professionals the protection they need for medical and financial decisions before they leave home.
Estate Planning and Wealth Transfer
Custom wills, revocable living trusts, and comprehensive estate plans that protect everything you’ve worked for. We help you minimize taxes, avoid probate where possible, and ensure your assets go exactly where you want them — without unnecessary complexity or family conflict.
What we handle:
Revocable and irrevocable trusts
Health care and financial powers of attorney
Beneficiary designations and asset titling strategies
Tax-efficient wealth transfer for the next generation
Estate Administration and Probate
When a loved one passes, the probate process (estate administration) can feel overwhelming. We help executors and families through every step — from filing the will (or applying for appointment of an administrator if there is no will) to inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the estate — with patience, clear explanations, and careful attention to detail so you can focus on what matters most.
What we handle:
Probate court filings and timelines in Pennsylvania
Inventorying and valuing estate assets
Paying debts and taxes
Final distribution to beneficiaries
Trust Administration
Once a trust is created, proper administration is essential. We handle the day‑to‑day responsibilities so the trust operates exactly as intended: assets are protected, beneficiaries receive what they are owed without delays or disputes, and the grantor’s wishes are fulfilled.
What we handle:
Trust funding and asset transfer
Annual accounting and tax reporting
Beneficiary communications and distributions
Ongoing compliance with Pennsylvania law
Elder Law and Life Care Planning
Planning for later years means protecting both health and finances. We create customized strategies that safeguard savings from long-term care costs while preserving dignity, independence, and quality of life.
What we handle:
Medicaid planning and asset protection
Long-term care insurance review
Health care directives and living wills
Nursing home and assisted-living transitions
Veteran Benefit Planning
Veterans and their spouses deserve to receive every benefit they’ve earned. We help maximize VA Aid and Attendance and other programs while protecting assets for your family’s future.
What we handle:
VA pension and Aid and Attendance applications
Asset protection strategies that comply with VA rules
Coordination with Medicaid planning
Peace of mind for you and your spouse
Power of Attorney for Young Adults
College students and young professionals should arrange legal protections before leaving home. At 18 they are legally adults and can make their own decisions, so it’s important to have a power of attorney in place. A power of attorney lets a trusted adult make medical and other decisions if the student is injured or too ill to decide for themselves.
What we handle:
Durable financial power of attorney
Health care power of attorney
HIPAA authorization forms
Easy, affordable packages designed specifically for young adults
Clear. Compassionate. Personal.
Here’s exactly how we work with every client in Kennett Square and Chester County.
Our Simple 6-Step Process
Your Initial Call or Meeting
Your journey begins with a simple phone call or in-person meeting. We listen carefully to your situation, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. There is no pressure and no obligation — just honest guidance from a local lawyer who truly cares about your family’s future.
Gather Your Information
We send you an easy-to-use organizer so you can share the details about your assets, family, and goals. This information stays completely confidential and helps us build the right strategy from the very beginning.
Personalized Strategy Session
In this relaxed meeting we review everything together, discuss your goals and concerns, and design a custom plan that fits your unique family and financial situation. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options and next steps.
Document Preparation & Review
We prepare all your documents in plain, easy-to-understand language. We walk you through every page, answer every question, and make any revisions until the plan feels perfect for you and your family.
Sign & Execute Your Plan
We guide you through the signing process and handle all the important details — including properly titling assets into trusts when needed — so your plan is fully effective the moment it’s signed.
Ongoing Client Care
Your plan doesn’t end when the documents are signed. We stay in touch with annual reviews, updates for life changes, and continued support so your estate plan continues to work exactly as you intended for years to come.
Why Families Choose Holahan Law
We treat every client like family — because in Kennett Square, that’s exactly what we are.
Ready to Protect Your Family’s Future?
Frequently Asked Questions
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A will takes effect after you pass away and goes through probate. A trust can help avoid probate, protect privacy, and provide more control over how your assets are distributed. We’ll help you choose what’s right for your family.
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While you can handle probate (estate administration) without a lawyer, it is often time-consuming and stressful. An experienced lawyer will identify and calculate the correct inheritance tax, avoid common procedural and legal mistakes, and streamline the process. Professional guidance reduces the risk of costly errors and provides reassurance during a difficult time.
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We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.Through proper elder law and Medicaid planning, we can help you legally safeguard your savings while still qualifying for benefits when needed.
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It allows someone you trust to make financial or medical decisions if you’re unable. For college students, it’s essential protection before they leave home.
