Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and NEPA
Most people know they need an estate plan. A will. Powers of attorney. Maybe a trust. But knowing you need it and actually getting it done are two different things. At Bregman & Lantz, we’ve spent 15+ years helping families across NEPA put the right documents in place, in plain language they actually understand, without the process feeling overwhelming. Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for the people you love. We make it straightforward.
Free consultation · Same-week appointments · 15+ years of experience
Half of Americans never get around to making a will.
It’s one of the most consistent things we see: people who fully intended to get their affairs in order but never quite got around to it.
We understand that it’s put off because the process feels complicated, the conversation feels tough, and there’s always something more urgent competing for attention.
But here’s what the people who’ve been through probate without a plan, or watched a family member’s estate tie up in court, say afterward: “I wish we had done this sooner. It was so much easier than I expected.”
We hear that a lot from clients of Bregman & Lantz too.
What happens when there's no plan
Without a will, Pennsylvania law decides who gets what. The money and estate may or may not go where you actually wanted it to.
Without a power of attorney, your family may have no legal ability to manage your finances or make healthcare decisions if you are unable to do so yourself, even temporarily, even in an emergency.
Without the right trust structure, assets that could have passed directly to your family may go through probate first, a process that is public, time-consuming, and costly.
The people who end up in the most difficult situations are rarely the ones who didn’t care. They’re the ones who kept meaning to get to it.
We help people understand the decisions they have to make and the pros and cons for their specific situation. Once they do, they have a clear idea of their goals and can plan the steps to get everything done. That’s exactly the kind of conversation we have at Bregman & Lantz.
What estate planning actually includes
Estate planning isn’t just writing a will. It’s putting together a set of documents that work together to protect you while you’re alive and make things clear and simple for your family after you’re gone.
Wills
A will is the foundation of any estate plan. It tells the world who gets what, who is in charge of your estate, and, if you have minor children, who will care for them. Without one, those decisions belong to the court, not you. A well-drafted will does more than pass along assets. It prevents fighting in families, reduces uncertainty, and gives the people you love a clear roadmap at an already difficult time.
Trusts
Financial Power of Attorney
A financial power of attorney gives someone you trust the legal ability to manage your finances on your behalf if you are unable to do so. Pay bills. Manage accounts. Handle real estate. Without this document, your family may have no legal ability to help you, even in a short-term health situation.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
A healthcare power of attorney names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot make them yourself. This is one of the most important documents you can have, and one of the most commonly overlooked.
Living Wills (Advance Healthcare Directives)
Why families in NEPA choose Bregman & Lantz for estate planning
What our clients say
Years of
Experience
Planning clients
per year
Initial discovery
conversation
Appointments
available
Proudly serving NEPA & outside communities
Here's how it works
We have a real conversation, no homework required
We explain your options in plain language
You’ll understand exactly what documents make sense for your family and why.
We prepare everything and walk you through it
When we’re done, you’ll know exactly what you have.