Bucks County Register of Wills Linda Bobrin is once again on the road this summer, leading her third annual Senior Center Tour to educate older residents about wills, probate, and estate planning.
As part of the tour, Bobrin and her team are presenting free one-hour estate planning sessions at ten senior centers across the county. Upcoming sessions are scheduled through August, with the next presentation taking place on July 14 at 10:45 a.m. at the Middletown Township Senior Center. (A full schedule of upcoming events is listed below.)
“People really don’t understand what happens if they don’t have a will,” said Bobrin, a practicing attorney for over 35 years. “The purpose of these senior tours is to help people understand why having a will is critical because if you don’t have one, the state of Pennsylvania decides where your assets go, and it might not be where you think.”
During each seminar, Bobrin explains the probate process in clear, accessible terms. As Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, she is responsible for overseeing estate administration and for determining who will manage a person’s estate after they die.
“In my office, we handle probate cases every day,” she said. “When someone dies and assets are only in their name, their loved ones need to come in and prove they have the right to act. That means either showing us a valid will where they are named executor or, if there is no will, applying to be the administrator.”
Attendees learn what qualifies as a valid will under Pennsylvania law. According to Bobrin, a will must be signed and dated at the bottom and include specific language such as an attestation clause, witness signatures, and notarization.
“We bring examples of handwritten wills that have been accepted, and some that haven’t,” she explained. “We talk about what’s required in Pennsylvania and what happens when things are missing. Most of the time we can cure it, but imagine telling someone who just lost a loved one that we can’t take their will because it’s not valid. That’s not what you want to hear when you’re grieving.”
Bobrin emphasizes that “something is better than nothing.” A simple, well-documented handwritten will may still be valid, but having a professionally prepared one is ideal. “We always recommend that people go to a Wills and Estates Attorney,” she said. “An experienced attorney can help you save on taxes, set up trusts, and ensure everything is done correctly.”
For those seeking legal help, she directs seniors to the Bucks County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at 215-348-9413.
Each presentation is interactive, with time set aside for questions. Bobrin said that she is often asked whether an old will needs to be updated. “A 40-year-old will can still be valid,” she noted. “But if your executor died or if there has been a major life change such as a divorce, a new house, kids, etc., you might want to revise it or add a codicil, which is like an amendment.”
She also warns against naming too many executors: “It’s better to name one and then a backup. If you name multiple children, you can end up with arguments or legal disputes.”
Bobrin discusses real-life examples from her office, including family members fighting over estates when no will exists. “We’ve had cases where two siblings claim different things about what a parent wanted. One says, ‘Mom wanted me to have the house because I cared for her.’ The other says, ‘No, we were supposed to share it.’ But without a will, we have no idea, so the estate gets split.”
“The hardest part of my job is when families fight. You might think your kids will get along, but you’d be surprised,” she added. “A clear will helps prevent that.”
Beyond general estate planning, the seminars also touch on specific topics, like whether to add children to deeds or bank accounts. “The lawyerly answer is: it depends,” she said. “Every situation is different.”
Bobrin also highlights resources for specific groups. Through a program called Wills for Heroes, her office partners with the Pennsylvania Bar Association to provide free wills and powers of attorney to veterans and first responders.“We do this four or five times a year,” she said. “Attorneys volunteer their time to meet with individuals one-on-one and give them a will that day.”
Despite the serious subject matter, Bobrin said these senior events are often fun and engaging. “We try to make it interesting with real stories and handwritten examples that show just how creative, and sometimes problematic, people can be. It’s really a cautionary tale in each case.”
She encourages seniors to take this opportunity to plan ahead: “The bottom line is: write something down. Ideally, go to an attorney and get a formal will. But at the very least, write your wishes, sign and date it, name an executor, and tell someone where your will is.”
All seminars are free and open to the public, with time set aside for general questions.
For more information or to contact the Register of Wills:
For residents in neighboring Montgomery County, contact:
Bobrin concluded, “You don’t have to be wealthy to need a will. You just need to care about what happens to what you leave behind. Planning ahead makes it easier for the people you love.”
