Free Consultation: (215) 495-6500Tap to Call This Lawyer
Stephen M. Asbel

Stephen M. Asbel

Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP
  • Estate Planning, Probate, Tax Law ...
  • New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Review This Lawyer
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial Media
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Probate
Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Tax Law
Estate Tax Planning
Family Law
Adoption, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
Business Law
Business Contracts
Real Estate Law
Residential Real Estate
Additional Practice Area
  • Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Law
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New Jersey
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Pennsylvania
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Partner
Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP
Current
Education
Villanova University
J.D. | Law
-
Villanova University Logo
University of Pennsylvania
B.A. | International Relations
-
Honors: Cum Laude, Distinction in Major, Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society
Activities: Penn Band, College Bowl
University of Pennsylvania Logo
Awards
Boutique Estate Planning
Corporate INTL Global Awards
2017-2019
Top Lawyers
Main Line Today
Top Estate Planning and Administration Attorneys List
Suburban Life Magazine
Distinguished Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement with High Ethical Standing
Martindale-Hubbell®
Lead Counsel Rated Attorney in Estate Planning Law
Lead Counsel
Lead Counsel Rated Attorney in Probate Law
Lead Counsel
Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals
Who's Who
Professional Associations
Delaware County Panel of Attorneys for Arbitrators
Member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Philadelphia Estate Planning Council
member
Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Delaware County Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Publications
Articles & Publications
The Perils of Procrastination in Administering a Deceased Family Member’s Estate
Reger Rizzo & Darnall Client Alert
Supreme Court Ruling Changes the Rules in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware: LGBTQ+ Employees’ Right to Bring Federal Discrimination Claims
Reger Rizzo & Darnall Client Alert
Executing Wills and Powers of Attorney During a Pandemic
The Legal Intelligencer
Second-Parent Adoptions: An Option for LGBTQ Parents
The Legal Intelligencer
Why You Should Pre-Plan Your Funeral
Client Alert
Protecting Your Will and Other Documents from Potential Challenges by Angry Relatives
Client Alert
Mark Twain was Wrong – New Land is Being Made But Who Owns It?
Client Alert
Speaking Engagements
Interviewed on Safe Money Radio
WDEL 1150 AM
September 2013
Websites & Blogs
Website
Stephen M. Asbel's Website Profile
Website
Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP Website
Legal Answers
19 Questions Answered
Q. Who inherits if sibling dies intestate in Pennsylvania?
A: Based upon the facts you describe, the estate would be divided into four equal shares - one each for the three living siblings and one share for the child/issue of the deceased sibling. You mentioned the deceased sibling had one living child. If the deceased sibling had any other children who are now deceased and such deceased children have children or descendants of their own who are living, the share of the deceased sibling would have to be divided among the living descendants of the deceased sibling. I would need to know what other descendants, if any, there are of the deceased sibling to address that.
Q. Is there specific language put in survivorship deed to show added name is my child to be exempt from PA transfer tax?
A: I do not know all the facts in your situation but before you proceed with adding your daughter to the title of this deed, you should consider the potential that doing so could reduce the benefit of stepped-up basis in calculation of capital gain tax if the house is sold in the future. The inheritance tax you are trying to reduce has a rate of 4.5 percent of the value of the house but the capital gain tax rate could be 15 or 20 percent on the increase in value of the property on the portion that would be owned by your daughter. Depending upon how long you have owned the house and other factors, adding your daughter to the title could result in capital gain tax of an amount greater than the inheritance tax you are trying to save. Also consider that once you add her to the title, you cannot unilaterally change your mind. If you want to sell the house, she would have to agree.

I recommend that you consult with an experienced estate planning attorney regarding your whole estate planning situation before you proceed with this transfer.
... Read More
Q. What should we do with my widowed mom's house to protect the heirs against capital gains upon her death?
A: From the information given, it appears that the best thing to do to protect against capital gain tax on your mother's house after her death is to do nothing. If she holds ownership of the house until her death, there will be stepped up basis for calculating capital gain. That is, the capital gain would only be gain that occurs after her death. If the house is sold soon after her death, there will likely be no gain at all.
View More Answers
Contact & Map
Reger Rizzo & Darnall LLP
Philadelphia, PA
Cira Centre, 13th Floor
2929 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19104
US
Telephone: (215) 495-6500
Fax: (215) 495-6600