Estate Planning & Trusts
Custom Last Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Special Needs Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Living Wills. We ensure your assets pass securely according to your wishes while avoiding probate.
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Delaware & Pennsylvania Legal Counsel
Delaware Probate, Estate Planning & Adult Guardianships
Personalized, seasoned legal guidance tailored to your family's unique life stage. From drafting comprehensive wills and revocable living trusts to navigating Chancery Court guardianships and the complexities of probate estate administration.
Transparent Flat Fee Pricing
Admitted in DE (2009) & PA (2014)
Delaware Today Top Lawyer
Individualized Legal Protection
We believe effective estate planning is never a one-size-fits-all form. We listen to your personal goals and deliver tailored roadmaps that protect what matters most:
- Wills & Revocable Trusts: Avoid probate, maintain family privacy, and preserve wealth.
- Incapacity Safeguards: Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives.
- Court of Chancery Representation: Compassionate adult guardianship petitions and accountings.
- Executor & Probate Guidance: Navigating 1–2 year estate settlements with zero guesswork.
Comprehensive Legal Solutions
Personalized Practice Areas
We serve families and businesses across New Castle County, Delaware and Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania with dedicated, full-spectrum representation.
Probate & Administration
Compassionate, step-by-step guidance for Executors and Administrators through the 1–2 year probate settlement process, Short Certificates, creditor notifications, and county tax compliance.
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Skilled representation before the Delaware Court of Chancery and Pennsylvania Orphans’ Court for appointing legal guardians of the person and property, plus mandatory Annual Accountings.
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Direct legal advisory services for named Trustees, Personal Representatives, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Proxies to shield against fiduciary liability and maintain statutory prudence.
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Optimizing capital gains basis step-up and minimizing heir income taxes under the $13.61M federal threshold, while unraveling outdated bypass trusts and avoiding co-ownership tax traps.
Explore Tax StrategiesBusiness & CTA Compliance
Assisting small business owners and family entities with mandatory Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act, plus Buy-Sell agreements.
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Client Personas
Who We Serve Across Life Stages
We are dedicated to serving the estate planning, probate, and adult guardianship needs of all types of clients and family structures.
Single Individuals
Naming trusted proxies for healthcare emergencies and asset distribution.
Business Owners
Buy-sell agreements, business succession, and asset shielding structures.
High-Net-Worth
Tax-efficient multigenerational wealth transfer and trust management.
Couples with Children
Guardian nominations, education trusts, and emergency directives.
Single / Divorced Parents
Ensuring assets benefit children rather than ex-partners or courts.
Blended Families
Harmonizing protections for biological children and current spouses.
Unmarried Partners
Securing legal inheritance and hospital visitation rights without default laws.
Special Needs Families
Supplemental Needs Trusts preserving vital Medicaid and SSI benefits.
Elder Care & Seniors
Long-term care strategies, nursing home planning, and Medicaid spend-down.
Grieving Families
Empathetic probate administration relieving administrative court burdens.
Cognitive Decline Needs
Chancery Court adult guardianships when advance directives are absent.
Outdated Plan Reviews
Auditing 10+ year-old plans for basis step-up and recent legislative changes.
Experienced Counsel
Meet Our Legal Team
Over a decade of seasoned legal counsel, dedicated pro bono service, and tireless client advocacy in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Elle Van Dahlgren, Esq.
Founder & Principal Attorney
Elle focuses on estate planning, probate, trust administration, and Chancery Court guardianships. Admitted to the Delaware Bar in 2009 and Pennsylvania Bar in 2014. Regularly honored as a Delaware Today Top Lawyer.
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Becca Summers, Esq.
Associate Attorney • USAF Veteran
Becca advises clients on powers of attorney, healthcare directives, wills, and asset protection. A 6-year veteran of the United States Air Force, she brings disciplined advocacy and dedication to her clients.
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Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Have to Say
Real feedback from families, small business owners, and colleagues who have trusted Elle Van Dahlgren Law, LLC.
★★★★★
“The first time we walked into your office was a very lucky day for us. You made everything so easy for us, and the apprehension I had felt went away. You made it a most pleasant experience. Thank you, Elle, for all that you do. Your professionalism and knowledge is awesome.”
★★★★★
“Elle is professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and most importantly cares deeply about her clients. Her office is beautiful, handicap accessible, and welcoming. I strongly recommend Elle for Wills, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, Guardianships, Estate Settlements, and Special Needs Trusts.”
★★★★★
“Elle walked us through each and every step of executing a critical Buy-Sell Agreement for our company, making sure we understood exactly how the process worked. Thank you, Elle, for making something we were avoiding for years as painless as possible.”
Start Planning Today
Schedule an Initial Consultation with Our Legal Team
Whether you need to draft a comprehensive will, manage an estate administration in probate court, or petition for adult guardianship, we are here to provide clear, compassionate counsel.