From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law practice group. In this biweekly column, Attorney Tim Bupp shares with you lessons and perspectives from his twenty-five years as an estate planner with CGA Law Firm. Is a prepaid funeral the right thing? I do not sell funeral plans, but I recognize them as an important issue related to estate plans. Funerals are complicated, expensive, and deserve our attention. Who makes funeral decisions? By time-honored caselaw in Pennsylvania, the responsibility of planning a funeral falls to your next of kin. While you could appoint someone in your Will to… read more »
Christine Bland Celebrates 20 Years with CGA
CGA Law Firm recognizes Paralegal Christine Bland for her remarkable 20 years of service. She embarked on her journey at CGA as a municipal paralegal, a role tailored to support the firm’s expanding municipal practice group. “Chris has been a true asset to CGA and our municipal law department. She is smart, hard-working, and always willing to go above and beyond. I truly value her expertise, dedication, and commitment to excellence,” stated Municipal Practice Group Chair Devon Myers. Chris’ contributions extend to serving over 35 municipalities and collaborating with 12 municipal attorneys, all while providing support to attorneys in various… read more »
POA – The Centerpiece of the Estate Plan
From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law practice group. In this biweekly column, Attorney Tim Bupp shares with you lessons and perspectives from his twenty-five years as an estate planner with CGA Law Firm. Everyone has heard of a Last Will and Testament and knows that a Will is an important piece of an estate plan. But is it the most important piece? Let’s discuss the power of attorney – an underappreciated but vital part of an estate plan. 1. What is a power of attorney? A power of attorney is a document where you… read more »
Green Acres: Pennsylvania’s ACRE Law and How It Helps Farmers
The agriculture industry represents a critical component to a thriving Pennsylvania economy. Currently, Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture estimates that farmlands occupy 7.3 million acres of land across the state. This means that farm lands constitutes twenty-five percent of Pennsylvania’s total land mass!! Agriculture contributes $132.5 billion to the economy each year, and one out of every ten jobs in Pennsylvania belongs within the agriculture industry. The significance of agriculture in Pennsylvania truly cannot be overstated. The significance of agriculture also renders it worthy of protection. The agriculture industry receives protection from all three branches of the Pennsylvania government. The General… read more »
Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act Restricts Local Government’s Ability to Amend Meeting Agenda
In 2021, the Sunshine Act was amended to provide new requirements for publishing and posting public meeting agendas. The amendment required local governing bodies to post agendas to their publicly accessible website at least 24 hours in advance of the public meeting. The Sunshine Act amendment, however, provided limited exceptions to allow governing bodies to add items to its already published agenda within 24 hours of the public meeting or at the public meeting. Those exceptions are enumerated in Section 712.1 of the Sunshine Act and include the following: a matter that relates to a real or potential emergency involving… read more »
CGA President Craig Sharnetzka Selected to Central Penn Business Journal Power 100 List
CGA Law Firm President and Shareholder Craig Sharnetzka has been recognized on the Central Penn Business Journal’s 2024 Power 100 List. This list recognizes leaders from various fields, such as law, finance, education, government, healthcare, business, and nonprofits. The Central Penn Business Journal’s editorial team and leadership curate this list based on the impact these individuals have on our communities and the quality of life in Central Pennsylvania. “It is certainly an honor to be recognized in the Power 100 List along with many talented and influential business and community leaders. I am humbled to be included on this list… read more »
LIVING TRUSTS – Are they worth the extra cost?
From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law section. In this biweekly column, Attorney Tim Bupp shares with you lessons and perspectives from his twenty-five years as an estate planner with CGA Law Firm. I am asked about the potential benefits of living trusts nearly every day. My answer: in specific situations, a living trust can provide clarity and benefit to your estate plan. However, as with nearly every other estate planning tool, one size does not fit all; not everyone will benefit from the extra effort and expense that go into creating and maintaining such… read more »
The Clock is Ticking – Obligate ARPA Funds Before the Deadline
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has provided many local governments with a financial boost to tackle the challenges the pandemic presented. However, with the deadline to obligate these funds less than a year away, municipalities must be mindful of the time limitations associated with the funds to ensure optimal utilization for their community’s benefit. Local governments have until December 31, 2024, to obligate all received ARPA funds. This means the governing bodies of municipalities must allocate the funds to specific projects, programs, or initiatives before this date to avoid loss of funds. Under the Final Rule, failure to meet this… read more »
Why Bankruptcy Still Beats Debt Consolidation Loans in a High-Interest Environment
Interest rates continue to rise, and individuals and businesses grappling with substantial credit card and unsecured debt find themselves navigating treacherous financial waters. Traditionally, debt consolidation programs have offered an alternative to bankruptcy by combining multiple debts into a single, manageable payment. However, as interest rates reach unprecedented highs, the once-reliable lifeboat of debt consolidation is increasingly becoming a sinking ship. As an experienced bankruptcy attorney, I’m now witnessing a shift in the financial dynamics that make bankruptcy a more viable option for those drowning in debt. Here are a few reasons why bankruptcy continues to gain prominence over debt… read more »
CGA Law Firm is Proud to Announce the Election of Hunter B. Schenck to Shareholder
CGA Law Firm is pleased to announce that Attorney Hunter B. Schenck has been unanimously elected as a Shareholder. With ten years of experience in litigation and real estate, Hunter has become an invaluable asset to CGA’s clients. For the past few years, she has been a member of CGA’s Technology Committee which works on exploring new ways to help attorneys and staff to better serve our clients. “Hunter has worked very hard in building her practice and continues to do so. This is certainly a well-deserved honor,” CGA President Craig S. Sharnetzka said. Schenck provides legal services to individuals… read more »
