Happy New Year! This year brings to us several legal changes which will benefit to taxpayers for 2023 and beyond. For more details, contact CGA Law Firm’s Estate Planning attorneys. Increase for Estate Tax Exemption. This year, the amount that an individual can transfer estate tax-free automatically increases for estates of decedents passing away in 2023 from $12.06MM to $12.92MM, an inflation-index increase of $86,000. A married couple enjoys a combined exemption of $25,840,000. Keep in mind, however, that the exemption amount will decrease in the end of 2025 with the sunset of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act,… read more »
New Appointments and Honors – January 2023
Frank H. Countess was elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the York Country Day School. Frank was named one of the 300 Life Members of the York County Agricultural Society, which runs the York State Fair, the oldest state fair in the United States founded in 1765. Frank was also recently appointed to his third successive 4-year term on the York City Redevelopment Authority Board by Mayor Michael J. Helfrich and the York City Council, and was also elected to his second 4-year term on the York County Land Bank Authority Board of Directors by the York County… read more »
Attorney Frank Henisse Countess Named to The Power 30
The Central Penn Business Journal’s Power 30 for Law & Lobbyists [is] compiled by the editorial staff and management, [and] honors those who shape our communities and influence our quality of life through the legal and political foundations our society depends on. Ernest Long, Managing Editor for the Central Penn Business Journal Read more on Frank’s contributions to our communities on the CPBJ’s Power 30 List profile on Frank HERE. Shareholder | AttorneyFrank Henisse Countess is a Shareholder with CGA Law Firm. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, business law, commercial transactions, and estate planning and… read more »
Legal Excellence Awards 2021: CGA Law Firm
President of CGA Law Firm, Attorney Jeffrey L. Rehmeyer, congratulates Attorneys Devon Myers Kolomick, Frank Henisse Countess, Judge John C. Uhler, and Paralegal Barb Ross and Administrator Kerri Cassel, for their recognition in Central Penn Business Journal’s Legal Excellence Awards 2021. Attorney Devon Myers Kolomick was awarded the Legal Excellence Up and Coming Lawyers Award, which honors attorneys who have been admitted to the bar for 10 years or less and demonstrate professional accomplishment, community service and a strong commitment to the legal profession early in their careers. Paralegal Barb Ross was awarded the Legal Excellence Paralegal Award, which honors… read more »
Central Penn Business Journal Honors CGA Staff and Attorneys
The Central Penn Business Journal has recognized Frank Henisse Countess with the Legal Excellence 2021 Leaders in Law Award! Visit Frank Countess’ Bio HERE. The Central Penn Business Journal has recognized Judge Uhler with the Legal Excellence 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award! Visit Judge Uhler’s Bio HERE. The Central Penn Business Journal has recognized Kerri Cassel with the Legal Excellence 2021 Law Firm Administrator Award! The Central Penn Business Journal has recognized Barb Ross with the Legal Excellence 2021 Paralegal Award!
CGA Law Firm Raises Over $2500 for ALS Association!
On Thursday, August 12th, 2021, we hosted our very first Leadership Soak for the ALS Association: Greater Philadelphia Chapter and surpassed our fundraising goal of $2500! A BIG Thank You to all the attorneys, staff, and community members who came together for this! The Leadership Team prepares themselves for a huge bucket!Larry’s granddaughter found the super soaker!Bucket time for Jeff!Craig gets dunked!The Leadership Team and volunteer bucket-throwers!Frank forgot to put in his snorkel!The Leadership Team gets splashed!Jeff gets dunked!Craig didn’t take off his hat for this one!Larry welcomes the water bucket!Frank can’t get enough of this heat wave relief!What a… read more »
Leadership York Named Attorney Frank Countess “Outstanding Alumnus of the Year 2020.”
Each year, Leadership York recognizes one outstanding alumnus for their contributions to the greater good in our community. This year’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year is Frank H. Countess. The Outstanding Alumnus of the Year selection committee is comprised of past recipients of Leadership York’s Alumnus of the Year award and Leadership York staff. Frank is a 1997 graduate of the Leadership Training Program (LTP) and since graduating has served on numerous committees and boards in the community. His committee service would be too lengthy to list, but we think you will enjoy seeing where he has served since he… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Relaxing In-Person Notary Requirement for Real Estate
Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) for PA Notaries Governor Wolf approved a temporary lift in the personal appearance requirement of the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (RULONA) for PA notaries with specified safeguards. (Follow this link to view the notice on the Pennsylvania Department of State website: NOTICE.) All notaries who are using audio-visual technology as an alternative to personal appearance must: 1) become an approved Pennsylvania electronic notary (free application).2) use an e-notary solution already approved by the Department that offer remote notarization technology.3) indicate in the notary certificate that the notarial act was performed by… read more »
The SECURE Act and its Impact on IRAS, 401(K)S and 529 Savings Accounts
The SECURE Act On December 20, 2019 Congress passed a comprehensive governmental spending package, which included provisions creating the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. Congress’s intent with the legislation was to initiate long overdue revisions to make saving for retirement accessible for more Americans. Most provisions of this important retirement legislation go into effect on January 1, 2020 and affect individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans and 529 college savings accounts. Below are a few of the highlights of the SECURE Act: Age for required minimum distributions (RMDs) raised to 72. Americans will no longer be required to withdraw assets… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Real Estate Transactions During Closure Order
On Thursday, March 19th, Governor Wolf issued an order that went into effect at 8pm that evening — all “non-life sustaining businesses” in Pennsylvania must close their physical locations to slow the transmission of COVID-19. Enforcement of this order will begin on Monday, March 23rd at 8am. What Happens Now Although all parties which facilitate a real estate transaction (real estate agents, real estate brokers, attorneys, title companies, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, and contractors) cannot conduct in-person transactions, it appears that they may continue to complete any parts of the transaction that can take place remotely. Service activities that can be… read more »
