Archive for the ‘Tim Bupp’ Category

With the holiday season in full swing, it’s likely you’ll see your parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members in the next few weeks. In addition to food, songs, and other merrymaking, this is also the perfect time to speak with your family about more serious topics, such as their estate plan. How To Bring Up The Topic: Let your family member/s know you’d like to discuss their estate plan during a less-hectic part of the holidays. During your conversation, ask how up-to-date their documents are, and if changes or updates need to be made. These could include new additions… read more »

The recent SECURE 2.0 Act enacted by Congress has introduced a series of new strategies to help reduce burdens on taxpayers. CGA Law Firm has previously reviewed the SECURE 2.0 Act in general and highlighted some of its advantages to taxpayers. Today we will highlight a beneficial move that can help you and your college-bound children or grandchildren benefit more from their dollars.  Utilizing a 529 Plan – a tax-advantaged college savings plan under IRC Section 529 – has long been a solid strategy for tax avoidance. A donor can set up a plan for college-bound family members, usually depositing… read more »

Estate planning offers protection and security for you and your family. Having well-crafted documents can help ensure your loved ones will be equipped to handle your estate matters smoothly without any disagreements or uncertainties. Nevertheless, numerous estate plans contain avoidable errors that only serve to complicate matters or even spark conflicts. Here is a list of common mistakes to avoid. 1. Identify your beneficiaries correctly. Too often, problems arise when a bequest to “John Smith” or “my niece Mary” goes astray. Our world is full of John Smiths and Marys, and problems can arise if bequests are identified too vaguely. Problems also arise if… read more »

Your wedding is a time of bliss and endless possibilities for a bright future together. While planning for your perfect day, don’t forget to protect those you love, as you start your new life together. Marriage is the right time to ensure your estate documents are in order. As you prepare for your future, take the time to meet with your estate attorney. Putting into place your vital documents like Wills, powers-of-attorneys, and health care directives will help provide you with the peace of mind that you will need for your perfect day. A Will is an essential document that… read more »

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 »

Happy New Year! The new year brings to us new numbers to keep in mind for municipal decision-making in 2023: Bid advertising requirements. In 2023, the threshold requiring advertisement of a municipal bid will increase to $22,500, up from $21,900 in 2022. The amount requiring collection of multiple telephone quotes for municipal work will increase to $12,200, up from $11,800 in 2022. Municipal action below the threshold of $12,200 will not require competitive solicitation. While these numbers are up, they have not increased at pace with the 8.2% increase in the consumer price index; Pennsylvania statute prevents the increase of these bidding requirements from exceeding… read more »

In today’s world, protecting your family with solid estate planning is more essential than ever. The recent pandemic reminds us that having good estate documents in place is necessary. A sturdy Will can assure that your assets pass as you desire and your instructions will be observed. A Durable Power of Attorney empowers another to help when someone is injured, incapacitated, or frail. A Health Care Directive assures that medical services will be administered as you desire. Our legal team is current with recent changes in the law and can help you keep your estate plan up to date. Having… read more »

For more than thirty years, the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County (FNLT) has been working to preserve our County’s finest farm ground, woodland, soils, streams, and wetlands. FNLT is now accepting applications from interested landowners for preservation in its 2022 season. Owners of properties containing farms, open spaces, and other natural resources are welcome to apply. Landowners who preserve their property with FNLT can receive financial payment and tax deductions while assuring that their property will be shielded from unwanted future development. FNLT protects properties with a conservation easement, a flexible tool that provides future protection while… read more »

York County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program is currently receiving applications for their 2022-2023 preservation program. Applications for farms can be submitted through February 15, 2022, for the ranking process. The highest-scoring farms will be offered for preservation. Qualifying farms should be a minimum of fifty acres in size or adjacent to another preserved property, and must meet program requirements regarding soil quality, production and other criteria. Landowners should submit their completed application (available at yorkcountypa.gov), and can consult with the Program staff office at 2401 Pleasant Valley Road, or at (717)-840-7400 for details and requirements. The York County Agricultural Land… read more »

Municipal Planning for the Coming Solar ExpansionWhile PA’s solar power industry is rapidly growing, government regulation of solar power remains in its infancy. Pennsylvania currently has no state laws or regulations for solar arrays. This leaves local municipalities as the first line of regulation for solar collection systems. The following are just a few of the important issues for municipalities to keep in mind as they attempt to provide appropriate regulation of solar facilities.Use a good definition. Municipalities should be forward-looking in defining solar use to control ancillary uses and construction such as storage and distribution of energy. An increasing amount of solar array… read more »