Article by: Attorney Timothy Bupp and Paralegal Cori Spisak Earlier this week, our Legislature acted to make Pennsylvanians safer by strengthening the use of remote notarization in the Commonwealth. Act 15 of 2020, signed by Governor Wolf on April 20, gives statutory support to the Governor’s previous Executive Orders on remote notary. Notaries can now assist with the signing, witnessing and notarization of legal documents without the signors physically appearing before the notary agent. Act 15 also expands the use of remote notary to a wider range of documents and to signors outside of the boundaries of our Commonwealth. These protections will… read more »
COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide Released
The USDA and its Federal government partners have programs to provide temporary and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The programs assist recovery for rural residents, for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, hospitals, etc. The programs offer assistance with financial issues, management, training, technical support, and state and local compliance. Follow the link below for a resource matrix to identify funding opportunities in the CARES Act and other federal resources. https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf For updates on immediate action that the USDA is taking in response to COVID-19, visit usda.gov/coronavirus. For information and news from the CDC on COVID-19, visit coronavirus.gov. If you need… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Changes to FSA Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation, and Safety Net Programs
COVID-19 Update: Changes to FSA Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation, and Safety Net Programs USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are available by phone to continue helping agricultural producers with loan servicing, program signups, and other important actions. The FSA is also loosening the loan-making process and adding flexibility to servicing loans to provide credit to producers in need. FSA programs and services include: Farm loans;Commodity loans;Farm Storage Facility Loan program;Conservation programs; Safety net programs (including 2020 signup for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs);Disaster assistance programs (including signup for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus);Acreage… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Remote Notary for Estate Planning Now Available During Emergency
Written by Attorney Timothy J. Bupp, CELA; CGA Estate Practice Chairman The COVID-19 emergency has created unwanted stress for those of us in quarantine. The risk of illness, particularly for older persons, has caused concern regarding whether we can get the legal help we need. Review estate planning documents Many have taken this time to rethink their estate planning documents, including wills, health care directives, and powers of attorney. Unfortunately, during this uncertain time when having these documents in place has never been more important, the shelter-in-place order makes it more difficult than ever to arrange the necessary meetings with professionals to prepare,… read more »
COVID-19 Update: Congress Expands Access to Retirement Accounts During Emergency
COVID-19 Update: Congress Expands Access to Retirement Accounts During Emergency Written by Attorney Timothy J. Bupp, CELA; CGA Estate Practice Chairman Among the many provisions of the $2.2 trillion dollar CARES Act passed by Congress in March are several directed at retirement plans. These provisions loosen the usual restrictions on qualified accounts for those suffering economically from the current emergency. — Emergency Withdrawals. Early withdrawals from an IRA or qualified plan account usually trigger a ten- percent excise penalty. However, the CARES Act now allows Covid-related distributions from a qualified account of up to $100,000 without the penalty, so long as the participant repays the… read more »
A Message from the Estate Practice Group Chair
A message from the Estate Practice Group Chair In these difficult times, our first, last and foremost thought is the safety and well-being of our clients, our employees, and all of our families. In such times of uncertainty, all of us desire the reassurance of knowing that essential estate planning documents are in place to provide for and protect our loved ones. At CGA, our goal is to assure our clients that they have the strong and updated estate documents they need, provided in a manner that protects the safety of our clients, our employees, and our nation. To that… read more »
Animal Lovers Should Give Thought to the Care of Their Pets
Article by: Timothy J. Bupp, Esquire When preparing a client’s estate planning, we try to anticipate every need and plan for every consideration in their lives. Such planning would be incomplete if it did not take into consideration the future care of animal pets. A recent study indicates that sixty-eight (68%) percent of American households, or about 85 million families, have animal pets. Pets provide love and companionship, and fulfill an important need in the family. It is only appropriate that care be given to the disposition of animal pets as part of your estate plan. Puppynup. Animal pets can come into a marital union… read more »
Municipalities Should Help their Residents to “Age in Place”
Article by: Timothy Bupp, Esquire We are growing older — surprise! — not only individually, but also as a county. York Countians today are living longer, fuller lives. Our average life expectancy today is 79 years, as compared to 49 in 1900. Today more than 38% of York Countians are over age 50, and 16% are 65 or older. The number of county residents age 85+ is expected to triple in the next twenty years. While our senior population continues to age, suitable housing options for older York Countians is not keeping up. Not only is currently-available housing inadequate for… read more »
PA Supreme Court Sides with Farmers in Synagro Case
Municipalities are frequently witness to the tensions between large-scale farmers and their residential neighbors who resent the effects of these farms on their way of life. Concentrated farming operations are strictly regulated by the Commonwealth; but even a large-scale farm that complies thoroughly with all of Pennsylvania’s requirements can generate odors, insects or runoff which create at least the perception of problems or violations in the eyes of neighbors. Municipal officials are often pulled in both directions – to support one side’s position or take action to correct the other. Fortunately for municipalities, legislative and legal guidance is available to… read more »
