Archive for the ‘Estate Planning and Administration’ Category

An eighteenth birthday is an exciting milestone. It often signifies high school graduation and movement to the next stage in life. It can be hard to believe that the person who may still rely on you for money, food, and lodging is now, legally speaking, an adult with rights of their own. Turning 18 is a critical moment in estate planning—regardless of whether your child intends to work part-time or full-time, attend college, or even take a gap year to travel. Once your child becomes a legal adult, they gain a host of rights and responsibilities. At the same time,… read more »

Earlier this month, we celebrated National Author’s Day. In that regard, the Firm would like to recognize its author, Jeff Rehmeyer. Jeff is the past president of the Firm and has served in management for decades. Jeff has assisted clients with estate planning since he entered the practice of law, as many would seek his counsel on these important, personal matters. As time has progressed, Jeff has facilitated an increasing amount of estate planning and administration for his clients, seeking to help them protect their loved ones and assets. Jeff’s business experience and superior client service allow him to understand… read more »

There are three main documents—plus one letter—that you and your family members can prepare to alleviate most of the legal difficulties that arise in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney (POA) ensures that someone can access information and provide assistance when needed. It designates an individual who can make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to do so. A well-drafted POA anticipates potential issues, does not have an expiration date, and is recognized as legally valid because of how it is written and executed. A POA may authorize one or more… read more »

Documents are important to your furry friends, too For many of us, pets are cherished family members. As an estate planning attorney, I often work with clients who want to ensure their pets are well cared for after they’re gone. Fortunately, this can be accomplished by incorporating provisions into your Will that establish a Pet Trust upon your passing. A Pet Trust offers several important benefits: 1. Legal Recognition of Your Pet’s Care Since pets are legally considered personal property, you can’t leave money directly to them. However, a Trust allows you to earmark funds for their care in a… read more »

From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law practice group. In today’s world, good estate planners have increasingly complex and powerful tools that they can use in your documents to provide protection for your loved ones and your resources in a variety of situations.  Trusts themselves have become increasingly complex, and sometimes trust provisions come into conflict with new changes in law or practice.  This is where a “trust protector” can become a useful tool to make your documents work well, even in new and challenging situations.    1.        What is a “Trust Protector”?  A trust… read more »

CGA Law Firm is pleased to announce the addition of Summer M. Pannizzo to our firm as an associate attorney. Summer joins our business law, estate administration and planning, and real estate practice groups, bringing a fresh perspective to the team. Summer earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where she distinguished herself by obtaining a Business Law Certificate and participating in the Wayne State Transactional Competition. Her involvement in Moot Court, Trial Advocacy, and Mock Trial demonstrates her commitment to honing her advocacy skills. During her time at Widener, Summer showcased her dedication to community service… read more »

From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law practice group. As we step into a new year, it is not just about setting personal goals but also ensuring the long-term security of our loved ones, particularly our minor children. Estate planning, often overlooked during annual resolutions, is a vital aspect of securing our children’s future. Raising and providing for our children is perhaps the most important thing that we do in our lives. Therefore, it is only sensible that we take great care in making provisions for our minor children in our estate documents. 1.        The… read more »

From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law practice group. If your beneficiary is a person with a disability (“PWD”), creating a special needs trust for their benefit can be one of the most important things you ever do. Our goal in estate planning is to ensure that our assets will provide our loved ones with benefits for their health, safety, and well-being.  In some circumstances, such a beneficiary may already be receiving state or federal benefits such as Medicaid, SSI, or SNAP benefits, which are “means-tested”; that is, a beneficiary with too many assets in… read more »

By Noah Yeagley and Attorney Timothy Bupp August, the month of warm weather, vacations, and sunshine, is also notable as National Make-A-Will Month. While August keeps us busy with sun and fun, we should take some time to remember how important a Will is, how easy and straightforward the process of preparing a Will can be, and how beneficial a Will can be for our loved ones and our own peace of mind.  Let’s take a moment to celebrate the important role that a Will plays in your estate plan and the many protections and benefits a good Will can provide… read more »

From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law practice group. A good estate plan for a farm family needs to recognize and take advantage of the various tools available for protecting the farm operation and aiding farm family succession.  Our Commonwealth has recognized the importance of farming to our communities, and has created a number of beneficial programs that can aid family farmers to continue the farming operation into the next generation.  This article describes only a few of those beneficial programs.  1.        Clean and Green.  Pennsylvania’s “Clean and Green” program is a wonderful benefit for… read more »