On January 8, 2020, the U.S. Department of Treasury and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reported that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) restarts this coming week. As soon as Monday, January 11, commencement for first-time borrowers and various existing borrowers will ensue. Solely community financial institutions are eligible to withdraw PPP loans on Monday, January 11. The second withdrawal of PPP loans will be disbursed on Wednesday, January 13 – this order of distribution is expected to bolster capital accessibility. Consequently, all remaining PPP lenders will be permitted to participate. Visit the SBA website for more information AttorneyJasmine Butler joined the… read more »

The Coronavirus Pandemic has demonstrated that Agricultural Businesses are vital to local community success and national supply chains. Additionally, the pandemic has increased the need for Agricultural Businesses to find ways to connect with customers and sell products online. If you need help bringing your current Agricultural Business into 2021 or you have an Agricultural Business idea that needs formalization or funding, the Pennsylvania Farm Bill may be able to help.  In 2019 the Pennsylvania Farm Bill created the Agricultural Business Development Center and provided various funding and grant programs for agriculture in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has announced that the Agricultural… read more »

With the newly authorized Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”), Congress has agreed to allot $284.5 billion to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. In this second round, prior PPP recipients may borrow up to $2 million – a significant decrease from the $10 million maximum permitted by the CARES Act; the bill specifically allocates $35 billion to new PPP borrowers.  New Information on Expenses  Section 276 of Division N in the new bill provides that these expenses are now wholly deductible for those who paid business expenses with forgiven PPP funds. The new bill… read more »

Among the tax law changes adopted by Congress to address this year’s Coronavirus epidemic is one that will allow you to help others and save on your tax bill at the same time.   The CARES Act, approved by Congress this past Spring, gives taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar tax deduction of up to $300 when they make a documented cash contribution to a qualified charity before December 31, 2020. In order for the cash contribution to be documented you will need a written record of the donation like a receipt from the organization indicating your name, contribution amount and date.  This is an above-the-line deduction,… read more »

Recent legislation will help Pennsylvanians to manage their digital assets safely and efficiently. In Act 72 of 2020, our Legislature amended Pennsylvania’s POA Act to specifically allow an agent under a power-of-attorney to access the principal’s electronic communications and digital assets. The amendment is modeled on language in the Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, and will assist an agent in navigating the requirements of online services to access and safeguard digital accounts and assets. Our online lives have become increasing complex, and our online estates – in the form of social media accounts, email addresses and communications, passwords, and other… read more »

In welcome news from Harrisburg, Governor Wolf has signed into law Act 97 of 2020, making the emergency provisions of remote on-line notary permanent.  Previously, the remote notary provisions were set to expire sixty days after the expiration of the Governor’s declared emergency regarding the Covid-19 epidemic.  Now Pennsylvanians will continue to benefit from the opportunity to sign remotely-notarized documents from the safety of their own home.   Remote notary is simple, inexpensive and safe.  The signer, notary, and witnesses all join an on-line meeting, and the signing of documents and notarial act are all completed electronically.  The process can take… read more »

CGA Law Firm is excited to welcome Beth Kern to the CGA Legal Team! Beth is a recent cum laude graduate of Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where she earned several significant awards. She was conferred an Outstanding Service to Law School Award for exemplary service and the John A. Fillion Memorial Award for her excellence in scholarship and professionalism. Specifically she was recognized as being the most likely to significantly contribute to the public and to the profession of labor and employment law.  These awards are evidence of Beth’s determination and work ethic, qualities she learned growing up in… read more »

CGA Law firm’s experienced team of employment attorneys will provide proactive business leaders at all levels with an update on key employment law developments. They will suggest strategies to help employers maintain compliance with the many legal challenges employers face in 2020, as well as a preview of what 2021 may have in store.  Join our CGA experts for an enjoyable and informative YCEA working-lunch during which hosts will encourage participants to share their insights, ask questions, and share valuable tips. We look forward to seeing you there! REGISTER NOW The featured speakers, Attorneys Zach Nahass and Christine Nentwig, are Co-Chairs of the… read more »

Contemplating Divorce: The Initial Consultation Many people predict that the aftereffect of the pandemic will be a baby boom, an increase in divorces, or a combination of the two.  Typically there is an increase in the number of divorces after summer break or the holidays because these are periods of time when people spend much time together, which causes them to critically reevaluate their relationships.   As people are sheltering at home during COVID-19, many couples are similarly reflecting on their relationships and deciding to make changes. If contemplating the life-changing events of a divorce, it is wise to seek legal… read more »

Buying a home is an exciting but often intimidating experience for people, especially for first-time buyers. People have a lot of questions about the process. One question is, “do I need an attorney?”. While the roles of the realtor and bank in a residential real estate transaction are obvious, the role of an attorney may be less so. But in real estate closings, as in all cases, the role of the attorney is to be an advocate for his or her client.  One very important reason to hire an attorney when buying a home has to do with the title… read more »