Planning for a loved one with a disability often brings up difficult questions. How can you provide long-term financial support without putting government benefits at risk? Two of the most commonly used tools are Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) and ABLE Accounts. Each serves a different role, and understanding the differences can help...
Estate Planning for Pet Owners: Creating a Pet Trust
For many of us, pets are part of the family. But unlike other family members, they can’t speak up for themselves or make arrangements if something happens to us. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead. A pet trust allows you to provide instructions and financial support for your animal’s care if...
Legal Considerations for Family Businesses Bringing in Outside Investors
As family businesses grow, many reach a point where outside investment becomes a practical way to fund expansion, improve operations, or support succession planning. But bringing in outside capital often raises concerns. How do you maintain control? What happens to the family’s long-term vision? And how do you align a new investor’s...
Evaluating Opportunity Zone Investments: Legal and Tax Considerations
If you're looking to reduce capital gains taxes while making a long-term investment, Opportunity Zones may sound appealing. These zones were created to attract capital to underdeveloped areas by offering investors significant tax incentives. While the potential benefits are real, it’s important to understand the legal and tax rules that come with...
Legal Challenges in Multi-Generational Family Businesses
Running a family business across multiple generations is both rewarding and complex. When relatives are involved in day-to-day decisions, disagreements can become personal, succession can be uncertain, and legal risks may increase. At Jones, Gregg, Creehan & Gerace, we help Pennsylvania family businesses protect what they’ve built while planning for a successful...
What Happens to Your Loved One’s Estate Immediately After They Pass Away?
There are few things more emotionally traumatic than losing a loved one. Our close relatives are such a major part of our lives, and when they pass away we are faced with having that absence in our lives. Nevertheless, there are things you are going to have to attend to when your...
7 Questions to Ask a Business Attorney
If you and your business are seeking legal representation, you are going to want to find out about the attorney and law firm you are considering retaining. This involves having one or more meetings at which you will need to find out as much as possible about the firm. This is to...
What are the Rules for Inheritance in Pennsylvania?
Many people here in Pennsylvania have taken steps to address their estate planning. These folks have drafted wills or created trusts that will ensure that their assets go to their assigned heirs or beneficiaries upon their death. But a surprising number of people haven’t done this, trusting the future of their loved...
Guidelines for Drafting a Business Contract
Business contracts are a key part of making sure you get what you bargained for when you make a deal. Where in the past, many businesses could get by on a handshake, in today’s world, if you don’t get it in writing, then you may be setting yourself up for bigger problems...
Benefits of Having a Business Lawyer Present When Signing a Contract
Many experienced business owners have been through contract negotiations and think they can save a few dollars by not hiring an attorney. While this may work out for them, they could be taking an unnecessary risk since they may be missing the many benefits of having a business lawyer present to help...