Erie County Estate Planning Lawyers

C.J. Zwick is a founding partner of Zwick Law. He is an independent thinker with a passion for helping his clients resolve their legal needs. C.J. maintains a healthy respect for intellectual thoroughness even if it challenges the status quo. C.J. decided to become an attorney to help and serve clients in Western Pennsylvania with their legal needs. While C.J. always knew that he would return to his hometown of DuBois, Pennsylvania to practice law, he first gained valuable experience at a prestigious Harrisburg-based law firm. While in Harrisburg, C.J. helped many Fortune 500 companies with their legal...

Third Generation Attorney.

John B. Payne, Attorney, established his practice in 1983, becoming a full-service general practice and litigation firm in 1988, when John received his LL.M. in Taxation. John lectures on estate planning and other topics to groups interested in legal issues. He is the author of Michigan Probate and Counseling the Elderly Client in Michigan, plus numerous articles and seminar manuals. Experienced in appellate matters John has appealed many criminal, civil rights and tax cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney Merwin grew up in New Bethlehem Pennsylvania. He received his high school diploma from Redbank Valley High School, his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate of Juris Prudence from the Massachusetts School of Law. Attorney Merwin's areas of practice include, but are not limited to, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Estates/Probate, Criminal Defense, DUI, Family Law, Landlord/Tenant and Civil Litigation. Attorney Merwin is admitted to the bar of: Pennsylvania Massachusetts Federal District of Massachusetts Federal Western District of Pennsylvania

I am a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law, where I served as Editor of the Law Review. I have been in continuous practice since October of 1984. I am also a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.

Dean Phillips is an attorney that focuses his practice in corporate and business representation, real estate, and civil litigation. Dean prides himself on his responsiveness and attention to detail. Dean is a 2019 graduate of Allegheny College where he received a bachelor's degree in History, with honors. In 2022, Dean graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar later that year. Dean is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

With my background in accounting as well as law, I can share my unique background and experience when working with individuals, families and small and mid-size businesses in the areas of estate planning, taxation, corporations and business planning, business acquisitions and sales, succession planning, business exit strategies and real estate.

Jeffrey R. Bellomo, Esquire is a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation under authorization of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. At Bellomo & Associates, LLC, we advise businesses, senior citizens, and their families about the legal challenges facing them today. For seniors and their families facing the issues of aging, we counsel clients and provide solutions on: Asset Protection, Specials Needs Trusts, Wills, Trust Design, Medicaid and Estate Planning, Nursing Home Matters & Estate Administration. Our business clients rely on our team as their legal counsel, trusted advisors and to assist them with succession planning for their...

Steven J. Fromm has been admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania since 1977. In addition to his law degree, he holds a doctorate of law degree, called an LL.M. in taxation, from the NYU Graduate Division School of Law received in 1977.

He became a C.P.A. in 1981 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From 1977 to 1981, he served as legal tax counsel for tax departments in Big 8 and regional accounting firms.

Since 1983, he has been admitted to practice tax law before the U.S. Tax Court.

Since 1981, he has...

John B Whalen Jr Esq • John B. Whalen, Jr., JD., LL.M., is an AV Peer Review Rated Preeminent 5.0 and Avvo Rated 10.0 Superb (obtaining over 95 client reviews and peer endorsements) premier and prestigious Attorney and Counselor at Law. • • He has amassed over 60 prestigious professional awards and over 5000 client reviews and endorsements. • Mr. Whalen concentrates his three decade career in the legal areas of Pa Probate, Pa Last Wills, Pa Estates, and Pa Estate Settlement. • Mr. Whalen provides brief free initial consults all seven days, requires a one hour ($450.00) consult fee paid in advance for...

Kathryn L. Sullivan never backs down, even with the most difficult of cases. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote — Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far — resonates with her in practice. She works as hard as possible to resolve her client’s cases efficiently and cost-effectively, bringing a willingness to work with the other party’s attorney amicably and collaboratively. However, if litigation is unavoidable, Kathryn loves nothing more than to be in the courtroom. She works relentlessly and without intimidation to protect her client’s best interests. Always the first attorney to arrive at the courthouse, Kathryn...

Attorney Rick is a member of the State Bar of Pennsylvania and is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania. Attorney Rick has tried cases in state court, before administrative agencies, and before arbitration panels. He regularly appears before the local magisterial district courts as well as the Montgomery, Berks, and Chester County Courts of Common Pleas. Attorney Rick is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Chad previously volunteered for several years with the VITA organization, a pro bono program that offered free...

The area of my chosen practices that I am truly the most passionate about is assisting the elderly. I have helped many clients who are facing the most financially difficult times of their lives to have certainty as they enter their golden years. I am up to speed in the latest techniques and in fact have had other lawyers refer their cases to me.

April M. Townsend is an attorney licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over a decade. She handles all aspects of family law, including divorce, equitable distribution, support, custody and adoption. She also assists clients with estate planning and estate administration. April received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD where she double-majored in Government & Politics and Criminal Justice and graduated with honors. She received her Juris Doctor from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University, admitted as a Conwell Law Scholar. While in law school, April began...

Wendy J. Ashby, Esquire prides herself on the responsiveness she provides to each and every client. Her philosophy of service is to pursue the most efficient resolution of each matter. Ms. Ashby is recognized for the creativity she brings to her legal strategies and negotiations. She is also revered for the aggressiveness in which she will fight for her clients' entitlements. Ms. Ashby has devotedly pursued the practice of law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1992 in the areas of Wills/Estates, Elder Law, Mediation, Family Law and Adoptions. Ms. Ashby is the owner of the...

Bethany L. Notaro, Esquire is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (BA, cum laude, Psychology), and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (JD). She obtained her undergraduate degree in the field of psychology, with a special concentration in the counseling arts. Ms. Notaro received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. While at Pitt, Ms. Notaro received various Scholarships and Honors for concentrated studies and academic achievement. Ms. Notaro focused her law studies on income taxation, trusts and estates, divorce issues, ADR, and strategic wealth planning. Bethany L. Notaro is also...

I am a Federally designated Debt Relief Agency Attorney, with experience in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Mortgage Modification, Debt Settlement, Fair Debt Collection/Debtors Rights. I also work in Small Business, Intellectual Property (including software licensing and entertainment law) and Elder Law. I take a compassionate view on all problems presented to me and many of my clients past and present have become personal friends. I am also an MBA with several years of practical experience as a Financial Planning Analyst with the NCR Corporation and this background provides me with unique insights into the economics of law which most...

For over 25 years, I have helped many clients with a variety of legal matters. I understand the stress and anxiety that a client goes through in the midst of these life changing events. My practice focuses on Divorce, Custody, Support, Bankruptcy and Estate Planning as well as Estate Administration. I have extensive trial experience, but I am committed to helping each client resolve their matters out of court whenever possible. Focusing on each client's particular needs and desires, in addition to a deep commitment to client service, is the foundation of my practice. Listening and working together with the client...

Carrie Ward is a business lawyer with a particular focus on entertainment, sports, communications, and media law clients. Carrie’s clients range from media group owners, small broadcasters and podcasters, actors, filmmakers, athletes, musicians, and start-up entrepreneurs. Ms. Ward also serves as outside general counsel to corporate clients. In addition to her private practice experience, Carrie worked in the legal departments of ABC, Inc. and Entercom Communications Corp. These experiences provide her a unique ability to analyze a client’s legal matter to create the most practical and economical solutions.

Ms. Ward also works with her clients...