Meridian Estate Planning Lawyers

Michael P. Thomas is a Partner with MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP. He assists individuals, closely held companies, and larger entities on a wide variety of estate planning, estate and trust administration, wealth transfer, succession planning, tax, and business matters.

Mike routinely assists clients with the design and implementation of both basic and complex estate plans that focus on accomplishing the client's individual objectives and minimizing the related tax consequences. He works closely with individual and corporate fiduciaries throughout estate and trust administrations. Mike has experience advising clients on a wide variety of sophisticated business transactions, employee benefit plan matters,...

John A. Lauer is a Senior Partner with the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP, where he is Chairman of the firm's Trusts & Estates Group. He is also a member of the firm's Business and Tax Groups. John's practice consists primarily of Estate and Tax Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Elder Law, and Business Law.

John received his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Gannon University in 1986 and his Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1996. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to beginning...

For over 35 years, Attorney Johnson has been providing a wide variety of personalized legal services at a reasonable cost to community members for commercial and residential real estate matters, workers' compensation, corporate and business formation, planning and contract and lease matters,including business sales & acquisitions, oil and gas leases, estate planning, wills,powers of attorney,and estate probate.In addition, his office provides services ranging from civil and criminal litigation, auto and personal injury, nursing home care negligence litigation, products liability, contract, and other serious matters involving litigation.

Jeff Youngs is a third-generation Attorney at Pepicelli, Youngs and Youngs, a firm that cares about its clients, and is well known for client-centered, affordable representation. He joins Pepicelli, Youngs & Youngs as a third-generation attorney, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John V. Pepicelli, who practiced law from 1953 to 1997, and his parents, Christopher J. and Lisa Pepicelli Youngs, who have practiced law in Meadville since 1983.

The firm has expanded to include Attorney Brian Cagle, who focuses on business, corporate, and municipal law, and elder law.

The firm has also added Attorney Sara Patterson, who...

Shaun B. Adrian is a senior partner at MacDonald Illig and a member of the firm's Estates and Trusts Group. He works with individuals and families to establish estate plans tailored to the client's needs, personal goals and tax objectives during life and after death. Shaun concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, and elder law.

Shaun's practice includes the preparation of wills, trusts, trusts for children with special needs, durable powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney and living wills, estate tax planning, guardianship matters, elder law and long-term care planning. He is...

Alan Natalie is a private solo practice attorney practicing in Northwestern Pennsylvania since 1989, committed to protecting the rights of thousands of individuals and families in times of loss; concentrating in the areas of Personal Injury (automobile accidents, wrongful death claims, dog bite injuries, medical malpractice, property owner liability claims), Criminal Defense (DUI, DWI, all misdemeanors, all felonies), Estate Litigation (suits prosecuting or defending estate executors, trustees, and other fiduciaries), Estate Planning (wills, living wills, advanced directives, powers of attorney), and Estate Administration (probate or settlement of any size estate, insolvent estates, trusts). All matters include a free consultation....

To sum me up....I care about the lives of the people who call me. Every person is unique and their needs are paramount to me. I'll never treat a person like a piece of paper and it's one of the reasons I don't like the legal field and what I see happening to it anymore. Commercials/ Billboards. The lack of caring between the attorney and client...the personal dynamic is getting lost so much out there. Not with me. My practice areas include: Personal Injury - Wrongful Death, Car and Truck Accidents, Slip and...

Attorney Toohey's practice is concentrated in the areas of business and real estate law, and estate planning and administration. He was involved with the formation and initial operation of Spectrum Control, Inc., Lake Erie Institute of Rehabilitation and Growing Places, Inc. He has represented clients and been personally involved in the development of condominium projects and other real estate developments. He has also represented several municipalities and authorities. Attorney Toohey is deeply committed to civic causes and has served on the boards of several civic, educational, and religious institutions.

Law Clerk, Honorable Murray H. Falk, Special Trial Judge, U.S. Tax Court, 1980-1981.

Mr. Spoden is a senior partner at MacDonald Illig. He concentrates his practice in the area of corporate, commercial and business law, with a special emphasis on taxation and estate planning for small business owners. He is also active in the area of business formation, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

Mr. Spoden is experienced in small business counseling including industrial, professional and service corporations.

Mr. Spoden is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Attorney Kuhn has over 40 years of experience practicing in the areas of residential, commercial and investment real estate transactions, land use matters and municipal law. Mr. Kuhn's practice also focuses on estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, elder care planning and business formation and post formation counseling. He is admitted to practice before all Pennsylvania Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Kuhn has also taught several law-related courses as an Adjunct Lecturer...

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...

As a native of Western Pennsylvania and a current area resident, I am strongly invested in the community. Since founding my Somerset criminal defense and personal injury law firm in Somerset in 1997, I have worked hard to protect the rights and best interests of the individuals and businesses I represent. In addition to my legal practice, I serve on the Somerset County Bar Association Board of Directors.

Reported cases

Commonwealth v. Three Hundred Ten Thousand Twenty Dollars ($310,020.00) In United States Currency, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 894 A.2d 154 (2006)
Gilmour Properties v. Board of Assessment Appeals of Somerset County, Commonwealth...

We have been providing compassionate legal services at reasonable prices in the Mount Pleasant area since 1990. I was born and raised in Mount Pleasant Township, have always been a part of the community, and intend to remain in the Mount Pleasant community for many years. I enjoy spending sufficient time with my clients so that we can best determine how we will be able to assist you. We routinely handle Estates and Estate Planning matters. We also handle general practice matters, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcies. As a debt relief firm, we help people file for relief...

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.

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.

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...

Rebecca A. Hobbs is an attorney with the law firm O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C. with offices in Pottstown and Phoenixville. She focuses her practice on elder law, special needs planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and Veteran’s benefits. Rebecca is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation as authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Rebecca received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Political Science from Eastern University in 2006. She received her Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law in 2009. She is licensed to practice in...

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...

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...

Russell E. Farbiarz, Esq. provides advice and counsel to families and individuals looking for creative and effective solutions to their legal problems. Mr. Farbiarz considers it a privilege to assist his clients with what is often the largest problem or, in many cases, opportunity they have faced – whether it be the death of a loved one, the purchase of a residential or commercial property, purchase of a business, or a divorce, custody or support matter – and is committed to helping his client achieve their objectives. Indeed, as one recent client wrote in a testimonial: “If you are looking...

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...

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...

Andrew Bellwoar has been practicing law for over 30 years; representing individuals, businesses, and public entities. His areas of practice consist of Wills/Trusts/Estate Administration, Business Contracts, Real Estate/Land Development/Zoning, and Municipal Law. In the beginning of his career, he served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Delaware County District Attorney's Office. After serving as an Assistant District Attorney, he went on to work in a law firm out of Delaware County. In 1998, Mr. Bellwoar then became a partner in a law firm, where he represented many clients. Andrew has won the Top Lawyer Award for many consecutive years,...

J.T. Herber, III primarily practices in the fields of criminal defense and civil litigation, including personal injury. His criminal defense practice includes the representation of clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges, as well as serious traffic violations in the Courts of Common Pleas throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania. Attorney Herber previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Schuylkill County. In civil cases, J.T. represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of civil disputes, including personal injury and wrongful death cases, as well as real estate, commercial, construction, landlord-tenant, and collections matters. Despite being...

Chari Alson Maddren has been practicing in the areas of trust and estate administration, estate planning, and elder law since 2003.
Chari received her juris doctor degree from Temple University, her masters in Public Health and a Gerentology Certificate from Boston University School of Public Health.
Chari holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor Designation.

Chari is a member of NAELA, the Delaware County Bar Association, the Chester County Bar Association, and the Chester County Estate Planning Council.

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.

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...