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REAL ESTATE
The real estate section of the firm provides legal expertise and
support staff to help our clients sell or purchase real estate using
the most current technology. We provide
complete title examination and settlement services, can meet all of
our clients' title insurance needs in-house, and can assist our
residential and business clients in securing financing in a timely,
affordable and helpful manner. We are also experienced in correcting
real estate title problems, preparing and enforcing contracts and
warranty claims, and assisting our clients with zoning, subdivision,
construction and environmental matters.
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ELDER LAW
The Elder Law section of our firm is devoted to servicing the legal
needs of our senior citizen clients. In a cooperative effort with
our clients and their families, we conduct an individualized legal
checkup which provides us with the information necessary to
make recommendations to our clients to assist them in preserving
their financial assets, including their homes, and to ensure that
their dignity is considered and preserved as their need for
assistance with the activities of living increases with age. Through
Medicaid and estate planning and the utilization of appropriate
documentation, we can often help our clients and their families avoid
or minimize the heavy cost of long term care and inheritance taxes.
Our legal staff reviews and prepares advance health care directives
(living wills), powers of attorney, Last Wills and Testaments,
trusts, and other specialized documents where appropriate.
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CIVIL LITIGATION
The firm has a long and storied history of litigation in the state
and federal courts throughout western Pennsylvania. Beginning in the
1930s with the firm’s founder, Robert M. Dale, and continuing
through the present, the firm has obtained some of the largest
verdicts in Venango County history, and has also successfully
defended many individuals and businesses. In our litigation
practice, we regularly handle personal injury claims (motor vehicle
accidents, injuries from defective products, wrongful death cases),
as well as cases involving commercial disputes, faulty or defective
construction, and insurance disputes. We have experience
representing both plaintiffs and defendants, and we work closely
with our clients to ensure that they receive a fair and prompt
resolution of their litigation matters.
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COMMERCIAL BANKRUPTCY
With over 20 years of experience in bankruptcy matters, we represent
both creditors and business debtors in reorganizations and liquidations under
the Bankruptcy Code. If you are owed money from someone in
bankruptcy, don’t assume that there is nothing you can do. Contact
us for a no-obligation initial consultation first.
If your business is having financial difficulties, contact us for
information about the bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy options that may
be available.
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BUSINESS
Starting and growing a successful business or professional practice
requires skill and hard work - from you and your legal advisors. We
can help you get started on the right foot as a sole proprietorship,
partnership, corporation or limited liability company. We will work
with you and your other advisors so that we understand your business
and can help you make it prosper. Our experienced business attorneys
will provide you with practical, timely help with borrowing, leases,
contracts, employment issues, litigation and almost any other legal
matter which may affect your business.
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CORPORATION
Starting and growing a successful business or professional practice
requires skill and hard work - from you and your legal advisors. We
can help you get started on the right foot as a sole proprietorship,
partnership, corporation or limited liability company. We will work
with you and your other advisors so that we understand your business
and can help you make it prosper. Our experienced business attorneys
will provide you with practical, timely help with borrowing, leases,
contracts, employment issues, litigation and almost any other legal
matter which may affect your business.
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PARTNERSHIP
Starting and growing a successful business or professional practice
requires skill and hard work - from you and your legal advisors. We
can help you get started on the right foot as a sole proprietorship,
partnership, corporation or limited liability company. We will work
with you and your other advisors so that we understand your business
and can help you make it prosper. Our experienced business attorneys
will provide you with practical, timely help with borrowing, leases,
contracts, employment issues, litigation and almost any other legal
matter which may affect your business.
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ESTATE PLANNING
A well-planned estate is one of the greatest gifts that you can give
your loved ones - not to mention what it will do for your own peace
of mind. We work with you to gather information about your assets
and wishes. With that information, we then help you choose the
techniques which best suit your situation. In estate planning, one
size definitely does not fit all. Depending on the complexity of
your circumstances and your wishes, your estate plan may include not
only a Will, but also one or more trusts, a family limited
partnership, a life insurance trust, an irrevocable trust,
charitable gifts or trusts, or any combination of these or other
techniques designed to carry out your wishes while minimizing
taxes. You may also choose to have us draft a power of attorney or
an advance directive for health care (a “living will”) as part of
your estate plan.
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WILLS AND TRUSTS
A well-planned estate is one of the greatest gifts that you can give
your loved ones - not to mention what it will do for your own peace
of mind. We work with you to gather information about your assets
and wishes. With that information, we then help you choose the
techniques which best suit your situation. In estate planning, one
size definitely does not fit all. Depending on the complexity of
your circumstances and your wishes, your estate plan may include not
only a Will, but also one or more trusts, a family limited
partnership, a life insurance trust, an irrevocable trust,
charitable gifts or trusts, or any combination of these or other
techniques designed to carry out your wishes while minimizing taxes. You may also choose to have us draft a power of attorney or
an advance directive for health care (a “living will”) as part of
your estate plan.
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PROBATE
The process of making sure that an estate plan is carried out after
death is generally referred to as “probate” (though technically
“probate” is only the process of making sure that a Will of a
decedent is valid). If you are named as an executor (personal
representative) of an estate or as a successor trustee under a
trust, our experienced estate attorneys and staff can help you
navigate the complexities of filing required income, inheritance and
estate tax returns and the ensuring of proper distribution of the
decedent’s property. An executor or trustee can be held liable by
the estate’s or trust’s beneficiaries (as well as the taxing
authorities) for any mistakes, so it is a good idea to obtain the
help of an experienced estate attorney as early as possible. Let us
give you peace of mind.
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DIVORCE AND
CUSTODY
When you are in need of legal advice in the areas of divorce and
custody, our firm provides you with a vast amount of
experience. Divorce and custody disputes are fraught with emotion,
and you will receive expert, objective guidance in a professional
and compassionate manner. In addition to these areas of family law,
we have experience with child and spousal support issues, adoptions,
pre-nuptial agreements and protection from abuse actions. Our family
law practice spans our entire region, including Clarion, Crawford,
Forest, Jefferson, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties. When you contact us in
order to find out about your rights, all of the information we
obtain will be held in the strictest confidence. We look forward to
helping you through one of the most difficult and
personal times of your life.
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PROPERTY TAX
ASSESSMENT APPEALS
Members of the firm are experienced in handling both residential and
commercial property tax assessment appeals. In 1998, Keith Pemrick
handled 26 tax assessment appeals which were filed after McKean
County performed a county-wide tax reassessment. The firm has the
capability of filing the necessary appeal documents and representing
the client at hearings before the Board of Assessment Appeals and
the Court of Common Pleas, and we can also assist our clients in
selecting qualified appraisers to present expert testimony on behalf
of the client.
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