BUCKS COUNTY ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Spend an hour with the guardianship review officer of the Bucks County Orphans’ Court and a Bucks County attorney, who is the vice-chair of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee, learning about the recent significant changes to Pennsylvania’s guardianship law. Learn estate planning for older adult clients and help them navigate the complexities of guardianship law and how to plan for risks of incapacitation and potential elder abuse. The new law requires the Court to appoint an attorney to represent every person who is alleged to be incapacitated and does not already have an attorney.  The law mandates that the Court explore and implement lesser restrictive alternatives before appointing a guardian and explain its reasoning in its decision.  Any guardian representing three or more wards is required to be trained and certified. How are courts and attorneys working with this new law and what are the implications for your profession and business? How can you assist your clients in planning for the possible risk of cognitive impairment?  What must you do to comply with the new law and a guardianship decree?

The new law presents us with opportunities and pitfalls.  We will explore how to avoid the pitfalls, take advantage of the opportunities, and best serve our clients.

Speakers: Dianne Magee of Grim, Biehn & Thatcher and Eric Marttila of County of Bucks

Dianne has practiced law for over 40 years with 25 of those years at Grim, Biehn and Thatcher. Her practice focuses on estate planning, estate administration, Orphans' Court litigation, mediation and elder law, serving clients primarily in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Dianne has served as a member of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Orphans' Court Procedural Rules Committee since 2020 and is currently the vice-chair of the Committee. 

Eric has also practiced law for over 40 years. He started his career at the Bucks County District Attorney's Office then worked for 25 years in Philadelphia with 20 years at a labor law firm. He considers it a privilege to represent the disabled and disadvantaged. He currently serves as the Guardianship Review Officer of Bucks County to oversee the performance of duties of guardians who are appointed by the Court on behalf of incapacitated adults, so that their personal needs and financial assets are protected.

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