Grim Law

Grim Biehn & Thatcher

Firm News

Community Associations Institute’s Annual Conference & Expo

On May 11, 2017, members of Grim, Biehn & Thatcher’s Real Estate and Litigation Department CAI Conference Logo May 2017including Kelly L. Eberle & Michael K. Martin, attended the Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley Chapter of the Community Associations Institute’s Annual Conference & Expo held at Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, PA.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) is a National membership organization of community association managers, and Grim, Biehn & Thatcher is a member of the Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley Chapter which includes the communities of Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Northern Delaware.

The Conference is an informational opportunity for Community Managers & Homeowners, and attendance at the event is free.  A number of educational programs, as well as admission to the Exhibit Hall, are available to all attendees, and Grim, Biehn & Thatcher sponsored a welcome breakfast for all attendees.

CAI Conference - Session May 2017

CAI Conference May 2017

CAI Conference - Session 2 May 2017

Some of the educational sessions available to attendees included workshops on Medical Marijuana’s Impact on Community Associations, a Board Member Boot Camp, and How to Deal with Hostile Environments in Community Management.

From assisting in the preparation of declarations, bylaws, amendments, liens, rules and regulations to board governance, contract reviews, interpretation of home owners association documents, the enforcement of rules and regulations, dispute resolution, pursuit of collection matters, and dealing with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issues as well as insurance, Grim, Biehn & Thatcher has a long history of representing both large and small community associations as general counsel to both residential and commercial condominiums including:

  • Village 2 Community Association, Inc. – A 300 unit residential complex including pools and tennis courts.
  • Logan Square Condominium Association – A commercial condominium.
  • Trowbridge Community Association – An 83 unit residential complex.
  • Summit Condominium Association – A commercial condominium consisting of professional offices.
  • Barnes Court Condominium Association – A 9 unit residential complex.

CAI Logo

To learn more about the Delaware Valley Chapter of CAI, become a member, or attend a future conference, click here.

PSATS’ Annual Education Conference

In April of 2017, members of Grim, Biehn & Thatcher’s Municipal Department, including John B. Rice, Mary C. Eberle, Jonathan J. Reiss, H. Peter Nelson & Patrick M. Armstrong, attended the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors’ Annual Education Conference and Trade Show held at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA.

PSATS Conference

PSATS is a membership organization of second class township elected officials created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1921.  Membership in the organization includes access to educational resources and programs to help township officials and employees better serve their communities.  The 2017 Conference included numerous educational workshops and training opportunities in local government for both township officials and staff.

While at the conference, Jonathan J. Reiss attended the Township Solicitor’s Seminar on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the Hotel Hershey.  Topics addressed at the Solicitor’s Seminar included:

PSATS Conference - Auditorium

  • Labor & Employment Law
  • Municipal Stormwater Permitting
  • Police Department Management
  • Crisis Communications

To learn more about PSATS, become a member, or attend a future conference, click here.

Senior Awareness Day: ‘The Basics of Estate Planning’ featuring Dianne C. Magee

On Saturday, April 30, 2017, Dianne C. Magee was the guest speaker at the Senior Awareness Day event hosted by New Jerusalem Lutheran Church located at 3233 Apples Church Rd in Bethlehem, PA.  The goal of the event was to educate and inform seniors, their family, and caregivers of the current issues facing seniors today.

New Jerusalem Lutheran Church

At the event, Attorney Magee spoke on the Basics of Estate Planning including wills, trusts, guardianships, and powers of attorney.  In her speech, Dianne addressed popular Estate Planning topics such as:

  • What is a will?
  • What should a will do?
  • Do I need a will?
  • What happens when I die without a will?
  • What are the different powers of attorney?
  • What are the Pennsylvania Inheritance & Federal Estate Tax?

After her speech Attorney Magee participated in a Q&A with attendees.

Click here to learn more about Attorney Magee and let Grim, Biehn & Thatcher help you in all of your estate planning needs.

Estate Law Seminar: ‘The Probate Process from Start to Finish’ featuring Dianne C. Magee

On Monday, March 20, 2017, Dianne C. Magee was the speaker at the National Business Institute seminar entitled, “The Probate Process from Start to Finish.”

D Magee

At the seminar, Attorney Magee spoke to her fellow attorneys, as well as paralegals, accountants, trust officers, and financial and estate planners, who were all in attendance.  In her speech, Dianne detailed step-by-step the information needed to confidently and ably navigate the probate system.

Attorney Magee was one of four speakers at the seminar.  She spoke on several topics including:

  • “Law of Intestate Succession”
  • “Probate Property vs. Non-Probate Assets”
  • “Sale of Property and Distributions”NBI Logo

Click Here to register and learn more about this and future National Business Institute Seminars.

Ask the Attorney: Business Tax Credits

robin-oneillBusinesses that are authorized to do business in Pennsylvania, and which are subject to certain Pennsylvania taxes, are eligible to receive tax credits under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program (OSTC) for contributions of cash, personal property or services to scholarship programs, educational improvement organizations, pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations or opportunity scholarship organizations approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.

The EITC program offers a tax credit of between 75% and 90% of the value of the contribution to scholarship programs or educational improvement organizations, limited to $750,000 per taxable year.  For contributions to pre-kindergarten scholarship organizations, the EITC program offers a tax credit of 100% of the first $10,000 and 90% of any additional amount up to maximum of $200,000 per taxable year.

Similarly, the OSTC program offers a tax credit of between 75% and 90% of the value of the contribution to opportunity scholarship programs, limited to $750,000 per taxable year.

Businesses interested in obtaining the EITC or OSTC tax credits must apply with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development beginning July 3, 2017.

Rebecca O’Neill is the newest member of the Business, Commercial and Taxation practice group at Grim, Biehn & Thatcher.  Contact Attorney O’Neill today to learn more about tax credits for your business.

Community Event: Bowl for Kids’ Sake

Logo - Bowl for Kids Sake (Big Brothers Big Sisters)On March 19, 2017, Dianne C. Magee volunteered her time in Bowl for Kids’ Sake with a group of bowlers, the Grim Reapers, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County for which Attorney Magee serves on the Board of Directors.  The event was held at Thunderbird Lanes in Warminster and featured a St. Patrick’s Day theme.

If you can spare an hour, grab your friends, family, and coworkers, and join us for a fun-filled morning or afternoon of bowling in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County! Participants who raise a minimum of $50.00 per person will receive a t-shirt, complimentary food & drinks.

WHEN: April 2, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Earl Bowl Lanes, Quakertown & Brunswick Zone, Feasterville

 

Sponsor Thank You - Bowl for Kids Sake (Big Brothers Big Sisters)Attorney Magee and the Grim Reapers hope you will join us for an unbowleavable time at Earl Bowl Lanes in Quakertown on Sunday, April 2, 2017!

To learn more about Bowl for Kids’ Sake, donate, and register for the event, please click here.