Somerset County Estate Planning Lawyers

"Hope for the best, but plan for the worst." Every day brings us something: challenges, hopes, the mundane, things to celebrate and sometimes disaster and despair. While we cannot predict the future, we can help you prepare and thrive through all of it's surprises.

From Centre Hall, PA. Attended Penns Valley Area High School, the Pennsylvania State University and Ohio Northern University. Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar on October 24, 1979.
I have been Chair of the Domestic Relations Section, Secretary and President of the Centre County Bar Association.
I have been practicing law in Central Pennsylvania for 41 years.
My practice is concentrated on family law, wills, and estates.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

Patrick J. Cooper, Esquire is the Founder of the Cooper Family Law, LLC. Formerly known as a partner at Sadek & Cooper, Patrick started his own practice in 2023 specializing in family law and estate planning. Through his hard work and dedication, the firm’s practice has flourished with hundreds of satisfied clients. Patrick specializes in Divorce, Mediation, Custody and Child Support among other Family Law and Estate Planning legal services. Patrick is a Graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and The University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Patrick is active within the family law community and currently sits on the executive...

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...

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...

Linda Anderson is the founder and principal of Anderson Elder Law, a firm in Media, PA serving clients of all ages in the Delaware Valley. The firm is dedicated to aiding individuals and families to navigate the legal, financial, and medical issues related to elder law, estate planning, and long term care and special needs planning. Ms. Anderson has over 25 years experience in the elder law field, and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney, as conferred by the National Elder Law Foundation and authorized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Ms. Anderson is an active and distinguished member of her...

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...

Lori A. Frio-Walker, Esquire, devotes her practice primarily to all aspects of family and matrimonial law matters. Lori gained family law litigation experience in divorce, custody and support matters at Petrelli Law, P.C. Prior to working at Petrelli Law, P.C., Lori worked in the area of collaborative and amicable divorce. Lori received her J.D. degree from Villanova University School of Law and was the Editor-in-Chief of its Women’s Law Forum and Associate Editor of its Journal of Catholic Social Thought. Lori began her professional career as an associate attorney at a large regional firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....

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...

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.

Jason Costanzo has represented individuals for estate planning and estate administration across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He believes that building personal relationships with each client is the key to rendering legal services successfully. Carefully listening to each client about their particular financial or estate planning goals is critical and has earned Jason recognition as a “Top 40 Under 40” distinction by The National Trial Lawyers and as a “10 Best Attorney for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service” by the American Institute of Legal Counsel. Jason was also peer nominated as a "Rising Star" by Pennsylvania Superlawyers magazine in 2020, 2021,...

Henry J. Donner concentrates his practice in construction law. He has decades of experience counseling and representing those in the construction industry: real estate developers, condominium associations, contractors, subcontractors, architects/engineers, and construction contractor associations. Henry also applies extensive industry knowledge to the management and efficient resolution of virtually any problem that might arise in the course of construction from start to finish. He also skillfully negotiates multi-party disputes over cost estimates, design errors, defective installation and contract details. Contractors and their associations rely on Henry to represent their trustees on retirement, health, training and vacation plans. Henry’s professional network puts...

Jay Alberstadt is a senior partner with MacDonald Illig. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, commercial and economic development ,and conventional and tax-exempt financing. He provides legal services to individuals, business entities, lending institutions, municipal authorities and development agencies. Mr. Alberstadt handles matters ranging from residential real estate transactions to detailed title and development issues. He also provides representation in commercial financings and tax-exempt municipal, industrial development and 501(c)(3) bond issues. He is co-chair of the Firm's real estate practice group and chair of the firm's marketing committee.

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...

Tejal Mehta is an accomplished lawyer who is licensed in Pennsylvania and possesses over 20 years of legal experience. Attorney Mehta practices Immigration Law and the inter-related areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Probate. The legal services offered by the Law Office of Tejal Mehta include: Estate Planning (Wills; Trusts; Power of Attorney; Guardianship). Estate Administration (Probate; Deed Transfers; Pennsylvania Inheritance Taxes) Immigration (Citizenship; Marriage and Employment Based Green Cards; H1B, L1, and O Temporary Worker Visas; E1, E2, and EB-5 Investor Visas; EAD; Waivers; DACA; Removal Defense in Immigration Court, including Immigration...

Gilbert P. High, Jr. has devoted his career primarily to the practice of Municipal, Real Estate and Land Use Law and Estates & Trusts. He has extensive experience in legislative drafting, subdivision and land development, zoning litigation, public employment issues, local taxation, public contracting, and the law of easements and rights of way. He regularly speaks on issues pertaining to municipal liability, particularly regarding the maintenance of the Urban Forest, a subject on which he has lectured nationally.

Mr. High also practices in the area of estate planning, particularly in the administration of complex estates, will drafting, the creation and...

Eric grew up in Maryland then attended college at Gettysburg. He went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Stephanie A. Henrick concentrates her practice in Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Tax Law and Social Security Disability.

Stephanie’s customized approach to estate planning provides her clients with personalized attention to address their unique circumstances. Stephanie reviews all elements of her clients’ financial and personal situations with attention to detail, which enables her to plan accordingly so her clients’ wishes are fulfilled.  She works closely with her clients to create a seamless process of passing down their legacies and protecting their heirs.

She earned her Masters of Law (LL.M.) in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning from Villanova University School of Law....

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,...

As the founder of Shaw Law, Cyrus Shaw believes there is only one thing that the firm should be focused on – getting the best possible results for clients. This starts from the initial client interview, where a rapport and trust needs to be established. It is common for new client intake to be limited to one a day, so as much time as needed can be spent with the new client. Each client is a person, not a file. Each client has their own story. A law firm where clients become like family is what he strives for. This...

Attorney Russell J. Manning is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Manning received his Juris Doctorate degree from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2006. Prior to that, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Holy Family University. Attorney Manning works in the area of family law handling custody, divorce and support matters as well as other related family law matters. Previously, Mr. Manning worked as the Assistant District Director to Pennsylvania State Senator Robert M. Tomlinson and clerked for the Honorable James M. McMaster on the Bucks County Court...