- DivorceIf you have considered filing for divorce or are currently a party to divorce proceedings, it is vitally important that you engage experienced counsel to represent and protect your interests as soon as possible. At Appel, Yost & Zee LLP our experienced divorce attorneys take a holistic approach to providing clients with counsel and guidance during the emotionally and financially trying process of separation and divorce. In both contested divorces and uncontested divorces, knowing the skilled divorce attorneys at AYZ will be there for you from the initial consultation forward may provide invaluable peace of mind during these challenging life events.
- Child SupportHiring counsel becomes particularly important where there are children of the marriage. The heightened emotions typically associated with disputes over the child’s well-being often make resolution between the parties difficult or impossible. At AYZ, our experienced child support attorneys provide clients with the information and guidance they need to make well-informed decisions and to protect their assets as well as the interests of their children. The skilled attorneys at AYZ will draw upon their extensive experience and practice before support conference officers and judges to vigorously advocate for the interests of their clients and their clients' children.
- Child Custody and VisitationChild custody disputes are among the most intensely emotional aspects of divorce. Pennsylvania law requires the courts resolve child custody disputes in accordance with the best interests of the children involved. The parties to a divorce action and judges themselves often hold very different views with regard to what is in fact in a child's best interest, which makes it especially important that the parties to a child custody dispute engage knowledgeable counsel with experience evaluating and applying this “best interests” legal standard. Appel, Yost & Zee LLP recognizes that every client's situation is unique, and our family law attorneys work closely with their clients to acquire a thorough understanding of the facts and circumstances of each case. Our attorneys' commitment to personalized service and extensive experience representing parties to child custody disputes enable us to tailor our legal strategy to the specific goals of our clients in resolving child custody disputes.
- AdoptionAt Appel, Yost & Zee LLP, our experienced team of domestic relations attorneys is dedicated to providing quality and cost-efficient assistance to clients in need of guidance and support in connection with divorce proceedings, spousal support, alimony, equitable distribution, child support, child custody, premarital agreements, marital and separation agreements, adoption law, grandparents' rights, name changes, and the tax consequences of divorce.
- Premarital AgreementAt Appel, Yost & Zee LLP, our experienced team of domestic relations attorneys is dedicated to providing quality and cost-efficient assistance to clients in need of guidance and support in connection with all matters ranging from divorce proceedings, spousal support, alimony, equitable distribution, child support, child custody, premarital agreements, and more.
- GuardianshipWhile many people believe that wills are only for the elderly or terminally ill, the truth is that it can never be too early to ensure that your family and assets are protected after you are gone. The experienced estate planning attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP can help you plan for your passing in a way that takes your unique circumstances and goals into account. With the help our experienced estate planning attorneys, you can determine how you want your assets distributed to your family and friends, make charitable bequests, provide for guardianship of your children, and much more. Regardless of the size of your family or your bank account, the estate planning attorneys of Appel, Yost & Zee LLP can help you from start to finish in drafting and amending your will to ensure your wishes are known even after you are gone.
- Spousal SupportSeparation and divorce may place great financial strain on one or both parties, and the need for one spouse to pay alimony or support to the other spouse often arises. The family law attorneys at AYZ have extensive experience advocating on behalf of clients seeking or contesting spousal support and alimony. Spousal support and alimony cases are often quite complex, as judges are asked to balance seventeen specific factors in determining whether alimony should be awarded. Hiring counsel with a thorough understanding of the factors judges consider in making decisions with regard to alimony and spousal support is not only important but also has the potential to pay for itself several times over.
- Wrongful DeathThe elder law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP can assist in a variety of other elder law matters, such as establishing guardianships for loved ones who have become incapacitated. Our attorneys also assist in facilitating sudden changes in living arrangements, disability planning, terminal illness planning, and investigation of possible wrongful death claims when you believe your loved one should not have died while under the care of a medical professional or aide. Regardless of the type of elder law service you need, the experienced attorneys at AYZ are here to answer any questions you may have about elder law and Medicaid planning.
- EmbezzlementWhether your partnership is just starting out or has been in existence for decades, the business law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP have the experience to draft partnership and shareholder agreements to suit your needs and those of the business. A strong partnership or shareholder agreement should provide guidance in anticipation of future issues that might arise. When a governing agreement falls short in this regard, the business and corporate law attorneys of AYZ can represent you or your business in resolving any disputes that may arise during the course of your operations. Such disputes may arise over a number of factors, such as violation of the agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, embezzlement or misappropriation of business funds, fraud or misrepresentation, and more. Our experienced attorneys will work hard to resolve your dispute and to protect your rights. Should it become necessary to dissolve the business entity, our attorneys are available to assist in the dissolution and winding up of the business in accordance with the law and relevant agreement.
- Corporate LawThe experienced business and commercial law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee can assist clients in selecting the proper legal entity in which to conduct their business. No matter what the size or industry of your business, we can advise you in determining whether your business would be best structured as a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or sole proprietorship. Each of these entities has its benefits and detriments, and you can trust our experienced attorneys to carefully analyze your business plan to determine the best entity choice for you. We assist clients in filing the proper formation documents with the government; creating the applicable operating, partnership, or shareholder agreements; drafting bylaws, etc. Our representation does not end when your business is formed. We assist our clients in understanding and complying with federal, state and local regulations so that their business can continue to run smoothly.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsIf you are considering purchasing, selling, or merging an interest in a business or its assets, the experienced mergers and acquisitions attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP can help guide you through the process step by step. Our attorneys understand that these business transactions have the potential to bring great reward but can also present substantial risk. Our experienced attorneys will work to minimize these risks by assisting in deal structuring, drafting financing agreements, ensuring compliance with government regulations, employment and staffing issues, preparing the operative agreement, tax planning, and more. AYZ attorneys are here to help, whether you are interested in a sale, purchase or merger of equity or assets. If you have any questions about a potential acquisition or disposition of a business interest and want to protect your interests, you can trust the mergers and acquisitions attorneys of Appel, Yost & Zee LLP to offer reliable representation specifically tailored to you and your business.
- Business Disputes
- Business TransactionsThe business and commercial law attorneys of Appel, Yost & Zee LLP understand the nature and importance of contracts for sale, manufacture, procurement, and distribution of goods and services. We represent clients at all stages of the distribution chain, from manufacturer to supplier and distributer to user. We have the experience to help you negotiate, draft and interpret commercial contracts in order to ensure your rights are protected. The experienced attorneys of AYZ can assist with all kinds of business transactions, such as sale and distribution agreements, licensing agreements for intellectual property, leasing of real and personal property, loan workouts and refinancing agreements, purchase and sale of business assets, promissory notes, commercial financing, contracts for professional services, and much more. No matter what type of commercial contract or transaction you wish to enter into, contact the experienced contract attorneys of AYZ to provide personalized assistance in achieving your specific objectives.
- Intellectual Property
- Wrongful TerminationOur attorneys also assist employers in resolving employment disputes through negotiation and litigation. The litigators at AYZ are available to protect employers' interests by providing vigorous and dynamic representation in response to claims involving, among other things, employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, wage and overtime disputes, and workplace harassment. Our litigators are also dedicated to seeing our clients receive the benefit of their bargain by seeking judicial enforcement of their contracts and the promises contained therein.
- Employment Discrimination
- Employment ContractThe employment law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP provide counsel to businesses of all sizes. Our attorneys assist employers in navigating the highly regulated and increasingly complex modern workplace. By working to prevent workplace conflicts and ensure compliance with applicable law, our attorneys pride themselves on being able to identify and address legal issues before they mature into legal disputes. The labor law attorneys at AYZ skillfully negotiate, review, and draft employment contracts, covenants not to compete, non-solicitation agreements, severance agreements, employee handbooks, and many other legal documents.
- Employment LitigationOur attorneys counsel school boards and administrators in diverse matters encompassing an array of issues, including general school law matters, labor relations and employment issues, special education, public finance, construction, tax assessment and collection issues, employee benefits and school-related litigation of all kinds. Our attorneys are routinely called upon to help craft, update and interpret board policies and administrative regulations addressing the full range of issues impacting educational institutions. We represent the interests of our clients before arbitrators, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Office for Dispute Resolution, and state and federal courts. While our team has litigated numerous precedent-setting cases on behalf of school districts and intermediate units, we strive to identify problems at their earliest stage and offer effective solutions that will resolve legal problems before they intensify.
- Severance Agreement
- Sexual HarassmentTitle IX was enacted to promote equity in educational settings. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination, including sexual violence, sexual harassment, and hostile environment based on sex. All schools receiving federal funds are required to comply with Title IX’s mandates. We assist school entities in responding to Title IX complaints by offering a thorough, objective, and timely investigations into allegations of Title IX violations; training for administrators, educators, and students; review of policies and procedures; and ensuring all state and federal laws are complied with.
- Medicaid PlanningA variety of issues can arise in our golden years, and it is often better to prepare for all possible contingencies sooner rather than later. It is important to ensure that you will have enough money to provide for yourself and any loved ones for whom you are responsible over the course of your life. The elder law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP are dedicated to working with clients to prepare for all these contingencies. Because your resources can be exhausted quickly, especially when you have a home healthcare aid or are living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, it is absolutely imperative that you plan ahead of time to ensure your financial security for the remainder of your life. Our attorneys will review your long term care options and create a plan that will allow you to continue to live independently and with dignity. If you or someone you care for has special needs, we will evaluate your specific situation and tailor a plan accordingly. The experienced attorneys at Appel & Yost LLP will evaluate your financial situation and find the way that you can best utilize Medicaid planning to protect your assets for future generations.
- Estate PlanningThe experienced estates, trusts and elder law attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP assist clients with sophisticated and complex estate planning matters from the simplest of wills to the most complex federally taxable estate plans. We recognize that every individual has a unique set of needs, and we work closely with our clients to tailor our representation to our client's goals. Our attorneys will advise you every step of the way, determine what documents and plans are needed to best accommodate your goals, and help prepare any necessary legal documents. As your life changes, we can help add to and amend your estate plan to ensure it continues to reflect your wishes. We also work with families who have recently lost their loved ones, helping to make the estate administration process as easy as possible. The estates, trusts, and elder law attorneys at AYZ can assist you in a variety of matters, including those outlined below.
- WillsThe attorneys of Appel, Yost & Zee LLP have a great deal of experience preparing Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and Living Wills. While most people avoid thinking about these issues, the reality is that nobody knows how, when, or if they will become incapacitated. It is therefore critical that each individual has these important documents prepared as soon as possible.
- TrustsThe attorneys of Appel, Yost & Zee LLP are also experienced in establishing trusts in cases where a trust is the best way to effectuate your wishes in providing for your loved ones after you are gone. There are a wide variety of trusts, both revocable and irrevocable, that accomplish a number of goals. Our estate planning attorneys will attentively listen to your goals and work with you to create a trust that distributes your wealth at the time and in the manner you wish. Our experienced attorneys can also help you create Special Needs Trust, which ensure that disabled children, elderly parents, chronically ill loved ones, and others are able to receive all the medical care and attention they need. Regardless of the type of trust employed, the estate planning attorneys of Appel, Yost & Zee LLP provide effective, cost efficient service to meet your needs.
- Power of AttorneyA Power of Attorney is a document which authorizes another to make legal, financial, and/or business decisions on another's behalf. Powers of attorney can be broad, allowing the agent to make almost any decision on the principal's behalf, or limited to only one or two specific functions or matters. We typically recommend a durable power of attorney, which allows the agent to make decisions on behalf of the principal until the principal's death, regardless of whether the principal is incapacitated. Of course, the principal may revoke the power of attorney at any time, assuming the individual is not incapacitated.
- Tax LawEstates valued in excess of $5 million are subject to federal estate tax at a rate of 35%. Pennsylvania inheritance tax applies to estates of all sizes, but the amount varies based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the decedent. The experienced estate tax planning attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP can help you skillfully craft a plan aimed a minimizing taxes and maximizing the benefits to heirs and beneficiaries. After a careful and thorough analysis of our clients' goals and the composition of their estates, the experienced attorneys at Appel, Yost & Zee LLP present clients with a variety of simple and sophisticated estate tax planning techniques, together with the advantages and disadvantages associated with each option. Our attorneys also assist in effectuating tax-free lifetime gifts to loved ones as a means of reducing clients' taxable estates. The tax attorneys at AYZ possess the requisite knowledge and experience to effectuate these plans, hold advanced tax degrees, and bring to bear years of experience in these areas. Our attorneys regularly provide advice to closely-held businesses, entrepreneurs, large corporations and their shareholders, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships, and multi-generational families.