ABOUT JIM EGBERT
AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
I have extensive experience working with individuals, businesses, and families. The most important aspect of being an attorney is to carefully listen to the client and determine their needs and tailor your representation to meet those needs. I have been in practice since 1986. I started my own law firm in 2006 and Tom Barnes joined me shortly thereafter. I have an extensive practice in the areas of estate and disability planning, elder law, estate administration, and estate administration, guardianships, business succession planning, corporate matters.
Wills and Trusts
Wills and Trusts are the beginning foundation to a proper estate plan. Jim takes the time to listen to the client, find out their needs, and prepare the correct documents to meet those needs. Those documents include Wills, Letters of Instructions, General Powers of Attorney, and Medical Power of Attorney. In addition, Jim helps client with more complex estate planning needs that can include preparation and implementation of Living Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT), and where necessary consultation with clients on Federal Estate and Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax planning options;
Elder Law
As an adjunct to estate and disability planning, in appropriate circumstances, I provide elder law planning advice, including nursing home options and Medicaid planning to minimize spend-down effect and husband and wife retention of assets associated with Medicaid planning; preparation of Medicaid Application and consults with the Department of Public Welfare with respect to Medicaid Application and implementation.
Estate Administration
My responsibilities include representation of estates from probate process through audit and decree of distribution. Estate administration matters include preparation of inventory, preparation of Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return, preparation of Federal Estate Tax Return, State and Federal Fiduciary Income Tax Returns, real estate sales, including preparation of Agreement of Sale and Fiduciary Deed and attendance at Closing, individual income tax preparation for Decedent’s estate for Final Income Tax Returns, and representation of Executor/Administrator through entire probate process and arrangement for Appraisals such as personal property appraisals, business appraisals and real estate appraisals.
Guardianship
Guardianship proceedings occur when one can no longer handle their own needs for any number of reasons. I often meet with families of loved ones who are in that position and assist on filing the necessary documents to have a guardian appointed by the courts. Occasionally guardianships is contested or there is a disagreement on who is in the best position to be appointed as a guardian. In those cases, I will represent one of the parties to advocate for their right to serve as guardian.
Business Succession Planning
Every business needs a succession plan. When there is more than one owner or the business is to be transferred to a relative, a well thought out business succession plan is vital to the continuing success of the business. As part of my responsibilities, I meet with the owners, listen to their objective and plan to meet their needs. This could include the preparation of corporate buy-out or cross purchase agreements, stock sale agreements, business trusts, and filing of related documents.
Corporate Matters
Many of my clients, as part of their succession plan, have asked that I provide counsel into other business matters including restructuring and the purchase of assets that best suits the owner’s needs and stated goals. As part of my practice I provide consultation to a limited number of corporations, limited liability companies, and family partnerships in a number of related business matters. This could include, purchase of assets, employment, consultant, and subcontractor agreements, formation and other related matters.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Adjunct Chaplain, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Ordained Minister, Christian Universalist Association
ASSOCIATION AND SECTION MEMBERSHIPS/ADMISSIONS
MEMBER: National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Pennsylvania and Montgomery County Bar Association.
ADMITTED: U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, US District Court for the Southern District of New York, US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, New Jersey Supreme Court, New York Court, and Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
EDUCATION
The University of the South, School of Theology, EFM 2006
St. John’s School of Law, Juris Doctor: 1986
Hofstra University, BBA Finance: 6 Degree: Political Science, 1971
MILITARY SERVICE
1975 -1978 US Army Flight engineer, door gunner UH-1H helicopters