Practice Areas

We need to listen to the hopes and the concerns and, when we do our job, achieve the first and alleviate the last. 

Whether it is planning for distribution of assets through a Will, a Trust, a gift or a contract, at PBSC we approach the matter with an open mind and an understanding of the benefits and costs associated with each option which understanding is borne of experience, education and reasoning.

Little-known areas of law, planning for qualification for Medicaid, compensation or pension, is planning-intensive. With the right amount of planning, we can help clients maintain their financial dignity while obtaining the rights of their service to our Country has earned them.

Portia Scott has been a mediator since 2003 with decades of experience in mediating civil, family and small claims cases. Not acting as an advocate for either party, a mediator is a neutral third party without judicial authority to make decisions but, instead, is trained to help the parties reach their own solutions. Mediation, as opposed to Litigation, opens doors to win-win results.

We will work with your individual desires to ensure that your plans for yourself, your family, friends or favorite charity are the results you want. Whether we use a Trust, Will, Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, Living Will or Pre-Need Guardianship Declaration, each will be tailored to your exact goals.

Sometimes, plans go awry. A person can be incapacitated in mind or in body. This can come about due to an unexpected illness, a sudden stroke or, in some cases, merely being too young to handle your own money. 

There are times when the only remaining solution is a Guardianship. A Guardian is appointed to make the decisions the Person Under the Guardianship (the “PUG”) cannot, subject to judicial oversight. The goal is always rehabilitation of the PUG but, during the pendency of the Guardship, reports must be made and strict protocols observed.

Practicing in the area of Guardianship for decades, we at PBSC know the best interests of the PUG must be forefront in the minds of the Guardian, the Court and, of course, the attorney handling the formalities.

We know how to keep the Guardian compliant with the law and the spirit of the law.

For everything in law, there is a cost and a benefit. Probate is no different.

The cost of probate include time and money. The attorney’s fees and Personal Representative (“executor”) fees will account for 6% of the value of the estate (3% each) just for a standard probate procedure. Additionally, there will be a filing fee paid to the Court, perhaps a fee for the Legal Notice in the paper, certified mail expenses, appraisals, the list goes on. Then, there is the time: a probate proceeding usually runs at least 4 months and could last years if litigation is involved.

However, the benefit is certainty. The Court will empower your chosen person to gather your assets, pay your legally enforceable debts, and make distribution according to your wishes. There is a date certain after which no one can come looking for payment on a debt (usually, about 3 months). Without a probate proceeding, those possible debts can be collected for much longer, sometimes years after death.

We, at PBSC, have been handling probate proceedings, both with and without a Will, since 1994. We can help the nominated Personal Representative with a roadmap to complete the task and advice on how best to achieve the wishes of the departed.

One of the most exciting times in life is the purchase of your own real estate. Another is the sale of it. The circumstances and challenges vary from closing to closing. We have been handling real estate transactions since 1994 and can help you with your sale or purchase.  Learn more about our Title Insurance services HERE.

One of our favorite areas of practice, the specific legal steps are taken to ensure the legality of the adoption cannot later be questioned.  Making the bonds of love which already exist between a parent and child into a legally binding relationship requires experience and compassion.  We can help.