Business Details
31 Years
experience
Your Trusted Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys
Zacharia Brown is a boutique law firm with over 30 years of combined experience in estate planning, elder law, and long-term care advocacy. Our team of attorneys, social workers, and staff collaborate to create tailored legal strategies that protect clients' assets, ensure healthcare directives, and navigate Medicaid/Veterans benefits. We prioritize compassionate guidance, emphasizing transparency in complex legal processes and reducing family stress during probate and estate administration. Our practice spans Pennsylvania and Florida, addressing state-specific nuances in elder law while maintaining a client-centric approach through educational resources and personalized consultations. 
Services
Estate Planning
Elder Law
Medicaid Planning
Veterans Benefits
Probate Services
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of combined experience in estate and elder law
- Personalized Medicaid application approval process (MAAP)
- Specialized knowledge of PA and FL state-specific legal nuances
- Compassionate advocacy with social workers and legal experts
- Proven success in complex probate and asset protection cases
Associations and certifications
- Super Lawyers
What people say
Knowledgeable, experienced, responsible
Care, competence and comfort
Guided through difficult paperwork
Professional and easy to talk to
Lowered our stress level
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, and healthcare directives to protect assets and ensure client wishes. Our attorneys address tax implications, guardianship for minors, and special needs planning while maintaining compliance with evolving state and federal regulations. Clients receive ongoing support to update plans as life circumstances change.
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid Application Approval Plan (MAAP) navigates complex eligibility requirements for nursing home care and home-based services. We implement asset protection strategies while ensuring compliance with 5-year look-back rules. The process includes documentation preparation, appeals assistance, and coordination with healthcare providers across Pennsylvania and Florida.
Probate Services
We guide executors through probate processes including asset inventory, debt settlement, and tax compliance. Our services cover both contested and uncontested probate matters, with expertise in resolving creditor claims and distributing inheritances according to wills or intestacy laws in multiple states.
Veterans Benefits
Our team secures VA pensions, aid and attendance benefits, and burial allowances for eligible veterans. We specialize in navigating application processes for long-term care funding while addressing concurrent Medicaid eligibility requirements for dual-qualified clients.
Elder Law
We address age-related legal needs including guardianship, nursing home advocacy, and Social Security planning. Our services cover dementia care planning, elder abuse prevention, and legal strategies to protect clients' independence while maintaining regulatory compliance with federal elder care laws.
People
Carl B. Zacharia
Founder
Licensed in PA and FL, Carl has 30+ years of experience in estate planning and elder law. He specializes in complex Medicaid planning, nursing home advocacy, and cross-state legal strategies. Recognized by Super Lawyers, he focuses on protecting seniors' assets while maintaining family peace.
Christine Brown Murphy
Attorney
Specializes in Medicaid planning and trust administration with 20+ years of experience. Recognized for compassionate client support during dementia care planning and probate processes. Regularly conducts educational workshops on elder law topics.
Colleen D. Bratkovich
Attorney
Focuses on veterans benefits and estate administration. With 15+ years of experience, she helps families obtain VA pensions while coordinating with Medicaid planning. Known for clear communication during complex probate cases.
Justin Ellis
Attorney
Specializes in wills, trusts, and business succession planning. Provides elder law guidance for business owners transitioning care responsibilities. Regular contributor to estate planning webinars and publications.
Carrie Conboy
Elder Care Coordinator
Social worker with 10+ years in long-term care advocacy. Coordinates family caregiver support programs and community-based care planning. Facilitates educational webinars on dementia care and Medicaid compliance.
Questions
What documents are essential for estate planning?
We recommend wills, durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and trusts tailored to your asset portfolio and family needs.
How can Medicaid planning protect assets?
Our MAAP process uses legal strategies like irrevocable trusts and annuities to preserve assets while meeting Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Do I need probate if there's a will?
Yes, wills must go through probate to validate authenticity and ensure proper asset distribution according to the testator's wishes.
Can veterans receive long-term care benefits?
Yes, qualified veterans may receive Aid and Attendance pensions covering nursing home or home healthcare costs through the VA.
How do you handle cross-state elder law cases?
Our licensed attorneys in PA and FL provide coordinated services addressing both states' legal requirements for residency and asset protection.
What's the difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts?
Revocable trusts allow asset control during life but don't protect from Medicaid claims; irrevocable trusts offer asset protection while requiring relinquished ownership.
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