Michael Cherewka

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.

Dickinson School of Law

J.D.

1978 - 1981

Honors: cum laude Woolsack Society

Bucknell University

B.S. | Accounting

1973 - 1978

Honors: cum laude Delta Mu Delta Omicron Delta Kappa College Register

Owner

Law Office of Michael Cherewka

1989 - Current

Owner of law firm dedicated to Estate Planning, Trusts and Estates Administration, Business Planning for small to mid-tier businesses including choice of entity, acquisitions and sales, business exit strategies and succession planning

Strictly Business

Quantum Press

2002

How To Close An Estate, Mechanicsburg , Pennsylvania

August 12, 2016

Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Handling Real Estate Transactions From Start to Finish, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania

April 18, 2017

National Business Institute

Pennsylvania Real Estate Broker License

Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional & Occupational Affairs

2022

Distinguished Service Award

American Heart Association

1997

Pennsylvania State Bar

Member

Current

Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors

Member

2015 - Current

Elder Care Matters Alliance

Member

2014 - Current

Wealth Counsel

Member

1997 - Current

Pennsylvania

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 1985

• Free Consultation

Q. My father passed without making a will. How do we figure out who gets what. He has a retirement and stock and property

November 25, 2024

A: THe situation you are describing, dying without a Will, is known as Intestacy in Pennsylvania. Since your father did not have a Will, the surviving spouse is generally not entitled to all of the Estate assets. However, the three assets which you described, retirement accounts, stock accounts and property, can all either have beneficiary designations or be held in joint name with the surviving spouse, in which case those designations control the transfer of the assets and they are not included in the Estate. If you believe you and your siblings might be entitled to receive some of the assets you should consult with an experienced estate attorney to look into the matter for you.

Q. Hello, my husband has a will with me asbeneficiary of tangible assets and our minor child as one on who gets his inherit

September 9, 2024

A: Your description does not include enough details to give you clear answers, but you do refer to your "husband", so if there is not a divorce at issue, as the surviving spouse and since this child is from your marriage, you have the right to elect against a will as you describe in your question so that you get a certain minimum amount of the estate and then a percentage of the estate in excess of that minimum goes to you and the balance goes to your child.

Unless there are other issues with child custody not included in your summary your husband's will cannot create a guardian for your child while you are surviving.

You will want to meet with an experience estate attorney as soon as possible since there are time limits on electing against the Will. ... Read More

Q. My name is on my mothers account, with hers. She has passed. How should I handle the account till dispersed

September 9, 2024

A: although you state that your name is on the account, you can be on account as Power of Attorney or authorized signer (Which both expired when your mother passed away), in which case you may have to open an Estate administration to get control of the funds and open an Estate account (depends on how much money is in the account);

or you can be on account as a Joint Owner (which means the account is now your account by operations of law);

or you can be on account as a beneficiary or Transfer on Death designee. As beneficiary or TOD designee the account will pass to you, but banks may have different requirements to pay out these types of accounts which may include a Death Certificate and proof that your mother's funeral has been paid. ... Read More