Death and Dirt

Land use and zoning issues touch far more than developers and municipal officials. They affect real estate transactions, business expansion plans, estate and succession planning, investment decisions, and property rights throughout every community. In this episode, we are joined by Slade Miller, partner at Abernethy, Hagerman & Miller, for a discussion on the fundamentals of land use and zonin...

In a special live episode of Death and Dirt recorded at the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in Pittsburgh, the hosts sit down with the Executive Director of the PBA, Matthew M. Holliday, to discuss the role of the PBA in shaping the legal profession across Pennsylvania. The conversation explores how attorneys can become involved in meaningful statewide change through the support...

What does a real estate lawyer actually do? In this episode of Death and Dirt , attorney Glenn Smith joins us for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a dirt lawyer. We discuss seller disclosure claims, contractor disputes, partition actions, neighbor conflicts, fraudulent deed transfers, and the many ways property problems become legal problems. Part substantive knowledge, part storie...

In this episode of  Death and Dirt , we sit down with Marshal Granor, a leading voice in community association law and one of the principal drafters of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Planned Community Act. Marshal brings a rare combination of legal, development, brokerage, and management experience, offering a comprehensive perspective on how private communities are structured and governed. We explore the...

Pennsylvania probate law changed in a big way with Act 50 of 2025, and in this episode of Death and Dirt , the hosts talk with Bryan Tate, York County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court, about what the new law means. Bryan explains the practical impact of Act 50, including raising the limit that allows banks to release certain funds to family members without opening a probate estate. Th...

This episode of Death and Dirt is essential listening not only for law firm owners, but also for attorneys and professionals who are thinking about buying into a firm or acquiring an ownership interest. We sit down with Owen T. Carhart, Managing Partner of Business Optimization Group, LLC, to break down what business valuation actually means in the context of a law practice and why it matters long...

Season Two of  Death and Dirt  opens with a conversation between the co-hosts reflecting on Season One and setting the stage for what’s ahead. We revisit some of our past guests and the insights they shared, talk through themes that kept resurfacing, and preview topics we’re excited to explore in the coming season. We also spend time discussing the value of professional engagement—particularly the...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , Philadelphia trusts and estates attorney Charles Bender joins the show to break down one of Pennsylvania’s most misunderstood inheritance tax provisions: the Qualified Family-Owned Business Interest (QFOBI) exemption. We cover who qualifies, how investment real estate fits in, why the seven-year rule matters, and what families can do to avoid costly mistakes. A...

In this episode, we sit down with Vicky Ann Trimmer—attorney, CPA, and Partner at Daley Zucker, LLC—to talk about how Pennsylvania tax rules affect the transfer of family farms, during life and at death. Vicky shares her path from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to agricultural law, a transition that brought together her legal training, tax background, and upbringing on a family farm. Her e...

What happens after you buy a house and the deed gets “recorded”? For most of us, the Recorder of Deeds Office feels like a mysterious backroom of government paperwork — but behind those records lies the backbone of property ownership, public history, and fraud prevention. In this episode of Death and Dirt , Fred, Jay, and Jenn sit down with Jeanne Sorg, Montgomery County’s Recorder of Deeds and Ma...

In this episode, we’re joined by Anna Marie Sossong, Esq., Underwriting Counsel at Conestoga Title Insurance Company, who brings decades of experience in real estate law, commercial transactions, and title work. Together, we unpack a major regulatory change on the horizon: FinCEN’s new rule taking effect in December 2025. This rule will require title agents to report additional information on cert...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we sit down with Dean Jerry Dickinson, the youngest active dean of any U.S. law school, to trace his remarkable journey—from Pittsburgh native to constitutional law scholar, civil rights lawyer, and, as of January 15, 2025, Dean of Pitt Law School at age 38. Dean Dickinson discusses his early years in private practice at Reed Smith LLP, his deep roots in constit...

In this Special Bonus Episode of  Death and Dirt , we sit down with Christine M. (“Chrissy”) Green, a seasoned tax attorney and Member at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, to break down the sweeping changes introduced by the  One Big Beautiful Bill Act  (OBBBA or OB3). Chrissy provides clear insights into how these new provisions impact estate planning and real estate professionals, from the historic in...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we’re joined by Anne N. John, Esq., to discuss her work with the Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts and Pennsylvania’s broader efforts to strengthen protections for older adults. Anne, a long-serving member of the Council, shares insight into its mission, structure, and accomplishments—including the implementation of the Guardianship Tracking System...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we’re joined by Alison T. Smith, a leading trusts and estates attorney and past Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section. Alison shares practical insights from her work advising fiduciaries on their roles, responsibilities, and how to set expectations with beneficiaries to reduce the risk of conflict and litigatio...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we take a deep dive into the increasingly complex world of real estate ownership and insurance, particularly in the context of trusts and estates. Our guest, Kevin Thomas—Partner and Personal Risk Practice Leader at USI Insurance Services—brings over 20 years of experience advising high-net-worth individuals on property risk, with a focus on flood and fire cover...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we sit down with Justin Brown, current Chair of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association—and one of the driving forces behind this podcast. Justin shares how Death and Dirt came to life, reflecting on his podcasting journey and what inspired him to help create a new platform for meaningful conversation in our practice...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we are joined by Jean Marfizo King, the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court for Dauphin County, who has been serving the county since 2011. Jean shares insights into the vital role these offices play in estate administration, guardianship proceedings, adoptions, and the issuance of marriage licenses, and how her leadership has modernized the way th...

In this episode, we’re joined by tax attorney Christopher A. Jones to break down the Pennsylvania Realty Transfer Tax. Chris covers the fundamentals before diving into the nuanced areas that often trip up real estate professionals, attorneys, and investors. Whether you’re structuring transactions, navigating exemptions, or simply looking to expand your tax knowledge, this episode is a must-listen...

In this episode of Death & Dirt, we sit down with elder law attorney Samantha K. Wolfe to discuss Medicaid planning—often thought of as planning for long-term care or nursing home costs. We dive into the benefits of Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs) (also known as income-only trusts or asset protection trusts) and how they can help safeguard assets while ensuring Medicaid eligibility in...

Our very special guest is none other than Jay Hagerman. Listeners will recognize Jay as one of our esteemed co-hosts on the  Death and Dirt Podcast . This episode was recorded  LIVE  at the Estate Law Institute, held at the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia on December 4 and 5, 2024. Jay, one of the course presenters, generously took time out of his lunch hour (immediately before presenting) to s...

Join us for a special episode where we dive into the highlights of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s upcoming Estate Law Institute (December 4-5) and Real Estate Institute (December 6). Our guests, Patti Spencer and Erik Hume, are key organizers for these events and bring insider insights on this year’s must-attend courses for legal practitioners of all levels. Patti Spencer, who helped plan the...

In this episode, we sit down with the Honorable Michael A. Burns, a practicing real estate attorney and Magisterial District Judge. Judge Burns offers insights into the day-to-day life of a real estate attorney in Pennsylvania, sharing the diverse aspects of his practice. He also delves into how the constantly evolving real estate market demands that practitioners stay ahead of the curve. Join us...

In this episode, we’re joined by Elaine Yandrisevits, a Trusts and Estates attorney based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Elaine shares her journey into the world of estate planning and provides a behind-the-scenes look at her daily practice. She also discusses how she has navigated the challenges of growing in her field and how her active involvement in continuing legal education has helped deepen h...

In the debut episode of the Death and Dirt Podcast, we dive into the heart of what this journey is all about. Join us as we introduce the core concepts driving this podcast, setting the stage for the discussions to come. You'll meet your co-hosts, learn about our backgrounds, and hear our goals and aspirations as we begin this adventure together. About the hosts: Jennifer Galloway - Jenn attended...