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LegalShield Member Hub Our LegalShield Partnership LegalShield is the pioneer in the industry of underwriting and marketing legal expense plans. We are proud to be involved with a program to provide access to the legal system for the working men and women of America. REQUEST A CONSULTATION COMPLETE ESTATE PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE LegalShield Contact Info Tel: (412) 391-7339 Fax: (412) 391-8232 Customer Service: (800) 654-7757 Your LegalShield Membership HOW TO USE YOUR LEGALSHIELD MEMBERSHIP Step One: When you have a legal question or issue, it is important to call your Provider Law Firm as soon as possible. Waiting to seek advice may result in fewer legal options available to you. Call as soon as you realize you have a legal issue. Step Two: When calling your Provider Law Firm, use the toll-free number for fast service. When your Provider Law Firm returns your call, a different number may appear on your Caller ID as it's an outgoing call. Remember, using the toll-free number connects you to special staff who will expedite your call to an attorney. Step Three: The person answering the toll-free number will ask you for your name and membership number (listed on your membership card). If you are calling for assistance with a third party, they will also ask you for that party's name, address, and other pertinent information. Step Four: You will be asked to briefly explain your legal concern. By providing these details, the firm will be able to select an attorney with experience in the area of law pertaining to your legal issue. You will also be asked to provide the best contact number where you can be reached. Please share your cell phone number and home number so an experienced attorney can easily reach you within 8 business hours. Step Five: When you speak to your Provider Attorney, it is important to have your facts and documents with you for reference. If you have documents, they may be requested by the attorney for review. Please do not mail the originals to the Provider Law Firm. Fax or email them when requested. Step Six: Please take time to review your New Member Guide when it arrives. Fill out your Will Questionnaire and mail it to your Provider Law Firm as soon as possible so you can get started protecting your family. LegalShield Membership Services Member Services Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Central), Monday-Friday (except holidays). If you have any questions about your LegalShield membership contract, contact Member Services at memberservices@legalshield.com or (800) 654-7757. Your Member Services Department is located in Ada, Oklahoma, at the LegalShield Home Office. You should call Member Services if you: Have a question about what’s covered under your plan contract. Need to update information—your address, phone number, or email address. Need to make a change in your payment method. Need to add or remove a family member from your coverage. Need a replacement contract or membership card. Need an additional Will Questionnaire. Have had a positive experience with your Provider Law Firm and would like to share your success story. LegalShield + Fiffik Law Group The need for legal services is immense. Americans experience millions of civil legal problems every year. The average is 3 problems every 18 months . It's not a question of “if”, but rather “when” Pennsylvanians will have a legal problem. Common Legal Problems: Money Problems Finances; Government Benefits; Debts; Insurance Disputes Housing Problems Landlord/Tenant Disputes; Mortgage Issues Employment Problems Workplace Discrimination; Payroll Issues; Employee rights Relationship Problems Marriage Transitions; Child Custody and Support Personal Injury Problems Workers Compensation; Auto Accidents Most people don’t recognize these situations as legal issues or that they can be helped by access to legal advice. 80% of people with legal issues never turn to an attorney for help. They handle them on their own, do nothing or turn to family. Without assistance, these situations can escalate with potentially significant negative consequences. Not all legal matters are "problems." Some are GOOD things! ✔ Buying a House or Renting an Apartment ✔ Starting a Business ✔ Taking Care of Your Family with Estate Planning Our mission is nothing short of changing the future. We want fewer people to go at it alone when they have a legal issue. We want more members of our community to be connected and empowered. ✓ Targeted We have attorneys with a wide range of skills and experience. Whatever the situation, we have an attorney here who has the knowledge to help with the issue. ✓ Timely We’re here when members need us. They can initiate a request for service any time or day on the phone, via text, or by filling out a request for consult online. ✓ Trustworthy With LegalShield, money doesn’t get between members and the help they need. It's already taken care of. When they call they’re not asked to pay – they simply start getting help.

Nursing Home Decisions Thanks to medical advances, people are living longer. That’s the good news! But the longer you live, the likelier it is that you’ll require Long-Term Care. In fact: 8.3 million people in the United States received some sort of Long-Term Care in 2016 52 percent of people - 47% of men and 58% of women to be exact - who reach the age of 65 will need Long-Term Care in their lifetime 2 years is the average length of time, over a lifetime, that a person will require LTC As you can see from these numbers, a significant percentage of the population will require long-term care. No one likes to discuss these kinds of issues, but it’s in your best interest to factor extended care into your post-retirement plans. Deciding on Elder Care There are multiple categories of residential care communities and several home-based care services, and each is referred to by many different names. Many factors are taken into account when determining if you're eligible for assisted living, or if it's the right place for you. The types of residential care communities you'll encounter include: Independent Living / Senior Livings are apartment buildings or patio homes within a complex that offers dining, transportation, security, and recreational activities, but no health care services. There is sometimes a minimum age requirement. Assisted Living provides an apartment-like setting that allows individuals to age in place and receive the assistance they need to maintain maximum independence and personal choice. These residences provide assisted living services such as: meals, laundry, housekeeping, transportation services, and basic cognitive support services. Additionally assisted living residences must provide or arrange for other types of health care services such as hospice services, occupational therapy, skilled nursing services, physical therapy, behavioral health services, home health services, escort services, and specialized cognitive support services. Personal Care Homes are residences that provide housing and meals for individuals – typically older people or people with physical, behavioral health, or cognitive disabilities – who are unable to care for themselves but do not need 24/7 nursing home or medical care. Available services are based on the individual needs of the resident but can include assistance with daily living activities including bathing, dressing or going to the bathroom. Skilled Nursing Homes provide 24-hour continuous health care services as well as room and board. The health care services include basic and skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and a full range of other programs, treatments, and therapies such as occupational therapy and physical therapy. Skilled nursing facilities also manage complex medical needs that require equipment, such as ventilators and IV lines. Continuing Care Retirement Communities are residences that provide a continuum of care from independent living to assisted living to memory care to skilled nursing. These communities are designed to enable seniors with progressively declining health to remain in a single residential location or give healthy seniors the peace of mind that all their future needs are covered. Home Care agencies provide non-skilled services to individuals in their homes or other independent living environments. Home care may include assistance with self-administered medications; personal care assistance such as bathing, feeding, and hygiene; assistance with housekeeping, shopping, meal planning and preparation and transportation and respite care including support to the family. Home Health Care agencies provide health care services to ill, disabled, or vulnerable individuals in their homes or places of residence, enabling them to live as independently as possible. Home health care services include nursing care; home health aide care and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services. Hospice is a coordinated program of palliative and supportive care for those with a limited life expectancy. It can be provided in a nursing home, assisted living residence, personal care home, individual’s home, or at a hospice facility.

Standard Client Service Agreement Terms & Conditions Flat Fee Engagements We are pleased that you have engaged our law firm to serve as your legal counsel. For the sake of clarity, we have agreed to represent only those persons whose name(s) appear in the electronic invoice sent to you. We have not agreed to represent any other individual or entity in this matter. Furthermore, there are no intended third-party beneficiaries to the relationship between our law firm and you. Our representation is limited to the matter described in the electronic invoice sent to you. To the extent that you wish to engage our firm to represent you regarding other matters, you will be asked to sign a separate engagement agreement describing the scope of that representation prior to our initiation of services. It is our policy to confirm in writing the nature of the engagement and the terms of our legal representation. If you do not understand all of the terms or language in this engagement agreement, please contact us prior to paying the invoice. The scope of our representation does not include advice or services regarding accounting, tax, personal financial matters or business management, and related non-legal matters and advice. If you wish for us to consult with other professionals retained by you regarding this matter, we will communicate with you in writing to confirm the scope of such consultations prior to initiating same. If applicable, billing statements normally will be rendered monthly for work performed and expenses recorded on our books during the previous month. Payment is due promptly upon receipt of our statement. if any statement remains unpaid for more than 30 days, we may suspend performing services until arrangements satisfactory to us have been made for payment of outstanding statements and the payment of future fees and expenses, and if such arrangements are not made, subject to applicable rules of professional conduct governing attorneys, we may terminate the engagement and withdraw from further representation. All invoices not contested in writing within fifteen (15) business days of receipt are deemed accepted by you as true and accurate and are payable in full. Interest will be charged on all accounts not paid when due at a rate of 1.5% per month. In the event you fail to pay all amounts which become due, and we refer such matter to an attorney or collection agency, you agree to pay, in addition to the amounts due, any and all costs we incur as a result of such action, including reasonable attorneys fees. We may use electronic mail (e-mail) to facilitate our communications with you, unless you direct us to do otherwise. However, please keep in mind that the security of e-mail cannot be guaranteed. It is especially important to keep this in mind when sending sensitive information. As with all of our client communications, we will take all reasonable steps to maintain confidentiality when communicating to you by e-mail. You are aware that the firm represents many other companies and individuals. You agree that we may continue to represent or may undertake in the future to represent existing or new clients in any matter that is not substantially related to our work for you, even if the interests of such clients in those other matters may be directly or indirectly adverse to you. We agree, however, that your prospective consent to conflicting representation contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply in any instance where, as a result of our representation of you, we have obtained proprietary or other confidential information of a non-public nature, that, if known to such other client, could be used in any such other matter by such client to your material disadvantage. You should know that, in similar engagement letters with many of our other clients, we have asked for similar agreements to preserve our ability to represent you. Unless previously terminated, our representation of you will terminate upon the conclusion of the matter described in your electronic invoice. We may, but are not obligated to provide you with written notice to you that the engagement has concluded. At the conclusion of your matter, we will retain your physical file for not less than five (5) years, consistent with the requirements of Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15(c). This includes all financial records relating to the representation, trust-account records, ledgers, billing records, and any documents reflecting client property. We may convert some or all file materials into a digital format for storage. In the process of digitizing documents, any original paper documents you provided will be returned to you. Copies of documents you provided will not be returned unless you request them in writing. After digitization, we may destroy paper copies of documents in the file, except for originals that must be returned to you or property we are ethically required to preserve. At the expiration of the file-retention period, we may destroy the remaining physical file materials unless you notify us in writing that you wish to take possession of them before destruction. This policy applies equally to any file materials stored with a third-party vendor. We reserve the right to charge reasonable administrative fees and costs associated with researching, retrieving, copying, and delivering any requested file materials.

Fiffik Law Group, PC is the proud Pennsylvania LegalShield provider law firm. We provide legal counsel for our clients in matters involving estate planning, personal injury, business formation & litigation, and criminal defense. Get in touch today. Protecting, Empowering & Preserving You, Your Business & Your Family START YOUR FREE CONSULTATION ABOUT US Why Choose Fiffik Law Group? We empower individuals and businesses to take control of their future through strategic legal counsel. We guide our clients in making informed decisions that align with their values and goals. We believe that if you don't act for yourself, someone else will, and it might not reflect your intentions or be in your best interest. By providing personalized and comprehensive legal services, we ensure that our clients' legacies, businesses, and real estate transactions are thoughtfully structured to meet their unique needs, fostering peace of mind and security for generations to come. PRACTICE AREAS Michael E. Fiffik Our Partners MEET OUR ATTORNEYS MEET OUR STAFF JOIN OUR TEAM Kevin S. Frankel Matthew A. Bole "I have always received expert service from Fiffik Law Group. No matter the legal issue, I can count on getting the right advice. Thank you for having an attorney with a great deal of knowledge, customer service and heart." "I’ve used this firm going back as long as 10 years ago and have consistently had great experiences and success with them. I highly recommend retaining them for any sort of legal issues that you might have." "Relieved so much stress on my end and helped with many legal inquiries and questions. Would recommend to anyone in need of quick legal assistance." Seen In To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. What NOT to Say to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company After a Car Accident You’ve just been in a car accident. You’re shaken up, maybe in pain, your car looks like modern art, and your phone is already ringing. It’s the other driver’s insurance company. They sound friendly — almost suspiciously friendly, like a used car salesman who just spotted you eyeing the Corvette. Here’s the hard truth: anything you say in that conversation can and will be used against your claim. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that reduces or eliminates Fiffik Law Group, PC 3 days ago 5 min read Adding Your Child's Name to Your Home Deed in Pennsylvania: The Hidden Capital Gains Tax Trap Every week, Pennsylvania homeowners call our office with the same request: "I want to put my child's name on the deed to my house." The motivation is almost always the same — they want to avoid Pennsylvania's inheritance tax, skip the probate process, or simply make sure the house passes to their child without legal complications. These are reasonable goals. But there is a consequence most people never see coming — one that can cost their child tens of thousands of dollars in Fiffik Law Group, PC 4 days ago 7 min read Why a Pennsylvania Prenup Is Only Half the Story: The Case for Wills and POAs A prenuptial agreement defines your rights, but it does not make them happen. In Pennsylvania, a prenup alone cannot transfer property at death or grant medical authority during incapacity. To ensure your prenuptial agreement is enforceable and functional, you must pair it with a Last Will and Testament, a Financial Power of Attorney, and a Healthcare Power of Attorney. Without these documents, your estate may face costly litigation or "intestacy" rules that contradict your p Fiffik Law Group, PC 4 days ago 2 min read 1 2 3 4 5 Contact Us First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone* Subject* Message* Submit

Managing Partner Michael E. Fiffik Michael is the managing member at Fiffik Law Group, PC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mike counsels businesses in all stages of their lifecycles from conception, formation, growth, maturity, expansion, and exit. His clients operate a diverse range of ventures including commercial real estate, restaurants, and entertainment venues, medical practices, medical service providers, dental practices, accounting practices, retail stores, construction firms, trucking companies, crane operators, childcare providers, and various franchises. He has substantial experience facilitating financial transactions including venture investments, acquisitions and sales of privately held companies, strategic alliances, secured lending arrangements, restructuring, corporate governance, and employment issues. A significant portion of his time is devoted to representing landlords and tenants, borrowers, purchasers and sellers, developers and investors, limited partnerships, managers, and owners in a wide variety of commercial estate matters. Michael received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1992 and his undergraduate degree from Penn State University (Go Lions!). He was selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2011-2024 in the areas of business, corporate, and real estate law and is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell in corporate law, litigation and business law. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations. Michael is a regular presenter at Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education courses on subjects including business formation and real estate matters. Michael makes regular appearances to speak on the topic of Group Legal Plans and how they are changing the delivery of legal services in our country. He has been quoted in press releases from Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. and articles appearing in the Oklahoma Journal-Record, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a two-time recipient of the Leadership Award for excellence in management and providing services to their members of LegalShield. He serves on several Boards of Directors for Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Concordia Foundation, and Concordia Lutheran Ministries of Pittsburgh from 2004 – present; is a member of the Lutheran Law League, serves as Chairman of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Thrivent Member Network Board of Directors, participates as a Pro-Bono attorney for Neighborhood Legal Services representing clients with Petitions for Protection from Abuse; and is on the Neighborhood Legal Services reduced-fee panel of attorneys handling domestic and bankruptcy cases and is a Volunteer Attorney for Legal Resources for Women – YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh. BAR ADMISSIONS & EDUCATION Pennsylvania, 1992 Federal District Court, Western Pennsylvania 1992 J.D. University of Pittsburgh, 1992 B.A. Pennsylvania State University, 1989 AREAS OF PRACTICE Business and Corporate Law , Commercial Transactions , Commercial and General Litigation, Real Estate , Workers Compensation , Employment Law, Estate Planning and Estate Administration

Partner Kevin S. Frankel Kevin devotes his practice to Estate Planning & Elder Law to help families protect their loved ones and assets while building their legacy and creating wealth. Kevin earned his J.D. degree from the Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, DE. He is a member of the bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Serving as a trusted advisor, Kevin calmly guides his clients in making the very best personal, financial, and legal decisions for their families throughout their lifetime. Kevin seamlessly counsels his clients with planning for the future, handles crisis situations, and takes advantage of legal solutions to reduce his clients’ legal anxiety. Being a husband and father has brought the awareness that planning is something that you do for the people you love the most. Kevin has witnessed firsthand what not planning does to a family. His primary goal to educate the community on the importance of estate planning, what happens when you don’t plan, and the peace of mind when you do. He has many resources for you, so you can ensure your family and loved ones stay out of court and out of conflict, if and when something happens to you. When he’s not counseling estate planning and elder law clients, Kevin is married to his college sweetheart and they have two beautiful daughters. When he’s not cheering for a Philly’s sports team, he enjoys cooking and spending time with family. BAR ADMISSIONS & EDUCATION Pennsylvania, 2014 Federal District Court, Eastern, Middle & Western PA, 2016 New Jersey, 2014 J.D. Widener University Delaware Law School, 2013 B.S. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2001 AREAS OF PRACTICE Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning

Minh Nguyen Associate Attorney Minh Nguyen represents both individuals and small businesses in courts throughout Philadelphia and surrounding counties, including the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court. Mr. Nguyen has substantial experience handling eviction actions, ejectment cases, lease disputes, and post-judgment enforcement matters such as writs of possession and sheriff's sales. His practice also includes personal injury claims, workers' compensation matters, and general civil litigation, where he regularly drafts motions, conducts hearings, and negotiates resolutions on behalf of his clients. Before practicing law, Mr. Nguyen built a professional background in business and insurance, which informs his practical and strategic approach to legal representation. He understands both the legal and financial aspects of disputes, allowing him to provide clients with clear, results-oriented guidance. Mr. Nguyen earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University Delaware Law School and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business with concentrations in Finance and Management Information Systems from La Salle University. He is committed to providing responsive, straightforward counsel and advocating effectively for his clients both in and out of the courtroom. BAR ADMISSIONS & EDUCATION Pennsylvania, 2024 J.D. Widener University Delaware Law School, 2020 B.A. La Salle University, 2002 AREAS OF PRACTICE Landlord-Tenant Law, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Debt Collection, Contract Disputes, Employment Law, Consumer Protection

If you have been hurt in a car wreck, motorcycle accident, or injured by any type of motor vehicle, you need to contact a Personal Injury lawyer with auto accident experience. Fiffik Law Group, PC has the experience you need to get the compensation you deserve. Auto Accidents If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, we are ready to help your family recover from this tragedy and pursue legal action against those responsible. Our firm represents clients throughout Pennsylvania who have been injured due to the negligence of drivers, insurance companies, and automobile and truck manufacturers. You may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement or emotional distress. Let our experienced team of attorneys help you get the compensation you deserve. Types of Cases Fiffik Law Group, PC has gained a vast range of personal injury expertise through representing clients in cases involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and tractor-trailers, including: Catastrophic injury cases Traumatic brain injury Spinal cord injury Severe burns Head-on collisions Paralysis Hit and run SUV rollovers Rear-end collisions Denial of insurance coverage Rental car collisions Accidents caused by defective parts We know how difficult it can be for families to handle the emotional and financial strain that these accidents can cause. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing clients and their families with passionate representation in court. We use every available resource at our disposal to get maximum compensation for our clients at trial or in a settlement. Nothing is more important to us than our clients. From the moment you contact our office, you are treated with the personal attention and respect you deserve. What NOT to Say to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company After a Car Accident Delayed Car Accident Injuries in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know Merging Roadways – Who Has the Right of Way in Pennsylvania?

Supervising Attorney Karyn L. Coy Karyn was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania in 1997 after graduating from Duquesne University School of Law. She joined Fiffik Law Group in 2017 after accumulating years of experience in the legal field. Karyn provides legal counsel for her clients in matters involving Business, Landlord/Tenant, Family Law, Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Employment, and Consumer Protection. BAR ADMISSIONS & EDUCATION Pennsylvania, 1999 Federal District Court, Western Pennsylvania 1999 J.D. Duquesne University Law School BA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania AREAS OF PRACTICE Civil Litigation, Consumer/Finance, Family Law , Landlord Tenant

Product Recalls & Mass Torts Product recalls are often associated with civil lawsuits that usually have many plaintiffs suing one or a few corporations as defendants. These claims can be brought in state or federal courts. Courts refer to these actions as “mass torts” in part due to the number of litigants, but also because of how the plaintiffs’ attorneys use mass media to discover more people who have been hurt by the corporation. For a lawsuit to be a mass tort, a product must have harmed many people, the same defendant caused those people harm, and they consolidate the suit into one action rather than separate lawsuits. Mass Torts Advances in technology, particularly production and distribution, are part of the reason why mass torts have become necessary in the legal arena. Because of large production and distribution, large numbers of people can be affected by a single product. Mass tort litigation involves many areas of the law, but the two most common mass tort claims involve: Pharmaceutical Claims Many pharmaceutical companies release products without proper testing or even knowing there are serious side effects. These can be prescribed drugs, over-the-counter medications, or medical devices. Product Claims When a product is dangerous or doesn’t act as the consumer expects, the people who were injured by the hazardous device may sue the company through a product claim. Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injections and Increased Risk of Meningiomas (Brain Tumors) Recent medical research has uncovered a troubling connection between the widely used contraceptive injection, Depo-Provera, and the development of brain tumors known as meningiomas. If you have been using the Depo shot and have developed neurological symptoms or undergone life-changing medical procedures, you may be entitled to compensation. READ MORE Fill out and submit our Depo-Provera Questionnaire to see if you are entitled to compensation. DEPO-PROVERA QUESTIONNAIRE Camp LeJeune Water Contamination U.S. Veterans, their family members and employees of Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, may have been exposed to contaminated water between August 1953 and December 1987. Veterans and their families deserve to be properly compensated for their injuries related to their time at Camp LeJeune. READ MORE Fill out and submit our Camp LeJeune Questionnaire to see if you are entitled to compensation. CAMP LEJEUNE QUESTIONNAIRE Hair Straighteners and Increased Risk of Cancer Hair straighteners and relaxer products contain numerous harmful chemicals including phthalates and formaldehyde which may disrupt the hormones that regulate cell growth. Frequent exposure to these chemicals can increase the risk of developing uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancer. We are investigating these cases on behalf of patients who were diagnosed with Uterine/Endometrial or Ovarian cancer with frequent use (at least 4 times a year) of a hair straightener/relaxer for at least two (2) years. READ MORE If you believe this applies, to you, fill out and submit our Hair Relaxer Questionnaire. HAIR RELAXER QUESTIONNAIRE

Fiffik Law Group, PC has the experienced Probate and Estate Administration attorneys necessary to help you answer tough questions, navigate tax laws, obtain appraisals, distribute assets, defend against improper claims, arrange for inventory, and obtain court approval. Probate & Estate Administration Losing a loved one is often one of the most difficult things we go through in our lives. Because of this, we approach every estate administration with compassion and thoughtfulness. We understand that you are hurting, and we want to make this process as easy for you as possible. From a legal standpoint, closing your loved one’s affairs may involve many different steps. Fiffik Law Group knows how to handle this often-difficult task with thorough, competent, and efficient guidance, so you and your family members can focus on what is important. What is Probate? Probate is the legal process where the court assigns someone to administer and distribute assets after a person’s death. Some estates, particularly those of high value or with complex assets like family businesses, can take more time to probate. Others could be easily settled by an alternative method, such as a family settlement agreement. Fiffik Law Group can assist in bringing clarity to the confusing probate process. We understand that dealing with the court system while you are devastated from the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming or stressful. Our firm will make the process as smooth as possible by taking the time to understand your particular situation, address your concerns, and explore options for a successful resolution for you and your family. Don’t get tangled in the legal system while you’re grieving a loved one. Our firm is here to help you answer tough questions, navigate tax laws, obtain appraisals, distribute assets, defend against improper claims, arrange for inventory, and obtain court approval. Common Questions for Executors 1. How do I contact the Social Security Administration? Contact Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or visit Social Security on the Internet at http://www.ssa.gov. 2. How do I report a death to the Social Security Administration? You cannot report a death or apply for survivors’ benefits online. 3. Should Social Security Payments be Returned to the Social Security Administration? Social Security benefits are paid in arrears. This means that the check received each month is in payment of the preceding month's benefits. Thus a check received in January is for December benefits. You must also understand that for a person to be entitled to receive benefits he or she must be living for the entire month. For example if a beneficiary died on Dec. 20, he or she would not be entitled to the check received in January (December benefits). If the beneficiary was being paid benefits via direct deposit, the financial institution receiving those funds should be notified. Benefits received for the month in which the death occurred and any subsequent months that may occur are not yours to keep or spend. Social Security will make arrangements to reclaim those deposits. Some beneficiaries still prefer receiving their benefits in check form rather than via direct deposit. If this is the situation you have, you should not cash any checks received for the month in which death occurred or subsequent months. These checks must be returned to Social Security as promptly as possible. If returning the checks by mail, send them by certified mail return receipt. If you return them in person to the local Social Security office make sure you obtain a receipt. Make sure you keep these receipts so that if at a future date there is a question you will have proof of returning those checks. 4. Who is Entitled to Social Security Survivor Benefits? Survivors of the deceased beneficiary may be entitled to a one-time only death benefit. Generally the one-time death benefit payment of $255 is payable to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the beneficiary at the time the death occurred or if living apart was receiving payments based on the beneficiary's Social Security account. If there is no surviving spouse the one-time death benefit will be paid to a child who was eligible for benefits on the beneficiary's account during the month in which the death occurred. There may be family members who are eligible for survivor's benefits. Those who may qualify are widows, widowers, dependent children and dependent parents. If you feel you are entitled to survivor benefits contact Social Security as soon as possible. If you are divorced, you are not entitled to the one-time $255 death benefit. However, if you are collecting benefits based on your ex-spouse's earnings, those benefits may be subject to change from ex-spousal benefits to full benefits upon his or her death. 5. How do I report a Death for a Recipient of Medical Assistance Benefits? When a recipient dies, the personal representative of the deceased recipient’s estate shall give notice to the department requesting a statement of claim, which is an accounting of all Medical Assistance payments made for the decedent for nursing home services, home and community based services and related hospital and prescription drug services. The notice shall be sent by certified mail return receipt or fax, with the deceased’s name, deceased’s last known address, deceased’s Social Security number, deceased’s date of birth, deceased’s date of death, and written documentation of the gross value of the deceased’s estate to: Division of Third Party Liability Department of Human Services Estate Recovery Program P.O. Box 8486 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8486 Fax # (717) 772-6553 Please be sure to include the personal representative’s name, address, and telephone number in the letter so the Medical Assistance Estate Recovery staff can respond. Within 45 days of receipt of an accurate and complete notice, the Department of Human Services must send to the personal representative of the estate, a statement of claim listing the amount of Medical Assistance paid. If the personal representative of the estate has questions about the amount owed or disagrees with it, he or she should contact the Medical Assistance Estate Recovery Program by telephone or letter. The Medical Assistance Estate Recovery Program will address any issues regarding the claim with the personal representative of the estate. 6. What Property of a Decedent is Subject to Estate Recovery for Medical Assistance Benefits? Any property or assets that are part of the deceased’s estate are subject to Medical Assistance Estate Recovery. An estate includes property or assets owned entirely or in part by the deceased. Medical Assistance Estate Recovery only recovers estate property or assets. 7. What happens if the spouse or a dependent child is still living after the Medical Assistance recipient dies? If the spouse is still living and the property passes to the surviving spouse outside of the estate, there is no recovery by the Department of Human Services. If there is a dependent child who is under age 21, recovery will be postponed until the child reaches age 21. For an adult child who is blind or totally and permanently disabled, recovery will be postponed until the adult child dies. 8. May I pay the funeral expenses from the decedent’s bank account without commencing and estate administration proceeding? Yes, if the balance of the account is less than $10,000. When someone dies, it’s not unusual to leave behind a bank account in that person’s name alone, rather than in an account held jointly or with a named beneficiary. Under Pennsylvania law, someone will have to open a probate estate for such accounts over $10,000. That means going to the Register of Wills office, filing papers, and going through a somewhat involved procedure, sometimes to close only one bank account. But if the account is $10,000 or less in value, Pennsylvania law allows next of kin to obtain funds remaining in the account with no need to open a probate estate. This rule is found in Pennsylvania’s statutes at 20 Pa. C.S. § 3101(b). It requires a family member to present to the bank a receipt (or an affidavit of a licensed funeral director) showing that “satisfactory arrangements for payment of funeral services have been made.” The bank must then pay the amount on deposit “to the spouse, any child, the father or mother or any sister or brother (preference being given in the order named) of the deceased depositor.” 9. How do I report a Death to the Public School Employees Retirement System (PSERS)? If you are a family member or responsible for the estate of a person receiving a monthly benefit payment from PSERS and wish to report the death of a retiree or survivor annuitant, please call them at 1.888.773.7748, or by email at ContactPSERS@pa.gov Information regarding the retirement option selected or remaining value of the account will not be released by phone or email. A copy of the death certificate, along with a letter stating your contact information, should be mailed to: DPC PSERS 5 N 5th Street Harrisburg PA 17101-1905 After PSERS receives this information, additional forms and/or information pertaining to the account will be sent to you and/or any named beneficiaries. 10. Should I close the decedent’s checking account(s) right away? We suggest that you leave a decedent’s checking account open for at least three months following the date of death. There are several reasons: i) to allow checks written prior to death to clear; ii) if you receive a check in the decedent’s name, it may be easier to deposit it in the checking account rather than an account opened for the estate; iii) to allow for previously arranged automatic deposits for wages, benefits, dividends, etc. 11. How do I get additional death certificates? The Pennsylvania Department of Health allows you to submit a request for a death certificate online here. Applicants can also mail paper applications to the Department of Health Division of Vital Records. Paper applications can be printed here. Both the online and paper applications allow you to specify the number of copies needed at $20.00 per certificate. Currently, the processing time for applications is approximately 3 weeks. 12. I’ve been appointed as an Executor to my loved ones Estate, do I need to accept the appointment? If you have been appointed to be the executor of an estate, you have the option to renounce the appointment. In these circumstances an alternative executor, if named in the decedent’s Will, or the next of kin as outlined by state succession laws, can step in as the estate’s executor. 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