Reviews

After being diagnosed with a progressive and debilitating illness without a promising treatment, I was faced with the reality of medical needs and expenses beyond what I would be able to afford. Being familiar with the name Zacharia Brown from radio commercials I decided to contact them after a support counselor suggested I try getting qualified for Medicaid and said they were successful in helping others in my position. I called and setup an appointment with Colleen Bratkovich, the best decision ever. After reviewing my situation Colleen said she could get me qualified and agreed to represent me in filing for Medicaid. The process took several months. I was required to provide detailed information and documents, and had a lot of questions which Colleen and her staff were always prompt and happy to answer. I appreciated their attention to detail and being able to correspond by e-mail. They made a stressful process seem routine. After a final submission I was approved for Medicaid. My concerns relating to my medical expenses has eased considerably. I would recommend Zacharia Brown and Colleen Bratkovich to anyone who is in need of an elder law attorney.

The folks at Zacharia Brown were extremely helpful with information regarding setting up nursing home care for my aunt back in 2011. At that time, they provide us with advice with regard to protecting her assets and a means of getting excellent care at a local nursing home. When she passed away, in 2019, Jennifer Derby, stepped up and helped us with her estate. She reviewed her will and provide advice when her executor had passed away. Jennifer served as her executor and did an excellent job dealing with the sale of her home and working with the state of Pennsylvania. She also reviewed and updated my will and other legal documents regarding my future estate. In all, the firm was easy to deal with and provided exceptional service. I think that elder care service for everyone is a must. They not only help you deal with present problems but also help you think of the future so to make it easier for your family.

My family has been an extremely satisfied client of Carl Zachariah for many years. After my father passed away, I needed assistance to apply for survivor benefits from the Veterans Administration, for my mother. Carl recommended I work with Colleen Bratkovich, who has a great deal of experience with the Veterans Administration applications. The process took about two years from start to finish. And I required a lot of hand holding from Colleen through out those two years. Thankfully, Colleen's experience with these filings eventually resulted in a successful outcome. We are grateful for these benefits--used as a portion of the payment for the significant expenses for long term care for my mother.

Anyone who has had to provide caregiving for a loved one knows that it is heart wrenching and stressful. Transitioning a parent from their own home to a facility that can provide 24 hour care and support is never easy, but often necessary. Once you realize that you can no longer postpone this difficult decision, reality takes hold. How will I pay for this? How can I best utilize and protect existing assets? What regulations come into play that I may not be aware? Are other sources of financial support available? These were the questions that I posed to several highly touted elder attorney firms in the area. After considerable review, I chose Zacharia Brown and specifically Colleen Bratkovich. Why? Because Colleen confidently, but without an air of pretentiousness, clearly answered my questions in a way that didn't make be feel less than educated in the many complexities and nuances relevant to Elder Law. She offered more than one option to meeting my needs while clearly outlining the pros and cons of each choice. The proposed fee for services was very reasonable as compared to other firms that I had interviewed. Once, I contracted Zacharia Brown, Colleen always promptly responded to my emails or phone calls. As a result of Colleen's counsel, we were able to: 1) legally tighten wills and POA documents, 2) develop a financial a strategy for my mother's long - term care, 3) legally protect existing assets, and 4) secure Veteran survivor benefits. I highly recommend that you meet with Colleen so you may see and hear how she and her firm can provide the necessary guidance and support to meet your needs.

After my mother fell and broke her hip, she was admitted to a nursing home to recover. I needed an attorney to help protect my mother’s assets for Medicaid purposes. I immediately contacted Colleen Bratkovich. I attended a seminar on Medicaid planning by Colleen and was impressed with what I heard. Colleen has been such a great support and has taken care of all my mother’s finances. She clearly explained what was required and what I needed to do to move forward with our plan. Colleen has always been prompt with responses and has taken the time to answer and explain what we were doing with my mother’s assets and why. Since my mother entered a nursing home Colleen took care of all that was necessary to protect my mother’s assets. She is wonderful to work with plus really has a genuine concern for her clients.

Zacharia Brown firm, In April of 2019 we had lost our Mother. Our decision was to source legal representation to guide us in settling her estate. Our funeral director suggested the law firm of Zacharia Brown. However, we contacted a number of attorneys plus reviewed internet sites. Most lawyers’ offices and staff had presented themselves as more concerned about their schedule or image than a perspective client. Honestly, even though informally directed to Zacharia Brown, we contacted their concern last. They welcomed our call, referred us to Colleen Bratkovich and were very understanding. With a little apprehension, the both of us met with Ms Colleen. She immediately put us at ease and generally outlined what to expect. Explaining what would be our part and her part in estate settlement. Ms Colleen covered in detail all the documents we would need to provide or research. Plus she put a workable timeline in place to cover probate, taxes, estate accounts and debt resolutions. To both of us Ms Colleen Bratkovich was Zacharia Brown. As their representative they would have been proud of her professionalism coupled with genuine caring. As a professional Ms Colleen is a clear communicator, punctual for all meetings and willing to answer all of our questions. She made herself available via phone, meeting or email throughout over a year of estate settlement. As a caring counselor, Ms Colleen would follow up details and provide us with simple understandable explanations. She personally met with us a number of times for status reviews. Since probate is a cumbersome process, Ms Colleen also made it a point to meet us at the court as our system guide. Always available, always there when needed. At the final stages of estate closing we had an issue with a settlement company and timely escrow returns. Ms Colleen continued to represent our interests far past the estate closure. She was there for both of us to assure 100% satisfaction. Aside from our high regard for Ms Colleen Bratkovich as a person and professional, we would like to include a few additional comments: Your offices were in a neatly maintained older dwelling, possibly a former home. This office atmosphere consequently is warm and inviting. The reception area and meeting rooms were far better than visiting competing “ Big City “ cold detached offices. Every call to your office was met with a friendly air of respect. Usually we talked with Ms Coleen at reception. She was always open, friendly and very helpful. On occasion we had met other associates, they also put our needs first. In retrospect, after losing a loved one, estate closure is an overwhelming endeavor. Zacharia Brown, through the efforts of Ms Colleen Bratkovich and her associates, made this a very manageable experience.

It has been a pleasure working with Colleen Bratkovich from Zachary and Brown. Colleen worked with us on setting up my parent’s trusts, power of attorneys, will, and VA benefits. Colleen is professional, highly intelligent and very well versed in all aspects of elder and VA law. Colleen made the process easy to understand with minimal impact of my time. I live outside of PA, when I needed to travel to sign documents, she even changed her schedule to accommodate mine on several occasions. My father (Pop) was a WWII Veteran and Colleen worked with him before his passing. Pop had Alzheimer’s and was living in an Assisted Living Facility. Colleen interacted with Mom and Pop at the facility on several occasions. She showed great compassion, patients and care for both of my parents. Along with being a great attorney, she is also a kind, caring person. I highly recommend Colleen for any elder care needs you may have.

We've used Zacharia Brown PC for our wills and powers of attorney, to aid in obtaining additional support from the Veterans Administration for my Mom, and to guide us through the probate process when she passed. We cannot be more appreciative of their care, competence and comfort. I know this post sounds like an ad but my husband and I mean it. And Colleen was great!

Zachariah and Brown helped my family for the past 11 years and we have benefitted tremendously from the council and services rendered. First, when my mother-in-law needed long term medical care, Christine Brown Murphy skillfully and accurately advised my father-in-law as to the best way to preserve as much of their joint assets as legally possible. A few years later, my father-in-law, a WW2 Veteran, developed dementia. Colleen Bratkovich represented him and applied for VA benefits on his behalf. He was approved for benefits and this made an big difference in his quality of life, for the remainder of his life. He received enough benefits and services from the VA that he was able to stay in his own home and then ours, rather than needing to go into a long term care facility. It was always clear to us that she was representing him, and his best interests. She was simultaneously personable, professional, efficient, reliable and knowledgeable. When he passed away in 2019, Colleen settled his estate for us and again we were very satisfied. We initially chose Zachariah and Brown because they specialize in Elder Law. We stayed with them because we were more than satisfied and they also specialize in Veterans benefits. We used the McKeesport office. We were always able to park directly next to the office and met with our attorney in a large, private conference room. We had many contacts with the legal secretary at that office (Coleen M.) and she was reliable, pleasant and helpful. Partnering repeatedly with Zachariah and Brown has been a very good financial and overall decision for my family.

Five Starts go to Colleen Bratkovich for coming to my rescue! Attorney Bratkovich willingly and knowledgeably guided me in an trust matter. Many Thanks!

The team at Zacharia Brown is very knowledgeable. Our parents unfortunately did not understand what needed to take place in order for them to prepare us for their future. Especially if they needed to go to a nursing home. Jennifer was assigned our case and any questions we asked her, we received quality answers immediately. Thank you Jennifer for all your help!

My family needed an attorney for advice concerning my mom who was being admitted to a skilled facility after being in a hospital. We had hoped that she would only be there a few days, but that was not the case. Friends of mine had used Zacharia Brown, especially Attorney Colleen Bratkovich, and they were very happy with her knowledge and expertise and recommended that we call her. Starting with the first call that I made to Colleeen Bratkovich, I actually felt like I was dealing with family. Her concern and compassion for my mom and for my family was amazing . Colleen asked questions about our situation and then made some suggestions to us in dealing with my mom being in a skilled facility. My mom did not have much assets and Colleen was able to lead us in the correct direction to get help paying for her stay at the skilled facility. She did all the paperwork required and submitted it on our behalf. We did get help with the payment owed and it took a lot of stress off my family. I dealt with Zacharia Brown through their McKeesport, PA. office. I would recommend them to everyone, if you are looking for answers and someone to help you. Thank you Colleen for all of your help and especially your friendship through our difficult time. YOU ARE THE BEST!!!! Wayne