UNRUH TURNER BURKE & FREES is proud to announce that Matthew Korenoski, an associate at the firm, has recently authored an article in the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section Newsletter. The article “Real Property Case Law and Legislative Update” provides a comprehensive overview of recent legislative changes and important court decisions impacting real property matters in Pennsylvania.
In the article, Matt highlights the significant amendment to the Taxpayer Relief Act, signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro on August 4, 2023. This amendment, known as 2023 Pa. Legis. Serv. Act 2023-7 went into effect on October 3, 2023. The changes are expected to benefit thousands of older and disabled Pennsylvanians by expanding eligibility for property tax rebates and increasing the dollar value for certain households.
The amendment adjusted income limits for property tax rebates and raised the maximum rebate for senior citizens. Matt explains that these changes are projected to allow approximately 175,000 more senior citizens to qualify for property tax rebates, enabling around 400,000 current recipients to receive increased rebates.
Additionally, the article delves into the legal complexities surrounding the proposed annexation of the Borough of Wilkinsburg by the City of Pittsburgh. Matt provides insights into the legal arguments presented by both proponents and objectors, ultimately detailing the Commonwealth Court’s decision affirming that annexation required a majority vote in both the Borough and the City.
The article also addresses a recent split decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in GM Berkshire Hills LLC v. Berks Cnty. Bd. of Assessment, et al. The court’s opinion examined whether a school district’s policy of appealing recently sold properties, where the fair market value underlying the real estate tax assessment significantly differed from the sales price, violated the Uniformity Clause of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Further, Matt discusses a nonprecedential opinion from the Superior Court regarding consentable boundary lines in the case of Rosborough v. Carmel Developments, Inc. The court concluded that a consentable line by recognition and acquiescence existed, but that the evidence did not support the precise dimensions of the disputed property, leading to the award of nominal damages.
As an associate at UNRUH TURNER BURKE & FREES, Matthew Korenoski practices Zoning and Land Use, Real Estate and Commercial Litigation, and Municipal Law. He represents individuals, businesses, and government bodies (including townships, zoning hearing boards, and other local authorities) in matters involving real estate and commercial litigation, zoning and land use, appeals, contract disputes, consumer rights actions, eminent domain, and sewage and water issues. Matt has been selected for inclusion in the prestigious 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for Land Use/Zoning, earned recognition from Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch™ for 2023 for Land Use and Zoning Law and Municipal Law, was named a “Top Lawyer” in Municipal Law by Main Line Today since 2021, and received the Daily Local’s Top Lawyers of Chester County Reader’s Choice Award consistently since 2021. Matt graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University School of Law.
For a detailed exploration of these legal developments and their implications, please refer to Matt’s article in the Pennsylvania Bar Association Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section Newsletter.
About the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Newsletter
The Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section newsletter is published by the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Unruh Turner Burke & Frees partner Theodore F. Claypoole is the publication’s Executive Editor.
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