This program is eligible for 1 hour of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 1.2 hours of CLE credit. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
Overview
This session will address unique challenges in the practical application of an Agent’s authority under Power of Attorney Instruments, including i) interpreting the scope of authority granted and limitations such as in the areas of gifting, delegating, and co-Agent authority, ii) revoking an Agent’s authority under the Power of Attorney instrument, iii) addressing breaches of an Agent’s duty and accountings, and iv) understanding the interplay between an Agent and subsequently appointed Guardian, including the transfer of funds, records, and reporting.
Recorded in September 2025.
Faculty
Lisa M. Dougan, Esq.
Lisa has been working in the trust and estate area for close to 20 years. She started her career by serving on the staff of the Honorable Lee J. Mazur in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Orphans’ Court Division, while attending law school in the evening. Prior to joining Aligned Partners Trust Company, Lisa worked for a non-profit trust company that administered special needs trust for individuals with disabilities. Lisa earned a Bachelor and Master’s Degree from the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at Duquesne University. While studying forensic science in graduate school, Lisa decided to pursue a legal career. She went on to graduate cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law. Lisa is the current Vice Chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Probate and Trust Law Section Council and is also a member of the Elder Law Committee. In addition, Lisa is a Board Member of the Estate Planning Council, member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys and Pennsylvania Bar Association. Lisa also had the privilege of serving on the Allegheny County Orphans’ Court Rules Committee and assisting with the drafting of the new local Orphans’ Court rules.
Daniel A. Seibel, Esq.
Dan’s practice focuses on estate and tax planning, estate and trust administration, fiduciary litigation and related dispute resolution. He has represented corporations and individuals in both personal and fiduciary capacities in interpretation, surcharge, accounting, removal, contest, breach of fiduciary duty, and related claims before the Orphans’ Court Divisions throughout the Courts of Common Pleas in southwestern Pennsylvania. Dan is often sought for representation beyond Pennsylvania and has tried several cases throughout the country as lead counsel by admission pro hac vice in jurisdictions as far south as Tennessee and as far west as New Mexico. In addition to estate and trust issues, Dan’s experience extends to disputes involving powers of attorney, multi-party and transfer-on-death accounts, life insurance benefits, retirement accounts, custodial accounts, transfers to minors, as well as matters involving the Internal Revenue Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue such as audits, appeals, private letter ruling requests, and matters before the United States Tax Court. Dan’s practice also focuses on providing clients with tightly coordinated and specially tailored estate and tax planning services including business succession, charitable giving, private foundation, and post-mortem planning services. Dan routinely works with all of the major trust companies and financial institutions having trust powers in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and has had the pleasure of representing several professional athletes over the course of his career, most recently Aaron Rogers and DK Metcalf. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Pittsburgh Legal Journal, the Pittsburgh Lawyers Journal, and has been further recognized by his peers in a variety of publications.
Nora Chatha, Esq.
Ms. Chatha is equity shareholder and the Chair of the Estates & Trusts and Fiduciary Services practice groups at Tucker Arensberg, P.C. Ms. Chatha focuses her practice on estate and trust planning and administration, focusing on fiduciary representation. special needs and long-term issues. Ms. Chatha represents individuals and fiduciaries in all areas of estate planning and wealth preservation, and healthcare providers in an array of estate and public benefit matters. Past experience as legal counsel with the Pennsylvania State Medicaid (Medical Assistance) Agency, the Department of Public Human Services (formerly Public Welfare), and knowledge of Orphans’ Court practice and fiduciary duties assist her in providing comprehensive representation to clients in a variety of complex situations. Ms. Chatha received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and obtained a B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh. Nora is a fellow of the esteemed American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). ACTEC membership is based on professional reputation, knowledge in the fields of trusts and estates and on the basis of having made substantial contributions to these fields through lecturing, writing, teaching, and bar activities and is also a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation
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