The statewide free legal line, staffed by attorneys at the SeniorLAW Center, will provide advice and resources to help families navigate the court system.

WHYY - Pennsylvania grandparents who find themselves unexpectedly raising their young grandchildren will now have access to free legal advice and support while navigating child custody issues and the court system.

The state has launched the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line for residents 60 and older who are the primary caregivers for one or more children. The support service is an expansion of an existing program in Philadelphia.

The legal line is staffed with attorneys from the SeniorLAW Center who will provide legal information, advice and referrals to other social services, including food and financial assistance.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is alerting taxpayers about a growing number of fraudulent tax schemes circulating on social media that promote the misuse of credits such as the Fuel Tax Credit and the Sick and Family Leave Credit. These scams have led thousands of taxpayers to file inaccurate or frivolous returns, often resulting in the denial of refunds and steep penalties.

Since 2022, the IRS has seen a surge in questionable refund claims fueled by misleading social media posts and bad actors posing as tax experts. Many of the posts falsely claim that all taxpayers are eligible for credits they do not actually qualify for, such as those meant for self-employed individuals or businesses. The IRS routinely publishes and updates a list of frivolous positions on IRS.gov that could lead to the imposition of penalties.

Harrisburg, PA – On September 25, 2025, MidPenn Legal Services host its annual Access to Justice event at Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, PA.

Lancaster Attorney Sheila V. O’Rourke, Gibbel, Gibble Kraybill and Hess LLP, will receive the Donald F. Smith, Jr. Pro Bono Award for her commitment to advancing access to justice and serving marginalized communities. The Law Firm of the Year Award goes to the Blakinger Thomas Law Firm for its commitment to legal excellence and community impact.

The Friends of Legal Services Award will be presented to the Lancaster Bar Association and Lancaster Law Foundation. Through their many public interest projects, they have demonstrated how legal organizations can be a catalyst for positive change in the community.

Attorney James P. DeAngelo will also be recognized at the event for his work during MidPenn’s Pursuing Justice-Improving Lives campaign. This online giving campaign raises funding to provide free civil legal services in MidPenn’s 18-county service area.

The Access to Justice event is open to the public. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MidPenn Legal Services website: www.midpenn.org. MidPenn Legal Services is a nonprofit, public interest law firm serving 18 counties in central Pennsylvania.