Blog & Resources

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I have signed a General Power of Attorney giving my girlfriend the power to act for me, but I don’t want her to have it yet. I only want her to have it when (and if) I become unable to care for myself. Should I keep it in my safe at home? We both live in Bucks County, so she is close by.

The problem with putting your General Power of Attorney in your safe is that if you become incapacitated, your girlfriend will likely be unable to get into the safe. You could give her the combination to the safe, but that runs contrary to your wish. If she has the combination, she can get to the General Power of Attorney at any time. This is a common problem.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My son has very little ambition and lives in my basement. My other children are successful and have their own houses. At my death, I want my house sold and the money divided equally between my three children, but I am sure that my son will refuse to leave the house. What can I do to make sure the house is sold?

Children who will not leave the house are a common problem, and a source of family conflict. By recognizing the potential problem, you can help defuse the potential conflict.

I suggest that we amend your will to state clearly that the house must be sold immediately following your death.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I have been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s and need to create a way to have my son assist me as the disease progresses. Can a Revocable Living Trust help my son assist me with my diminished capacity and against any creditors that may arise in the future?

You are wise to start planning now to address your Alzheimer’s. Most people put off this planning, and that rarely ends well.

Creating a Revocable Living Trust that names both you and your son as co-trustees, each able to act independently, is a good system to help prepare for the future.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother became ill and came to my house in Bucks County. Two weeks later, she died. In the rush to get things done, I didn’t notice that the funeral director mistakenly put Bucks County as her residence rather than Collier County, Florida. Her will gives everything to me, does it matter if I file the will in Bucks County? How do I correct the death certificate?

The county listed on the death certificate does matter, as the Register of Wills of Bucks County and the Surrogate in Collier County will use the death certificate as proof of what County your mother resided in at death. This matters to you because if she was a resident of Collier County, Florida, there is no Inheritance Tax.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the administrator of my brother’s estate in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I have advertised the estate and paid all the valid creditors, but a neighbor of my brother has made a claim for $50,000 that I believe has no validity. Can I distribute the estate funds without paying him?

The quick answer is yes, but the right answer is that you should not.

As the executor, you are free to make “at risk” distributions. An “at risk” distribution is that may put your personal assets at risk. Your Bucks County Estate Administration Lawyer works hard to keep you out of trouble. If you ignore your brother’s neighbor, you could be putting yourself at risk.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother died and left us her house. We got two appraisals, which were near the value listed for real estate taxes. Then, we received a cash offer for a higher amount. Do we pay taxes on the appraisal amount, or the amount we will now sell the house for?

You have an argument for both values, but be careful! The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax is based on the value of the house on the date your mother died. So, you could argue that the appraised value is correct and that the house simply went up in value after her death. This would mean listing a smaller number on the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return, which you would think means less tax.

Not necessarily so!

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Before she died, my mother-in-law lived in my Bucks County, Pennsylvania house and required round-the-clock care, which I provided. My husband’s brother and sister did not even visit. Now that she has died, her estate is being divided up between the children. They refuse to compensate me for all the work I did caring for their mother. Can I make a claim to be paid?

Your mother-in-law’s estate is to be divided up between the heirs as her will dictates, or through the rules of intestacy if she had no will. Prior to the division of the assets, all creditors must be paid.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Last year, my mother died in Bucks County and named me as beneficiary of her life insurance. As my children were the contingent beneficiaries, I decided to disclaim the inheritance, so the insurance money passed to my children. I was recently in a car accident. If I am sued can they claim that life insurance money?

No one can force you to take an inheritance.

If you properly disclaimed your interest in the life insurance, then you never received it. If you never received it, then any future creditor that you may have cannot claim the asset.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My father died a few months ago as a resident of Bucks County. I was named as executor in his Will. My siblings and I need our inheritance now to pay off some bills, but we are worried about my dad’s creditors coming forward and asking to be paid. Is there a statute of limitations for creditors to come forward? If I don’t wait, can I ever be personally responsible for the estate debts?

Your father’s death did not end his obligation to pay unpaid bills. By taking on the job of executor, you have the power and duty to marshal his assets and pay his outstanding bills. Compared to other states, Pennsylvania is creditor-friendly. If you have notice of a creditor, you are expected to address the claim.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My grandfather, a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, died of dementia 12 years ago. Shortly before his death, his will was changed, giving everything to my aunt. We believed that my grandfather died broke, but now that my aunt died, we found out that he had a joint account with her containing a large sum of money. The prior will states that I would receive a portion of his estate. Can I challenge the will?

First, a will challenge case alone based on incapacity or undue influence, even if successful, would not help you. You stated that the funds were in a joint account. A joint account passes outside of probate, meaning the will has no effect on the joint ownership. To be successful, you would first have to prove that the joint account was created improperly—perhaps under undue influence or forgery—so that the assets would pour into the estate.