Can my father intentionally disinherit me in Bucks County?

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My father died a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania and named his girlfriend as beneficiary of his life insurance policy and pension. I was listed as a secondary beneficiary. Can my father give his life insurance and pension to his girlfriend instead of his children?

In Pennsylvania there is no requirement that a father or mother leave their children any part of their probate estate. There is also no requirement that your father had to leave his life insurance to a child. Pensions may have their own sets of rules about where the pension benefits have to pass at death, but these rules usually protect a surviving spouse, not children. You may wish to contact the benefits administrator who oversaw your father’s pension to see if he violated any rules by skipping a child in favor of a girlfriend.

If you have questions about Probate in Bucks County, feel free to contact our office for a free consultation.