Blog & Resources

From Our “Ask a Question,” Mailbag: “My mother died, and her Will says my sister and I divide everything. My sister is the executor, and she won’t give me my money. She says I am not ready and will waste the money.  Can an executor withhold money from a beneficiary?” […]

For Release: Attorney Glen Ridenour is again successful in an Orphans Court Appeal. Orphans Court Appeal, Another Victory for Attorney Ridenour. Even judges make mistakes.   For example, during a Will Contest case, judges make rulings. Usually, these rulings are correct or, if incorrect, don’t affect the trial’s outcome. But, […]

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “My brother was named the executor for my mother’s estate. He has moved into the house and now refuses to answer my calls. What are the grounds for removal of an executor?” Grounds for Removal of an Executor. An Executor is a fiduciary who […]

What Happens When No Will Exists, or it Cannot Be Found? What are your options if you are an estate’s executor and are unable to locate a will?  Similarly, what if you believe the existing will is not valid? In general, the c will get involved and oversee the entire […]

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My mother died in Montgomery County, PA, and set up a trust for me in her will. The Trust pays out now that I am 40. I recently found out the trustee failed to pay the Trust’s income taxes for ten years. How do I prove that he committed a breach of fiduciary duty? Can I make him pay the interest and penalty?”

Ask a Question” mailbag: Isn’t it true that theft from estate disqualifies beneficiary from inheriting from that estate? “As the executor of my mother’s estate I was able to prove that my brother stole from my mom. The judge ordered him to return the money. My mother’s Willdivides the assets between all the children equally. Is my brother disqualified from inheriting his share?”

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses what to do if the executor refuses to file the Will:

“My sister refuses to file my mother’s Will. She moved into the house and won’t return my calls. What can I do? Should I hire an estate litigator?”

My Dad passed away this month. When he died, I found out that I was still on his Delaware County apartment lease as a cosigner. The lease was signed in 2011. I had moved out in 2013, letting the management company know that I wanted off the lease. When I asked if the management company had anything for me to sign, they replied ‘no’. When I had moved out, my Dad had let his brother, his son and his grandson move in. They are still there and the landlord’s been asking them for money for each day they are there past the end of last month. When my Dad died, I just thought I would be morally obligated to remove my Dad’s property and clean. Instead, I am getting a feeling that the landlord wants to hold me responsible for damages, utilities, and possible future rent. My Dad had nothing and I am a stay at home mom of special needs children.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. I have advertised the estate and paid all the valid creditors. However, a neighbor of my mother has made a claim for $10,000 that has no validity. Can I make distribution without paying him?
The quick answer is yes, but the correct answer is that you should not.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My husband received a small sum from his aunt’s estate. We looked up the will ourselves at the Camden County Surrogate, and we believe he should have gotten more. The executor will not answer our questions. What can we do?