From our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: Protecting PA Inheritance from an Untrustworthy Executor

Most Recently Updated July 15, 2018.

“I am a beneficiary in a will that has been through probate. Unfortunately, the executrix is very untrustworthy, and I feel that she has been spending all the money in the deceased’s accounts. Neither she, nor her attorney, have provided me with any accounting of any accounts. Is there any way that I could freeze the accounts before all the money is spent?”

Protecting PA Inheritance from an Untrustworthy Executor

Protecting PA Inheritance from an Untrustworthy Executor

Executors in Pennsylvania are given a great deal of power to act on their own, without court supervision. This works well when the Executor is honest, as the estate can be managed less expensively. If the Executor is untrustworthy, though, this system can fail unless the beneficiaries enforce their interests.

Petition for Accounting

In your case, we can file a Petition for Accounting with the Orphans’ Court and obtain assurances that the estate assets are secure. If the Executor will not provide us with these assurances, the judge has the power to order the estate assets frozen or even remove the Executor and replace her with a neutral party.

Further Estate Litigation Questions?

The formal accounting is only one of many Estate Litigation issues our firm addresses. Consequently, if you want to learn more, please read my more detailed article, Trust and Estate Litigation All You Need to Know.

In Conclusion:Protecting PA Inheritance from an Untrustworthy Executor

I hope that this article was helpful in explaining a formal accounting. Further, I included links to even more detailed information on my website. Therefore, please contact me and let me know how I did. Certainly, your comments and questions are welcome!

Let our Litigation Lawyers help walk you through what can be a confusing process. To begin with, call to speak to one of our experienced Litigation Attorneys.  By all means, our lawyers are ready to answer your questions. In fact, feel free to contact our office for a free consultation. Ultimately our goal is to put our 25 years of estate litigation experience to work for you.

Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Estate Litigation It’s All We Do!

Tags: Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Duties and Responsibilities, Estate Litigation, Estate Litigation Attorney, Estate Litigation Lawyer, Formal Accounting, Inheritance, Litigation, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia