Blog & Resources

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: “What is a Spousal Limited Access Trust?”

A Spousal Lifetime Access Trust, or SLAT, holds and shelters your gifts for your spouse’s benefit.

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My Uncle died 4 months ago in Burlington County, New Jersey. I am in the Will. How long does it take to get an Inheritance?”

The time it takes to get an inheritance can vary widely between estates in New Jersey. Many factors that can impact a Personal Representative. The concern I have is that the Personal Representative is not adequately communicating his or her plan of action. An Executor or Personal Representative should clearly communicate to you an estimate of when you are receiving your inheritance.

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My sister died recently in Montgomery County, PA, and her boyfriend is filing a forged will. Can I bring a will challenge? “My sister died and her boyfriend is filing a forged Will that gives him everything. The Will she wrote several years ago gives her money to her daughter. Her daughter is hesitant bring a Will challenge. Can I file the Will challenge for her?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Do my husband’s parents inherit his estate? “My husband died without a Will in Chester County, PA. He owned real estate and had several accounts in his name alone. He had no children, but his parents are both alive. Do my husband’s parents inherit his estate?”

Ask a Question” mailbag: “Can my son use my power of attorney to give away all my property?”

A Durable Power of Attorney gives your “Agent” the right to make financial decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. Each power of attorney can be unique. I need to examine your actual document to answer the question, can your son use that particular document to legally make gifts to himself, but here are some facts. A durable power of attorney can give your son the right to make unlimited gifts. In other words, your Power of Attorney could allow your son to legally leave you penniless.

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: How do I petition for guardianship of my brother? “My mother has taken care of my severely autistic little brother his whole life in Philadelphia. She can no longer do so and wants me to take on the responsibility. How do I become my brother’s legally recognized Guardian?”

How important is it to choose a Philadelphia Will Contest Attorney whose only focus is estate litigation? Naturally; never trust a complex will contest to a part-time practitioner. That is to say, such cases require specific experience in a particular court. In other words, a “Philadelphia Will Contest Attorney” cannot exist without years of experience. Indeed, contesting wills in the Orphans’ Court is learned over time. As an illustration, with over 20 years of experience, even someone like myself learns more each day.

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Can a non-citizen spouse inherit land from me, a US citizen, even while a non-resident? My wife lives in India, but I have property in my name here in the United States.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My father remarried and then recently died, how do I locate the Will? I’ve tried to get His wife to produce his will but she will not respond to my calls, he lived in in Bucks County.