Blog & Resources

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my Father’s estate in Chester County, Pennsylvania. I want to distribute the estate assets according to the will. Is there a statute of limitations, or a time period for creditors making claims against the estate? If I distribute the assets, can I be held responsible if creditors make a claim?

First, 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 responsibility to assemble his assets and pay those bills. Compared to other states, Pennsylvania is rather creditor-friendly. If you have notice of a creditor, you are expected to address the claim.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I live in Bucks County, and my Will names my two children as co-executors. I thought this was a natural thing to do, but my children have not been getting along recently. What are my options?

Naming your children as co-executors when they don’t get along is a bad idea. Co-executors have to work well together and cooperate. Children who are having a dispute can transform a small family squabble into a feud that could last for generations.

You should investigate changing your Will to name another family member or, if you have none that you trust, to name your Bucks County Estate Planning Attorney.

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?

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother named me her Agent under her Camden County, New Jersey Power of Attorney, and I cared for her for years. Now my sister claims I embezzled and stole money using the Power of Attorney. How do I clear my name?

As Agent, you are permitted to retain a Camden County Surrogates Court Attorney to assist you in filing a Formal Accounting of all your actions as Agent. This accounting is then provided to all interested parties, who are free to either accept the terms or object.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: The attorney handling my uncle’s Delaware County estate mailed me a Receipt, Release, Refunding and Indemnification Agreement. The release document includes no details about how much he spent or other expenses. If I sign this, do I waive my rights to ask any questions?

A Receipt, Release, Refunding and Indemnification Agreement is a probate tool that allows the executor to distribute estate funds to a beneficiary with the promise from the beneficiary to return the funds if it later turns out they were distributed in error. The same form can contain language that, if you sign, means that you agree to take the funds without an accounting and waive your rights to ask future questions.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My neighbor said that she was going to leave me money in her will. However, after my neighbor’s death, a distant relative of hers filed a will with the Philadelphia County Register of Wills that gave everything to that relative. I think that will is a forgery. Is there a statute of limitations period for me to challenge the will?

Yes. If you had acted before the will was filed, you could have had your Philadelphia Probate Attorney file a caveat with the Philadelphia Register of Wills. Doing this would have prevented the distant relative from obtaining Letters Testamentary until you had the chance to review the will and decide if you were going to contest the will.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: After reading the information on your site, I believe my brother used undue influence to get my father to change his will. If I decide to challenge the will, where will the trial be held? How long will the process take?

Where you live, will contests are heard by the judges in the Lehigh County Orphans’ Court, located in Allentown. In many cases, will contest challenges settle before a trial. If the case settles, the parties could agree to terms in a matter of weeks. We’ve even seen family members settle challenges on the courthouse steps minutes before trial.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My husband’s aunt willed him a share of the proceeds of her jewelry, but the executor told us that the money was mine and sent me a check. We looked up the will ourselves at the Gloucester County Surrogate, and it looks like my husband should get more money. The executor will not answer our questions, so what can we do?

As an heir listed in the will, your husband has the legal right to force the executor to account for the estate. New Jersey has a system where the executor, or personal representative, is given a great deal of freedom without official oversight. This system relies on the heirs bringing mismanagement to the Surrogate’s attention.

Our Ask a Question mailbag often includes reader submissions wondering about whether long term care insurance makes financial sense.

As with all insurance policies, long term care coverage works out to be a great deal — if you actually use it. On the other hand, you could argue that you wasted money if you never have to claim your benefits.

Over the years I have had many Gloucester County clients who died without using their long term care insurance benefits. But there have also been clients who fell ill and, without strong policies in place, would have been forced to leave their homes.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my Mother’s estate in Chester County, Pennsylvania. I have advertised the estate and paid all the valid creditors, but a neighbor of my mother has made a claim for a five-figure sum of money that has no validity. Can I make distribution 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, meaning a distribution that may put you personally at risk. Any experienced Chester County probate lawyer should advise you that ignoring your mother’s neighbor could put yourself at risk. Remember, even when your attorney’s asking you to slow down or take a few extra steps, they’re trying to prevent you from causing yourself more problems later on. You might be motivated to close out your duties quickly, but that neighbor could make some major hassles for you—even if their claim’s not valid.