Blog & Resources

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I have signed a General Power of Attorney giving my daughter the power to act for me, but I don’t want her to have it yet. I only want her to have it when (or if) I become unable to care for myself. Should I keep it in my safe deposit box? We both live in Philadelphia, so she is close by.

Safe deposit boxes work so well because they’re designed to keep people out. The problem with putting your General Power of Attorney in your safe deposit box is that if you become incapacitated, your daughter will likely be unable to get into the box.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: The attorney handling my uncle’s Lehigh County estate mailed me a Receipt, Release, Refunding and Indemnification Agreement. There are 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 husband’s aunt willed him a share of the proceeds on the sale 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 Atlantic County Surrogate, and it looks like my husband should get more money. The executor will not answer our questions. 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. Even though the money landed in your household, there could be plenty of reasons for you to insist that the cash is properly accounted for.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother named me her Agent under her Gloucester 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 Gloucester County Surrogate’s 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 to object.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Years ago, I gave my friend a General Durable Power of Attorney. Now I am married, living in Lehigh County and want to give Power of Attorney to my spouse. My former friend will not give me the old Power of Attorney. Can I revoke or void the Power of Attorney if he still has the original?

Yes, you can void a Power of Attorney at any time as long as you have the requisite mental capacity.

Your situation will be a little more complex, as you have given the original document to your former Agent. I have not seen that Power of Attorney, but it may have a paragraph that states that banks and others need not confirm with you that the document is still in power.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My Grandfather, a resident of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, died of dementia 12 years ago. Shortly before his death, his will was changed giving everything to my aunt. We believed that my grandfather died broke, but now that my aunt died we found out that he had a joint account with her containing a large sum of money. The prior will states that I would receive one-fourth of his estate. Can I challenge the will?

First, a will challenge case alone based on incapacity or undue influence, even if successful, would not help you. You stated that the funds were in a joint account. A joint account passes outside of probate, meaning the will has no effect on the joint ownership.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have sold the real estate, liquidated all the assets, and am ready to distribute, but my sister will not give me a release of liability. What can I do?

You are right to be concerned.

Prior to making distributions from the estate, you should insist on getting a release of liability. This is typically done informally by using what is broadly referred to as a Family Settlement Agreement.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Last year, my mother died in Philadelphia and named me as beneficiary of her life insurance. As my children were the contingent beneficiaries, I decided to disclaim the inheritance, and the insurance money passed to my children. I was recently in a car accident. If I am sued can they claim that life insurance money?

No one can force you to take an inheritance. If you properly disclaimed your interest in the life insurance, then you never received it.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am in a long-term, same-sex relationship with my partner. She happens to be much older than I, and I am concerned about the expenses of caring for her as she gets older. Would Long Term Care Insurance be a good option?

I have had clients use Long Term Health Insurance as a useful tool in their estate plan. Clients typically get the best use from this tool when they thoughtfully look ahead to the potential expenses of old age and work closely with their financial advisors. Specifically, I ask clients to examine whether their savings for retirement are adequate to address the costs of an unexpected, serious health problem.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My Grandmother died three years ago in Lehigh County leaving me a lump sum in her Will. The house is sold and the taxes are paid, but I have not received my inheritance. The executor will not return my calls, what can I do?

As the heir of a Lehigh estate, you have the right to force the executor to provide you with a timeline for when you will receive your inheritance. If the executor will not give you one voluntarily, you can have your Lehigh County Orphans’ Court lawyer file a Petition for Accounting with the court. The executor must reply, or face potential removal and surcharge.