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I am an administrator of my mother’s Delaware County estate. She died 4 years ago in a car accident without a Will, unmarried and survived by my nephew and myself. My brother died before my mother, and my brother had one son, my nephew. I opened up her estate with the Register of Wills in Delaware County. Later, I hired a lawyer to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the man who ran into my mother. That lawsuit is about to be settled, and my attorney is asking me to approve that settlement. The funds are to be divided 90% Wrongful Death and 10% Survival Action. Is this fair to my nephew, and as administrator, do I have a duty to pursue a different mix?

This is an issue you should certainly be concerned about.

Pennsylvania estate executors and administrators – known broadly as personal representatives, typically take the same first step when called to administer an estate. They research and find an experienced probate attorney to guide them through the process and establish that attorney’s fees. Why is hiring a probate attorney essential?

My Grandmother died three years ago in Montgomery County, leaving me a lump sum in her Will. The house is sold, 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 Montgomery County estate, you do have the right to force the Executor to provide you with a time line when you will receive your inheritance. If the executor will not give you one voluntarily, you can have your Montgomery County Orphans’ Court lawyer file a Petition for Accounting with the Montgomery County Orphans’ Court.

My father, a Camden County, New Jersey resident, is planning to leave me an inheritance in his Will. I have substantial creditor problems. If my father dies, can I disclaim my inheritance so it passes to my children?

In New Jersey, a disclaimer is an heir’s legal refusal to accept a gift or a bequest. In other words, you can’t force someone to accept a gift. If a Will names someone an heir or if a life insurance policy names a beneficiary, that heir or beneficiary cannot be “forced” to accept the gift.

Dying in New York is about to become significantly cheaper. New legislation has been enacted to increase the New York estate tax exemption over the next 5 years. Although most people never think about State estate taxes, for most estates they outweigh any potential Federal tax owed.

As the executor of an estate in Burlington County, NJ, your expenses incurred in handling the estate are reimbursed from the estate assets. Typical examples are filing fees, parking fees, and money that you pay to have the estate assets secured or cleaned. You are also reimbursed for reasonable travel costs that were incurred only because of the estate.

Not all family and friends are perfect. And in some cases, they can be downright malevolent. Ensuring family members and loved ones are not unfairly left out of a decedent’s Will is a common concern.

Modern medicine has vastly increased the average lifespan. Sadly, science has not solved every problem, and one in three seniors die with Alzheimer’s or dementia. These diseases affect a person’s judgment, memory and cognitive functions. Often reaching the point where a patient may completely lose capacity to develop or revise their estate plan.

My mother transferred her Montgomery County home to me two years ago. She recently died. I am going to sell the house soon, but do I have to pay Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax?

Not in your case. The Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax of 4.5% applies to transfers to children at death, and includes all gifts made within one year of the date of death. If the house was transferred properly into your name two years ago, it will not be subject to the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.

I am a New Jersey resident. Now that I have married my partner, I would like to give her a General Durable Power of Attorney, but am concerned about surrendering so much power over my assets. I have heard stories about spouses abusing Powers of Attorney. How can I protect myself?

A general, durable power of attorney is a key part of any estate plan. A Will covers what happens to your assets if you have died, but the durable power of attorney is meant to cover the time when you are alive yet unable to handle your own financial affairs. The problem that exists, and of which you speak, is that if you give your Agent the power of attorney document, they have the power to withdraw from your bank accounts, sell real estate and gather your tax information.

I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Montgomery County, 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.