Blog & Resources

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “Can a Trustee Remove a Beneficiary From a Trust?” Can a Trustee Remove a Beneficiary From a Trust? In general, a Trustee cannot remove a beneficiary from a Trust. However, the Trust language may allow the Trustee to remove a beneficiary or reduce distributions.  […]

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My father at his death gave my brother, and I equal amounts. My brother got life insurance, and I got the house and cash. The Will says the residue pays all taxes. Do we split the New Jersey Estate Tax on life insurance?

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: 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?”

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: The attorney handling my uncle’s Bucks 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?

Addressing your blended family in your estate plan is a good idea. Though you may not wish to treat your step-children the same way you treat your biological children, by at least mentioning them or giving them a small gift you may avoid hurt feelings and potential conflict.

A Will is a legal document that specifies the beneficiaries who are to inherit your assets either outright or in trust. It is a good idea to consider the possibility that any beneficiary that you name in your will might die before you. If so, you can name an alternative beneficiary who will receive the asset.

As of November 6, 2006, the Pennsylvania Uniform Trust Act imposes a duty on trustees to inform trust current beneficiaries about the existence of a trust and the current beneficiaries’ rights to receive certain information on the trust. These notice requirements for Pennsylvania trustees are dependent on specific triggering events*. A current beneficiary is a person at least 18 years old to or for whom income or principal of a trust must be distributed currently or a person at least 25 years old to or for whom income or principal of a trust may, in the trustee’s discretion, be distributed currently.