Blog & Resources

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Before she died, my mother-in-law lived in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and I drove from the Jersey Shore every weekend to take care of her. Now that she has died, her estate is being divided up between her children and they refuse to compensate me for all the miles I traveled taking care of their mother. Can I make a claim to be paid?

Your mother-in-law’s estate is to be divided up between the heirs as her will dictates, or through the rules of intestacy if she had no will. Prior to the division of the assets, all her creditors will be paid. If you had no agreement showing that you were to be reimbursed, it will be difficult to prove that you are a creditor.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My father became ill the year before his death. I think that in the confusion his Will was thrown away. What if we can never find my father’s Will?

If you can locate a copy of the will, and if it can be shown that your father did not wish for it to be revoked, then the copy might be accepted. If you cannot even find a copy of the Will, then your father will be deemed to have died without a Will, and his estate can be opened with the Register of Wills as an Administration.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother died late last year a widow survived by my sister and me. Her will named me as executor and divided all assets equally between my sister and me. Right after the funeral, my sister drove to my mother’s house and took all the jewelry and refuses to return any of it. What can I do?

As executor, you have a few options. The right answer will depend on how much conflict you wish to have with your sister. (Although, conflict might be unavoidable at this point.)

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my Father’s estate in Delaware 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.

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: Years ago, I gave my friend a General Durable Power of Attorney. Now I am married, living in Delaware County and want to give Power of Attorney to my spouse. My now-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: I have served as the Executor for my mother’s Delaware County estate for over a year and wish to close the estate, but my brother claims that I have embezzled money from the estate. This is ridiculous, but how can I close the estate while he makes these claims?

It is unfortunate that your brother is making these claims, but there is a forum available to you that will allow you to bring the estate to a close.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbox: My father wants to transfer a rental property he owns in Delaware County into my name. If he does, will this gift avoid Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax?

As a Delaware County resident, at your father’s death, all assets he leaves you at death (except life insurance) will be subject to the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax at the 4.5% children’s rate.

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 (and if) I become unable to care for myself. Should I keep it in my safe deposit box? We both live in Delaware County, so she is close by.

The problem with putting your General Power of Attorney in your safe deposit box is, if you become incapacitated, your daughter will likely be unable to get into the box. If you have died, there is a process to open the box… but it is much more complex if you are alive, but incapacitated.

My Grandmother died three years ago in Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware County Orphans’ Court lawyer file a Petition for Accounting with the Delaware County Orphans’ Court.