Blog & Resources

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “My brother was named the executor for my mother’s estate. He has moved into the house and now refuses to answer my calls. What are the grounds for removal of an executor?” Grounds for Removal of an Executor. An Executor is a fiduciary who […]

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “I remarried a wonderful woman with two children. I want to include my step-children in my estate plan.  As an estate lawyer near me Philadelphia, do you have suggestions for Estate Planning with Stepchildren?” Estate Planning with Stepchildren. A second marriage brings unique challenges, […]

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “Reasons to Request a Formal Accounting From a Lehigh County Executor.” What Are Examples of When to Request a Formal Accounting From a Lehigh County Executor: Reasons to Request a Formal Accounting: Suspected Mismanagement of Estate Assets. Mrs. Allentown died leaving a Will which named […]

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “What are Examples of Forcing a Power of Attorney to Account?” Examples of Forcing a Power of Attorney to Account: The executor is Given Unsatisfying Answers. Mr. Blue Bell died with a Will naming his son, Jenkintown, as his executor. During Mr. Blue Bell’s life, […]

From Our “Ask a Question” Mailbag: “What Are Reasons to Request a Formal Accounting From an Executor.” What Are Reasons to Request a Formal Accounting From an Executor: Theft. Mr. Philadephia died with a Will naming his son, Montgomery, as his executor. The Will divides his estate equally between his four […]

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 addresses what to do if the executor refuses to file the Will:

“My sister refuses to file my mother’s Will. She moved into the house and won’t return my calls. What can I do? Should I hire an estate litigator?”

My Dad passed away this month. When he died, I found out that I was still on his Delaware County apartment lease as a cosigner. The lease was signed in 2011. I had moved out in 2013, letting the management company know that I wanted off the lease. When I asked if the management company had anything for me to sign, they replied ‘no’. When I had moved out, my Dad had let his brother, his son and his grandson move in. They are still there and the landlord’s been asking them for money for each day they are there past the end of last month. When my Dad died, I just thought I would be morally obligated to remove my Dad’s property and clean. Instead, I am getting a feeling that the landlord wants to hold me responsible for damages, utilities, and possible future rent. My Dad had nothing and I am a stay at home mom of special needs children.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my father’s estate in Bucks County. My sister and I do not speak, so the process has been terrible. She refuses to sign the family settlement agreement I sent her, and instead has petitioned the Orphans’ Court to make me account. Do I need to respond?

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. I have advertised the estate and paid all the valid creditors. However, a neighbor of my mother has made a claim for $10,000 that has no validity. Can I make distribution without paying him?
The quick answer is yes, but the correct answer is that you should not.