Blog & Resources

My husband died recently a resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We had a house owned as tenants in the entireties. I wish to remove his name from the deed, how can I do this?

In Bucks County, there is generally no need to remove your Husband’s name from the Deed upon his death. In your situation, as tenants by the entirety, when you choose to sell the house, you can simply provide his death certificate and have his name removed when the new deed is filed.

My father wants to transfer a rental property he owns in Bucks into my name. If he does, will this gift avoid Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax?

As a Bucks 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 am the Executor of a Philadelphia estate and wish to distribute my mother’s house from the estate and into my name. What is the filing fee for that transfer?

In Philadelphia County, the filing fee for an Executor transferring a deed is subject to the Deed provisions of PA Acts 113 and 126. Currently, the fee for filing the deed, which distributes the house from your Mother’s estate into your own name, is $252.00.

Direct estate administration questions lead to simple answers in some states, but require thoughtful analysis and create uncertainty in others. Klenk Law provides clarity on three frequently asked questions in Pennsylvania estate administration: Executor, Administrator and Personal Representative compensation.

I am the co-executor of my Mother’s Chester County, Pennsylvania estate, along with her attorney. What fee can he charge?

First, if your Mother’s attorney is serving as the executor and will also be providing your mother’s estate legal services in Chester County, the attorney should not be charging both an executor’s fee and a fee for legal services based solely on a percentage of the estate.

I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Chester 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.

I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Bucks 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.

My Mother transferred her Chester County home to me two years ago and has 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 2 years ago, it will not be subject to the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.

My Grandmother died three years ago in Bucks 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 Bucks County estate, you do have the right to force the Executor to provide you with a time line when you will receive your inheritance.

With the New Year comes a new law. The Pennsylvania Legislature has announced Act 95, which aims to provide greater protection for those granting a power of attorney.