Blog & Resources

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My son is a special needs child in Philadelphia on Medicaid, and I want to leave money at my death for his care. I have heard that Special Needs Trusts are becoming more liberal, is that true?

Special Needs Trusts have been available for many years, allowing parents to leave money for a child’s care that “supplements” but does not “supplant” what government programs provide. In this way, your child can qualify for Medicaid but the trustee can use the money you set aside for your son to provide him with the extra things that the government program does not provide.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My neighbor said that she was going to leave me money in her will. However, after my neighbor’s death, a distant relative of hers filed a will with the Philadelphia County Register of Wills that gave everything to that relative. I think that will is a forgery. Is there a statute of limitations period for me to challenge the will?

Yes. If you had acted before the will was filed, you could have had your Philadelphia Probate Attorney file a caveat with the Philadelphia Register of Wills. Doing this would have prevented the distant relative from obtaining Letters Testamentary until you had the chance to review the will and decide if you were going to contest the will.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My mother transferred her Philadelphia 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 2 years ago, it will not be subject to the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My neighbor promised to give me her Philadelphia house in her will. She died recently and her son, who did not talk to her for 10 years, has filed a Will from the 1970s that gives him everything. Can I challenge that will?

If I understand the facts correctly, your neighbor died and — to the best of your knowledge — her most recent will was the one her son filed with the Philadelphia Register of Wills. That will is very old, but — again, as far as you know — is the most recent Will she signed. Though she verbally promised to give you the house in Philadelphia, she failed to write a new will that backs up your claim.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My grandfather, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died of dementia 12 years ago. Shortly before his death, his will was changed, giving everything to my aunt. We believed that my grandfather died broke. However, now that my aunt died, we found out that he had a joint account with her containing a large sum of money. The prior will states that I would receive one-fourth of his estate. Can I challenge the will?

First, a will challenge case alone based on incapacity or undue influence, even if successful, would not help you. You stated that the funds were in a joint account. A joint account passes outside of probate, meaning the will has no effect on the joint ownership.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: 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 (or if) I become unable to care for myself. Should I keep it in my safe deposit box? We both live in Philadelphia, so she is close by.

Safe deposit boxes work so well because they’re designed to keep people out. The problem with putting your General Power of Attorney in your safe deposit box is that if you become incapacitated, your daughter will likely be unable to get into the box.

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

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Last year, my mother died in Philadelphia and named me as beneficiary of her life insurance. As my children were the contingent beneficiaries, I decided to disclaim the inheritance, and the insurance money passed to my children. I was recently in a car accident. If I am sued can they claim that life insurance money?

No one can force you to take an inheritance. If you properly disclaimed your interest in the life insurance, then you never received it.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am in a long-term, same-sex relationship with my partner. She happens to be much older than I, and I am concerned about the expenses of caring for her as she gets older. Would Long Term Care Insurance be a good option?

I have had clients use Long Term Health Insurance as a useful tool in their estate plan. Clients typically get the best use from this tool when they thoughtfully look ahead to the potential expenses of old age and work closely with their financial advisors. Specifically, I ask clients to examine whether their savings for retirement are adequate to address the costs of an unexpected, serious health problem.

I live in Philadelphia County, and my Will names my two children as co-executors. I thought this was a natural thing to do, but my children have not been getting along recently, what are my options?

Naming your children as co-executors when they do not get along is a bad idea. Co-executors have to work well together and cooperate. Children who are having a dispute can make what is a small family dispute into a family feud that lasts generations.