Blog & Resources

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: How Does An Executor Recover Stolen Property? “My father was an avid hunter and assembled an impressive gun collection. I am the executor of his Will, and he divided the collection between my sister and myself. During his funeral, my sister left the funeral, drove […]

Our “Ask a Question” mailbag addresses what happens when a sibling dies without a Will in New Jersey.

“My sister died in New Jersey without a will. Our parents are dead, and she never married or had children. Our dad had a daughter out of wedlock when he was very young. It was something that the family didn’t speak of, and we only saw her once in our lives. If a sibling dies without a Will in New Jersey, does a half-sibling receive a share?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “I have a contract to purchase my neighbor’s land. Before I could complete the process, he died. Now the family refuses to open the estate and sign the deed over to me. Is there a method for enforcing a land contract against a deceased owner?

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My father died recently in Burlington County, New Jersey. The executor told me that my dad set up a Trust Under Will for me. What is a Trust Under Will?”

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My father died recently, and I am the executor. I will file his Will next week. But my siblings have already contacted the life insurance company to collect the life insurance. Can they receive the life insurance before I file the Will? Is collecting life insurance before filing the Will proper?”

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?

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag:” Do I pay probate fees on real property located outside of Pennsylvania? Do I even list it on the Register of Wills’ Inventory? I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Philadelphia. She died owning a New Jersey shore home. Do I list this on the Philadelphia Register of Wills’ Inventory and then pay a probate fee?

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: “My Uncle died 4 months ago in Burlington County, New Jersey. I am in the Will. How long does it take to get an Inheritance?”

The time it takes to get an inheritance can vary widely between estates in New Jersey. Many factors that can impact a Personal Representative. The concern I have is that the Personal Representative is not adequately communicating his or her plan of action. An Executor or Personal Representative should clearly communicate to you an estimate of when you are receiving your inheritance.

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: My father remarried and then recently died, how do I locate the Will? I’ve tried to get His wife to produce his will but she will not respond to my calls, he lived in in Bucks County.