Blog & Resources

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My entire life, I have lived in Camden County, New Jersey. My parents and lived in Camden, and so do I. My father died two years ago, and my mother passed away last week. I was an only child, everything in my mother’s will was left to me, and I am executor. Do I need to probate her will, or open an estate? Her only assets were the family home (valued at $600,000) and her car.

The short answer is: yes, because you cannot transfer the deed without going through probate. In New Jersey, there are only a few cases where there is no need to probate a will.

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: Before she died, my mother-in-law lived in my Montgomery County, Pennsylvania house and required around-the-clock care, which I provided. My husband’s brother and sister did not even visit. Now that she has died, her estate is being divided up between the children and they refuse to compensate me for all the work I did caring for 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 creditors must be paid.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My Dad passed away this month. When he died, I found out that I was still on his Camden 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 every 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. Dad had nothing and I am a stay at home mom of special needs children.

You have mentioned a number of potential issues. First, the only person who has the authority to act for your dad after he has died is the executor of his estate (if he had a will) or the administrator of his estate (if he had no will). It sounds like your dad or his estate owes the landlord some money.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: I am the executor of my Father’s estate in Chester 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. If you have notice of a creditor, you are expected to address the claim.

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: My father died in Bucks County, divorced from my mother and without a will. I have one sister who is younger than me. As the oldest child, the funeral director is billing me! Am I responsible for the bill?

When someone dies, the deceased’s family will typically make arrangements with the funeral director to pay the bill themselves, then get reimbursed by the estate.

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: I am the executor of my Father’s estate in Lehigh 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?

As you’ve guessed, your Father’s death did not end his obligation to pay unpaid bills. By taking on the job of Executor, you gain the power and responsibility to assemble his assets and pay those bills. Compared to other states, Pennsylvania is rather creditor-friendly. If you have notice from a creditor, you are expected to address the claim. That being said, creditors cannot wait forever to make their claim. You trigger a one-year statute of limitations period for claims when you properly advertise the estate.

From our “Ask a Question” mailbag: My entire life, I have lived in Gloucester County, New Jersey. My parents also lived in Gloucester City. My father died two years ago, and my mother passed away last week. I was an only child, everything in my mothers Will was left to me, and I am executor. Do I need to probate her will or open an estate? Her only assets were our family home valued at $600,000 and her car.

The short answer is no, you can not transfer the deed without going through probate. In New Jersey, there are only a few cases where there is no need to probate a will. The two most common situations are:

when a person dies with no individually held assets or
an individual dies with no assets whatsoever.