Philadelphia, PA asked in Probate for Pennsylvania

Q: I am the beneficiary to a very friend who passed away Wednesday. His daughter keeps calling me about his personal

Property and his bank account. He just met his daughter 2 yrs ago. There was no will but there was an oral agreement to how things were to be handled and I have many witnesses who can verify his wishes. Do they legally have a right obtain his property when I am his beneficiary

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1 Lawyer Answer
Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Wyomissing, PA
  • Licensed in Pennsylvania

A: Your oral agreement isn't worth much if she's the daughter. Both of you should contact estate attorneys but chances are an estate may have to be opened if you don't agree. Pennsylvania doesn't have "oral wills"--nor does any state. Even a handwritten letter signed by him-=-called a "holographic will" isn't favored. He died intestate, his kids are the beneficiaries regardless of closeness or not. Yoiu are at best in the position of a "common law" wife--which means that in Pennsylvania, you get nothing. Sorry.

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