Downingtown, PA asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio

Q: Can a Poa legally give away possessions, so that there is nothing left in estate for beneficiaries?

My sister is POA and executrix for step father. She is estranged from me and my other sister due to her mistreatment of our step father. All three of us are equal beneficiaries in will, however, she gave away his possessions before he died, so nothing has to be shared with us. Is that legal? We had good relationship with her until the last 12-14 months. But it is common knowledge that she hates us simply because we questioned some of her decisions.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer

A: A person acting as agent under POA has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the person who granted the POA, and not to their own personal advantage or disadvantage of others. The same for an executor of a will. An action can be filed in probate court to hold the agent or executor accountable. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local probate attorney to review all the facts and advise of your options.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.