Q: If you are left a specified amount in a will , can the lawyer tell you your going to receive less than was specified .
The specified amount was the same for my 2 siblings and 2 charities . I live in nj but the will is coming from pa
A: There is not enough information in your question to give you a definite answer, but if the total estate is not large enough to pay 100% of the specific bequests to you and your siblings and the charities, then yes you can receive less than 100% of the specific bequest. However, typically all of you that are named beneficiaries of specific bequests would have their bequest reduced by the same amount. Generally, unless something specific in the Will, the executor cannot pick and choose which beneficiary to reduce and which to pay in full.
W. J. Winterstein Jr. agrees with this answer
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