Pursuant to PA law, the opening of an Estate must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the probate is pending. Creditors of the deceased or estate have one year from date of first publication to file a claim for payment. If the executrix distributes Estate... View More

If the current two-brother deed is held as joint tenants with right of survivorship, the filing of a Certificate of Death of one brother with Registrar of Deeds should give surviving brother a clean (and insurable) right to the whole of the property. At that point, the sole owner (surviving... View More

although you state that your name is on the account, you can be on account as Power of Attorney or authorized signer (Which both expired when your mother passed away), in which case you may have to open an Estate administration to get control of the funds and open an Estate account (depends on how... View More

To do the things you want (you do not state the amount involved), you can initiate a probate (to pay estate bills, and PA tax on distributions to you is five percent) if there was a Will, or an Administration if there was no Will.

I've represented financial institutions for decades,... View More

If there was a Will, it probably should be submitted to the probate court (you don't mention a Will, or whether the property was in your mom's name alone, or some other way).

If probated, the personal representative named in it would probably be appointed by the Court.... View More

James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 21, 2024

Based on the information provided, here's my analysis and advice:

1. Timeline:

- Original praecipe for summons: November 7, 2023

- Reissue of writ of summons: June 10, 2024 (served on June 20, 2024)

- No complaint filed yet

2. Legal situation:

-... View More

My experience with insurance companies is that 1) they usually hope to delay payments out as long as possible, though they demand immediate payment of premiums, and 2) the quickest way to get payment if for a beneficiary to give them what they want (they have armies of lawyers on the payroll.... View More

Heirs' rights?

Yes, you actually do have many. The best starting point is duties of an Executrix in PA, which are many, but the overriding drive is that every personal representative of a probate estate is to maximize the value of the Estate for the benefit of creditors and the heirs,... View More

Who is on the deed to the residence? Look at the most recent deed of record, the chain of title. Life estates? You can have a title search done for both ownership and all liens, and you should do that, as the personal rep of the Estate. If the Estate has a lawyer, that probate lawyer will know... View More

James L. Arrasmith Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 23, 2024

In the absence of a designated beneficiary form for a 401(k) plan, the distribution of the funds will typically follow the plan's default provisions and legal regulations. Generally, the spouse of the deceased individual is considered the primary beneficiary by default in many cases,... View More

Pursuant to New Jersey statutory law, S.A, 3B:3-2B, a holographic Will, e.g., one handwritten by the decedent, even unsigned (the handwriting of the decedent of the context of the Will may be good enough), can be admitted to probate in NJ, regardless of the location of its drafting. But there are... View More

Admitting a Will and having a named personal representative (Executor/Executrix) appointed is a pretty simple matter, in most cases, although a personal appearance by the personal representative at the Probate Clerk's office is usually required, to be sworn in.

That can happen where... View More

Whatever is "normal" is governed, and overridden, by a probated Last Will, with its description of powers of the personal representative/Executor.

The appointed pers rep is charged to ensure that any actions of the Estate work to maximize the distribution to the beneficiaries.... View More

Determination of legal heirs where there is no Will is provided in the PA statutes.

Your PA probate attorney has this answer at his fingertips.

While it does seem that the brother's children would anxious to prove their entitlement to shares of his estate, it is best to give... View More

Probate court rules can vary from county to county, but in your situation, a "family agreement", which usually deals with matters of both distribution and procedures, would be a good place to provide that you are to be the personal representative and that you are to serve without bond... View More

In PA, the "estate tax" is levied upon the fair market value of the benefit distributed. Usually, the Will provides that the Estate will pay all debts, and that includes the tax on bequests. Once paid, the distributed benefit gets the "stepped up basis" to its fair market... View More

Anthony M. Avery Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 5, 2024

You will need to hire a PR attorney to represent you all.

This issue, and your questions, should be addressed to your probate attorney.

In PA, every personal representative, whether executor named in a probated will or and administrator, both appointed, and entrusted, by the court, is required to file an Inventory of all estate assets. That... View More

with life insurance policies if there are no named beneficiaries the policy proceeds will be payable to your father's Estate. If your father had a Will, then the Executor named in the Will can probate the Will, open an Estate and then collect the proceeds from the insurance company. If your... View More

It is fairly simple to renounce your right to administer an estate in Pennsylvania. You fill out form Orphans Court Form RW-06 (you can download it) including filling in who is agreeing to administer the estate in your place. You have to sign the form in the presence of a notary. You give the... View More