The proponent of a photocopy of a will failed to prove that the contents of the photocopy were substantially the same as the missing original. In re: Estate of John Brumbaugh, 2017 PA Super 287 (9/6/2017). … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
A trust may not be distributed in a manner that is inconsistent with a family settlement agreement approved by a decree of the Orphans’ Court more than 5 years before, so the court may deny the issuance of a citation, … Continue reading
The gift tax that is paid after death for net gifts made in the year of death is included in the gross estate under IRC section 2035 and the estate is not entitled to any deduction for the gift tax … Continue reading
Pennsylvania’s filial support law (23 Pa.C.S. § 4603) did not apply to the New Jersey parents of an adult indigent son who was provided care in Pennsylvania. Melmark, Inc. v. Schutt, 169 A.3d 638, 2017 PA Super 272 (8/21/2017), rev’d, … Continue reading
It is a violation of due process for a state to refuse to put the name of the wife of a birth mother on a birth certificate if the state would put the name of a husband on a birth … Continue reading
Evidence that decedent believed he had provided for his daughters during his lifetime, that decedent did not contact his attorney about preparing a new will or speak to any other attorney about a new will, and that the decedent had … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has held that that 20 Pa.S.C. § 7766 is the exclusive method for removing a trustee, and that a trust cannot be modified under § 7740.1 to allow the beneficiaries to remove and replace the trustee. Trust … Continue reading
The successor agent did not have the power to bind the principal to an arbitration agreement when there was no showing that the initial agent named in the power of attorney was “unwilling or unable to act” as attorney-in-fact for … Continue reading
When a parent sets up a bank account in the names of herself and her two children, the surviving child becomes the sole owner of the account following the death of the parent and (four days later) the death of … Continue reading
The conclusion of the Orphans’ Court that there was a “reasonable probability” that a mother will be able to remedy conditions and regain custody of children was not supported by the record and ignored the requirements of the Adoption Act … Continue reading