A sale of real property that had been specifically devised was approved when the estate was otherwise without sufficient funds to pay debts and expenses, and the offer made by the devisee was “woefully inadequate” compared to the price under … Continue reading
Daniel Evans
It was not an abuse of discretion for the Orphans’ Court to deny a petition for counsel fees from the petitioners and guardians of the alleged incapacitated person when there was no evidence presented as to the ability of the … Continue reading
It was not an abuse of discretion for the Orphans’ Court to deny two post-hearing motions that sought to add documents to the record, and to request a new evaluation of the incapacitated person, when the issues being addressed by … Continue reading
Lease signed by agent for trustees as owners of the property was invalid because the power of attorney did not have the notice required by 20 Pa.C.S. § 5601(c) or the acknowledgement of the agent required by 20 Pa.C.S. § … Continue reading
The petitioner alleged that the decedent had entered into a contract with her husband not to change their wills, but the lawyer who was alleged to have written the contract had no record or recollection of preparing the contract, the … Continue reading
Lehigh County has published a new schedule of fees for the Register of Wills. “Clerk of Judicial Records—Register of Wills Division Fee Schedule; Case No. 2025-J-0110” (9/18/2025), 55 Pa.B. 7237 (10/18/2025). … Continue reading
The Internal Revenue Service has released Rev. Proc. 2025-32, 2025-44 I.R.B. ____ (10/27/2025), with inflation adjustments for 2026 (sooner that inflation adjustments are usually published), and the significant federal estate tax and trust planning numbers previously published were correct. Those … Continue reading
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) has issued an “exemptive relief order” delaying the effective date of the residential real estate transaction reporting regulations (31 C.F.R. § 1031.320 et seq.) to March 1, 2026. “Exemptive Relief Order to Delay the … Continue reading
The trustees of a trust for the lifetime benefit of the decedent made discretionary distributions to the decedent for which the decedent signed agreements indemnifying the trustees. Following the death of the decedent, the remainder beneficiaries sued the trustees, and … Continue reading
An intestate heir has standing to challenge the validity of a will that has been admitted to probate if in his petition he alleges a “realistic probability” that a will that was executed one year before and that also disinherits … Continue reading