Columbia and Montour Counties have published new local rules, including rules for Orphans’ Court Actions (accounts, auditors, adoptions, and appointments of guardians). Business of the Courts, Case No. 2014-MV-1, 44 Pa.B. 6750 (10/25/2014). … Continue reading
Daniel Evans
The Superior Court has affirmed a decree of the Philadelphia Orphans’ Court denying the validity of attempted appointments of a successor trustee (or, in the alternative, removing the successor trustee appointed) by the resigning trustee and by the settlor, and … Continue reading
The IRS has issued five identical private letter rulings, apparently to five different parties involved in the same transaction, confirming that a court-approved reformation of a trust in accordance with § 415 of the Uniform Trust Code would be respected … Continue reading
Both houses of the legislature have passed SB 428, which makes changes to Pennsylvania laws on pooled trusts for persons with disabilities. … Continue reading
A beneficiary’s court-ordered child support arrearage should be paid from the estate, notwithstanding the spendthift clause in the will, and the children’s mother had no standing to object to the administration of the estate or seek removal of the executor. … Continue reading
Westmoreland County has issued a new general order directing the redaction of Social Security numbers from documents made available to the public by the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court. Publication of Social Security Numbers; No. 3 … Continue reading
Lawrence County has republished its fees for the Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, originally effective 1/3/2012, with increases in the Judicial Computer Project (JCP) fee to be effective on 7/10/2014 and 8/8/2014. Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts’; Administrative Order No. … Continue reading
Judge Herron of the Philadelphia Orphans’ Court has denied approval of a nonjudicial settlement agreement, stating that: “The intent of this section [7710.1] is to give all beneficiaries and trustees flexibility in the administration of certain trust matters. Seeking court … Continue reading
Auditor’s report was affirmed, and objections dismissed, that (a) approved the trustees’ liquidation of some family businesses, notwithstanding precatory language expressing desire that businesses continue under the management and control of testator’s immediate family, (b) relied upon previous findings of … Continue reading
Petitioner presented sufficient evidence to show reasonable cause to believe that genetic testing would assist in a determination of paternity, and expert testimony to establish that exhumation of the decedent would provide viable tissue samples for DNA testing. Fox Estate, … Continue reading