In a will contest for undue influence, discovery of estate planning documents from lawyer for testator is allowable under the testamentary exception to the attorney-client privilege. Cohen Estate, 3 Fid. Rep. 3d 145 (O.C. Bucks 2012) (Opinion of Gilman, J.) … Continue reading
Daniel Evans
A confidential report alleging that an individual in her eighties was the subject of financial mismanagement and abuse triggered a confidential investigation under the Older Adults Protective Services Act, to which the elder individual stymied, stonewalled, or ignored, leading to … Continue reading
A trust, providing outright distributions to two beneficiaries, income distributions to three more beneficiaries for life, and three charities as remaindermen, cannot be terminated with the consent of all beneficiaries under 20 Pa. C.S.A. § 7740.1 , because the trust … Continue reading
Upon remand from Superior Court, trial court corrected its decree concerning attorney fees paid to prevent removal and held that both former executors jointly and severally are liable for the amount surcharged. Rappaport Estate, 3 Fid.Rep.3d 115 (O.C. Bucks 2012) … Continue reading
Co-executors failed to account and $765,000 was missing from estate; the court surcharged both executors severally and jointly liable for commission fees, counsel fees, and missing funds. Loher Estate, 3 Fid. Rep. 3d 71 (O.C. Chester 2012) … Continue reading
Co-executor not protected by laches from liability for the other co-executor’s actions because no account was confirmed, neither petitioned for permission to resign, the time that passed was not unreasonable, and the co-executor was not prejudiced by delay. Loher Estate … Continue reading
Petition by counsel for administrator seeking return of payment to Department of Public Welfare denied for “unclean hands” when previous petitions were deceptive and for lack of express authority. Robles Estate, 3 Fid. Rep. 3d 81 (O.C. Philadelphia 2012) … Continue reading
Decedent had promised a large portion of estate to a college, but probated will only left 10%; college petitioned court to allow discovery of all prior wills, and the court granted the motion, so the college had standing in a … Continue reading
Co-executor who occupied decedent’s home without payment of rent, and who ignored several court orders, was ordered to vacate the home, the court finding that equitable relief should be denied for “unclean hands” and laches. Clouser Estate, 3 Fid.Rep.3d 94 … Continue reading
Inheritance tax on non-estate assets should not have been paid from the estate when the decedent died intestate. The inheritance tax on non-estate assets should be calculated without regard to deductions unless it can be shown that the transferees of … Continue reading