Although the decedent’s spouse had a confidential relationship with the decedent through her increasing control over the decedent’s business affairs, there was insufficient evidence of a weakened intellect and so the claims of undue influence over two lifetime transactions was … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
Accounts of estate and inter vivos trust (funded by estate) were filed together, and executor and trustee was denied commissions for failure to administer estate and trust in timely fashion, objections to miscellaneous expenses were sustained for failure to substantiate … Continue reading
Following the removal of one co-trustee of a testamentary trust, the other co-trustee was also removed, and an independent trustee appointed, where the two trustees were also the primary beneficiaries of the trust, were currently litigating conflicting claims to trust … Continue reading
There was sufficient independent corroborating evidence of donative intent but insufficient evidence of delivery of the alleged gifts by the decedent, and so the donee was barred from testifying by the Dead Man’s Act. Benson Estate, 12 Fid.Rep.3d 229 (Lycoming … Continue reading
Absent fraud or duress, a spousal election against a will (or an election to take under the will) becomes irrevocable at the end of the six month period allowed by 20 Pa.C.S. § 2210(b) and may not be revoked merely … Continue reading
A direction in a will that a beneficiary should have the right to receive the decedent’s residence as part of her one third share of the estate or purchase the house at fair market value did not give the beneficiary … Continue reading
An agent’s deposit of a refund check payable to the principal into a bank account in the joint names of the principal and agent was an act of self-dealing and a breach of fiduciary duty by the agent because she … Continue reading
A right of first refusal granted to daughter and her husband by her father’s will was exercisable by daughter alone after her divorce from her husband when an offer to purchase the property was received by the executors more than … Continue reading
The Superior Court has followed the plurality opinion in In re Estate of McAleer, 248 A.3d 416 (Pa. 2021), and held that the “fiduciary exception” to the attorney-client privilege and attorney work product doctrine is not contrary to the law … Continue reading
Decedent gave instructions to attorney for the preparation of a will, but she died in the hospital without signing the will because COVID-19 protocols prevented her attorney or others from delivering the will to her for her signature, and so … Continue reading