The Orphans’ Court had the power to set aside a conveyance of real estate by the executor after his removal from office as a remedy for self-dealing, and not a surcharge, and under the doctrine of “the law of the … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
Wife in divorce action died on the same day the decree of divorce was entered, and the family court later issued a final order for the equitable division of marital property. The family court, and not the Orphans’ Court, had … Continue reading
By distributing some trusts years before and adding the assets of those trusts to other trusts, the trustee waived claims for commissions payable from those trusts, as well as attorneys’ fees incurred later. The trustee also failed to provide clear … Continue reading
Petition for temporary injunction against the funeral and burial of the decedent’s father was denied for lack of jurisdiction when the decedent did not reside in Pennsylvania and was to be buried in another county, the only connection to Montgomery … Continue reading
The Superior Court has affirmed the dismissal of a petition to remove a corporate trustee, finding that the allegations of the petition were not grounds for removal under 20 Pa.C.S. § 7766(b). Specifically, neither changes in staffing by the trustee, … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has reversed decisions of the Superior Court and Orphans’ Court and held that a trust modification with the consent of the settlor under 20 Pa.C.S. §7740.1(a) may change the provisions of a trust relating to the appointment … Continue reading
Trustee was not in contempt for preparing and filing an account that did not comply with the Rules of Orphans’ Court Procedure, but a surcharge was imposed “to uphold the authority of the Court,” although the fees of the CPA … Continue reading
The settlor of an irrevocable trust, who retained no interests in the trust, did not have standing to participate in proceedings regarding the account filed by, and possible removal of, the trustee, and the decision upholding preliminary objections to dismiss … Continue reading
Provision of will directing that the shares of beneficiaries receiving governmental “need-based benefits” shall instead be paid to any existing “special needs trust” for the beneficiary or, if there is no trust, the share shall lapse and be distributed as … Continue reading
Orphans’ Court had jurisdiction to clarify its own order despite lapse of time, and had jurisdiction over retirement funds which had been liquidated, and so its order enforcing settlement of estate and distribution of retirement funds was affirmed, along with … Continue reading