The Superior Court has affirmed a summary judgment in favor of the trustee of a perpetual charitable trust, and against the charitable beneficiary, finding that the trustee fees of approximately 28% of the trust income are not “unreasonably out of … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
When a petition for letters is rejected by the Register of Wills and the Orphans’ Court refuses to grant letters, the finding by the court that the petitioner is not entitled to letters is not an appealable order because there … Continue reading
Upon the dissolution of a nonprofit corporation formed to provide firefighting services, application of cy pres doctrine led to distribution of assets to two other firefighting organizations rather than to nonprofit corporations providing training or support services to fire fighters. … Continue reading
Although the incapacitated person was unable to make or communicate medical decisions, and was suffering from stage 5 chronic kidney disease that may ultimately end in death, he did not have an “end-stage medical condition” within the meaning of 20 … Continue reading
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
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