Objections sustained to claims by executor for care of decedent as contrary to Dead Man’s Act and without sufficient evidence, to claims for funeral expenses without receipts or vouchers sustained, and to attorney’s fees because time some spent in preparation … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
Amendments to inter vivos trust document signed by agent (one of settlor’s daughters) were invalid even though the trust document allowed amendments by agents because the power of attorney did not authorize the agent to amend the trust. The attempted … Continue reading
Civil complaint that “touches on” validity of decedent’s will was dismissed with prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, and not transferred to Orphans’ Court division. Kramer, III v. Mary T. Kramer Estate (No. 1), 9 Fid.Rep.3d 272 (Lycoming C.P. … Continue reading
Court approved sale of real estate under contract with conventional mortgage contingencies despite higher offer of beneficiary because the beneficiary’s offer included more contingencies and might not be completed before a scheduled tax sale of the property. Estate of Ruth … Continue reading
Delays and what the court characterized as “poor judgment” by the trustee in responding to requests for information by the adoptive parents of the minor beneficiary of the trust were not a “serious breach of a fiduciary duty” warranting removal, … Continue reading
The children of the decedent, as intestate heirs, might not have standing to challenge the probate of a will when there is an earlier will that has not been challenged and which provides no benefit to the children. William E. … Continue reading
A setoff will be allowed to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Fund (“MCARE”) allowing it to reduce the amount of damages it owes to the estate by its share of punitive damages payable to … Continue reading
Petitioner failed to show sufficient cause for the court to order the alleged incapacitated person to submit to an independent medical examination, or to produce drug and alcohol treatment records, when the alleged incapacitated person admitted to a history of … Continue reading
Action for personal injuries brought by an estate is untimely, and the statute of limitations will not be extended by a period within which the decedent might not have known that her automobile accident injuries were serious enough to qualify … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has allowed an appeal from the decision of the Superior Court in Passarelli Family Trust, 2019 PA Super 95 (3/28/2019) (en banc), rev’g 7 Fid.Rep.3d 63 (O.C. Chester Co. 2016). The issues listed in the court’s order are: (1) … Continue reading