Appeal from probate denied where testamentary capacity was supported by testimony of attorney who prepared will, subscribing witnesses, and other disinterested parties, and no confidential relationship shown to support allegation of undue influence. Lewis Will, 6 Fid.Rep.3d 123 (O.C. Allegheny … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
Wife continued to be a co-trustee and beneficiary of the husband’s irrevocable trust even after the divorce of the parties where (a) the trust document made no provision for the possibility of divorce, (b) the irrevocable trust was the beneficiary … Continue reading
Nonprofit advocacy organization which was removed as counsel for alleged incapacitated person (“AIP”), but allowed to participate in guardianship proceedings as amicus curae while the AIP was represented by court-appointed counsel, should not have standing to appeal adjudication of incapacity. … Continue reading
When residence owned as joint tenants with right of survivorship was destroyed by fire before the death of one tenant, proceeds of property insurance are divided between the estate of the deceased tenant and the surviving tenant. Miscella Estate, 6 … Continue reading
A nephew has no cause of action for “loss of consortium and the los[s] of support, cooperation, aid, companionship and loving interactive relationship” with aunt and uncle alleging resulting from their mistreatment. Scott T. Young v. Estate of Frank J. … Continue reading
A beneficiary with the right to reside in a residence, but not a life estate, is nevertheless obligated to pay for repairs and maintenance of the property, notwithstanding a premarital agreement which put those obligations on the decedent because the … Continue reading
The separation of the spouses, together with the extramarital affairs of both spouses, was sufficient to establish that the surviving spouse had “willfully and maliciously deserted” the deceased spouse and had forfeited an intestate share in accordance with 20 Pa.C.S. … Continue reading
An order authorizing the sale of real estate was not appealable under Pa.R.A.P. 342 because the objecting beneficiaries had no interest in the real estate, and was not an appealable collateral order under Pa.R.A.P. 313 because the objecting beneficiaries had … Continue reading
A plea of nolo contendere, followed by sentencing, was a “conviction” within the meaning of the Slayer’s Act, and so summary judgment against the convicted slayer was appropriate. Abbott Estate, 6 Fid.Rep.3d 80 (O.C. Butler 2015), aff’d, Nos. 1071 and … Continue reading
Judgment creditor of beneficiary of spendthrift trust could not attach trust assets and could not require distribution of beneficiary’s right to withdraw contributions to the trust because the right was not a “power of withdrawal” as defined by 20 Pa.C.S.A. … Continue reading