Daughter and her husband were found to be in a confidential relationship with the decedent because they lived next door to the decedent, had a close relationship with the decedent, the decedent trusted them, and the decedent relied upon them … Continue reading
Category Archives: Opinions
Probate of after-discovered will was properly denied based on evidence of undue influence. Weakened intellect was found in evidence of progressive dementia, and confidential relationship was found in son-proponent’s involvement in the testator’s personal and business affairs. Trustee of inter … Continue reading
Surcharge imposed against trustee for more than $600,000 for “reimbursements” to herself, but surcharge for failure to properly invest funds denied because the testimony of the expert witness was speculative and simplistic and lacked a solid foundation. In addition, punitive … Continue reading
Claims allowed for expenses paid by friends of the decedent (one of whom was a cousin of the decedent) for taxes on property of the decedent, as well as insurance and utilities, for hospice care for the decedent before death, … Continue reading
Executors surcharged for sale of estate property to a son of one executor, for expenses paid to the purchaser of the property for “cleanup” of the property 20 days before the sale, for distributions of automobiles contrary to the provisions … Continue reading
A beneficiary may revoke an assignment of undistributed interests in a spendthrift trust, and so summary judgment on a petition for declaratory relief is appropriate. Middleton Trust, 6 Fid.Rep.3d 1 (O.C. Montg. 2015) (opinion by Murphy, J.) … Continue reading
The Supreme Court has held that the denial of a petition to intervene in a child custody proceeding is a collateral order that is appealable as of right under Pa.R.A.P. 313. K.C. and V.C. v. L.A., 128 A.3d 774, No. 65 … Continue reading
Provision of will directing executor to pay the costs of delivering “such tangible property” expanded the meaning of “personal effects” to include a gift of automobiles, which is consistent with a previous will and a summary of that will prepared … Continue reading
Administrator properly rejected offers of one beneficiary to rent or purchase real estate owned by decedent, and letter from the decedent, which expressed a desire that the beneficiary reside at the property, was not a codicil because it expressed no … Continue reading
Estate’s payment of inheritance on individual retirement accounts was proper when will directed that “all taxes that may be assessed in consequence of my death” be paid “from my residuary as a part of the expense of the administration of … Continue reading