Pennsylvania: How to Recover Surplus Funds After a Tax Sale
Detailed Answer Short summary: When a property is sold at a Pennsylvania tax sale and the sale price exceeds the taxes, interest, penalties and sale costs, the excess money (the “surplus”) does not automatically go to the former owner’s bank account. Pennsylvania law requires the surplus to be held and distributed according to statutory priority. […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: How to Reconsider Letters of Administration and Seek Removal of an Administrator
Getting the Court to Reconsider Letters of Administration and Removing an Administrator in Pennsylvania Quick answer: In Pennsylvania you can ask the court to reconsider or revoke letters of administration and to remove an administrator if you can show cause (for example, fraud, misconduct, failure to perform duties, incapacity, or a procedural defect in the […]
Read article →Challenging an Administrator Closing a Joint Bank Account in Pennsylvania
Detailed Answer Short overview: If someone appointed as the personal representative (administrator) of a decedent’s estate closed a bank account that was jointly held with the decedent without telling heirs, you have several possible responses under Pennsylvania law. Your options depend on how the account was owned (true joint account with right of survivorship, a […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Reviewing and Correcting Missing or Incorrect Probate Filings
Detailed Answer Overview: If you believe probate filings in your father’s estate are missing or contain errors, Pennsylvania law gives interested persons several ways to review the probate record and to ask the court to correct or compel proper filings. The process typically involves (1) obtaining the probate file and related documents from the Register […]
Read article →Pennsylvania Guide to Correcting Probate Paperwork Errors (Wrong Heirs Listed)
Correcting Errors in Pennsylvania Probate Records: What to Do When the Wrong Heirs Are Listed Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice about a specific probate matter in Pennsylvania, consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney. Detailed Answer — […]
Read article →Challenging a Grandparent’s Appointment as Estate Administrator in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Estate Administrator Appointments: A Practical Guide Disclaimer: This is educational information only and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified Pennsylvania attorney about your specific situation before taking action. Detailed answer — what to know and the steps to take If someone (for example, your grandparent) has been named or appointed as the estate […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Challenging an Administrator's Claim to Inherited Real Property
Can I challenge an administrator's claim to ownership of real property I’m entitled to inherit? Short answer: Yes — under Pennsylvania law you can challenge an administrator’s claim that they personally own real property that should be part of an estate. The administrator (also called a personal representative) holds legal title only as a fiduciary […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: Who Receives Surplus Proceeds When an Owner Dies Intestate and Siblings Are Heirs
How surplus proceeds are handled when an owner dies intestate and siblings are among the heirs Detailed answer — how Pennsylvania law treats surplus proceeds when an owner dies without a will and siblings are involved When a property owner in Pennsylvania dies without a will (intestate), the person or entity legally entitled to any […]
Read article →Claiming Surplus Funds After a Foreclosure in Pennsylvania — How to File and What to Expect
FAQ — Claiming surplus funds from a sheriff's sale when the owner has died This article explains, in plain language, the common steps people take in Pennsylvania to claim funds left over after a foreclosure sale when the property owner (for example, your mother) has passed away. This is educational information only and not legal […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Documenting a Repossessed Vehicle When Settling a Loved One’s Estate
Detailed answer Short version: When a loved one’s vehicle has been repossessed, the administrator or executor must collect and record the creditor’s repossession and disposition documents, treat any sale proceeds or outstanding deficiency as part of the decedent’s estate accounting, and include clear entries and attachments in the estate inventory so creditors, beneficiaries, and the […]
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