Pennsylvania — Forcing Return of Sentimental Items from a Sibling During Probate
Detailed Answer If a sibling has taken or refuses to return sentimental items that belonged to a deceased person while the estate is in probate in Pennsylvania, you may have legal options to recover those items. The right remedy depends on who actually owns the items (the decedent, the sibling, or both), whether the decedent […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Enforcing or Disputing an Oral Agreement to Divide Wrongful-Death Proceeds
Detailed answer — How to enforce or dispute an oral agreement dividing wrongful-death proceeds in Pennsylvania This answer explains, in straightforward steps, how Pennsylvania law treats oral agreements about splitting wrongful-death proceeds and what to do if you want to enforce or dispute one. This is general information only and not legal advice; consult a […]
Read article →Do Pennsylvania Administrators Have to Post a Bond for Intestate Estates?
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Pennsylvania, the court or the register of wills will generally require a fiduciary bond (security) from an administrator appointed for an intestate (no‑will) estate unless the court approves a waiver. Heirs and interested parties can often agree to waive bond, but the waiver must follow the court’s rules and be […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: Selling an Estate House Facing Foreclosure When a Co-Administrator Refuses to Sign
If you are an executor, administrator, heir, or potential buyer involved with a decedent’s house that faces foreclosure and one co-administrator refuses to sign sale papers, this FAQ-style guide explains practical steps under Pennsylvania law, likely court remedies, and what documents and decisions matter. This is educational only and not legal advice; consult a Pennsylvania […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: How to Get Court Approval to Release Estate Funds When Beneficiaries Disagree
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. This article explains how the process commonly works in Pennsylvania so you know what to expect and what to ask a qualified Pennsylvania attorney or the court. Detailed Answer If you are the personal representative (executor or administrator) or an interested person in […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Does leftover money from a sold parental home get distributed under my dad’s will?
Detailed Answer — How sale proceeds from a deceased person’s house are handled in Pennsylvania Short answer: If the house is part of your father’s probate estate (for example, it was titled only in his name), sale proceeds first pay funeral costs, estate administration costs, taxes, mortgages, and other creditor claims. Any money left after […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Reimbursing Yourself for Paying a Decedent’s Vehicle Lien
Can you be reimbursed from an estate for paying a decedent’s vehicle lien? Short answer: Possibly — but reimbursement depends on whether you are the estate’s personal representative (executor/administrator), whether the payment was a necessary and proper estate expense, whether the estate has funds, and whether the payment was authorized or later approved by the […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — How Estate Funds Are Distributed to Children After Debts and Taxes Are Paid
Detailed Answer This article explains how a personal representative (executor or administrator) in Pennsylvania completes final distribution of estate funds to the decedent’s children once taxes, creditor claims, and valid estate expenses are paid. It covers the typical steps, legal checkpoints, and practical issues that affect timing and amounts. Who handles the distribution? The person […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: Do administrators have to post a bond for an intestate estate, and can it be waived?
What Pennsylvania law says about administrator bonds and when courts will waive them Detailed Answer When someone dies without a will (intestate) and a court appoints an administrator to manage the estate, Pennsylvania law generally requires a bond (sometimes called a fiduciary bond or administration bond). The bond protects the estate, its creditors, and the […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: Factors Courts Consider When Appointing an Estate Administrator
Detailed Answer This section explains what Pennsylvania courts typically look at when appointing someone to administer a decedent’s estate. The rules combine statutory priorities set by Pennsylvania law and the court’s practical judgment about a person’s fitness and availability. Legal framework Pennsylvania law governs appointment and priority for personal representatives (often called administrators when a […]
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