Transferring a Parent’s House After an Intestate Death in Pennsylvania
Detailed Answer When a parent dies without a will in Pennsylvania, the estate is "intestate." That means state law — not the decedent's wishes — determines who inherits the house. The process to get the property into you and your siblings' names usually requires opening a probate (estate) case, identifying heirs, settling debts and taxes, […]
Read article →How to Take Over a Deceased Parent’s Mortgage in Pennsylvania
Can I take over my deceased parent’s mortgage in Pennsylvania? — FAQ Short answer Yes — often you can keep the house and its mortgage after a parent dies, but the exact steps depend on how title is held, whether the loan allows assumption, and whether the estate has other debts. You usually must: (1) […]
Read article →Proving Paternity for Inheritance in Pennsylvania: What to Do When Dad’s Name Isn’t on Your Birth Certificate
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article explains general Pennsylvania law and common steps people use to prove parentage for inheritance. It is educational only and is not legal advice. Consult a Pennsylvania attorney about your specific situation. Detailed Answer — How to prove you are your father's child for inheritance in Pennsylvania If […]
Read article →How to Protect an Inheritance from a Will Contest in Pennsylvania
Protecting an Inheritance When a Family Member Might Contest an Estate — Pennsylvania FAQ Short answer: Under Pennsylvania law, you can lower the risk that a family member will successfully contest an inheritance by careful estate planning (clear beneficiary designations, trusts, joint ownership where appropriate, or irrevocable transfers), by documenting capacity and intent, and by […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Pennsylvania
Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Pennsylvania Short answer: When you open probate in Pennsylvania you must give notice to the people who have a legal interest in the estate — commonly the personal representative named in the will, beneficiaries (devisees and legatees), heirs at law (next of kin), and known creditors. Methods and timing […]
Read article →Selling a Deceased Parent’s Home with a Reverse Mortgage in Pennsylvania
How to sell a father’s house in Pennsylvania when the reverse mortgage lender keeps requesting renunciation letters Short answer: Don’t sign anything until you confirm exactly what the lender needs. In most cases you can sell the house by providing the lender with a death certificate, documentation proving who may act for the estate (or […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: First Step to Determine Legal Ownership of a Portion of Your Grandfather's Land
How to Begin Determining Legal Ownership of a Portion of Your Grandfather’s Land in Pennsylvania Detailed answer — the single best first step Start by locating and reviewing the deed and land-records for the parcel at the county Recorder of Deeds (sometimes called the Register or Recorder). In Pennsylvania, deeds and related documents (mortgages, liens, […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Held Property When Someone Dies Intestate
Detailed Answer Short summary: In Pennsylvania, whether jointly held bank accounts or real property pass automatically to a surviving co‑owner or become part of the decedent’s estate depends on how the asset is titled. Assets held with a valid right of survivorship or a payable‑on‑death (POD/TOD) designation typically pass outside probate to the named survivor […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Tracking and Reimbursing Estate Property Maintenance Expenses
How to Track and Seek Reimbursement for Costs of Maintaining Estate Property Before Sale Not legal advice. This article explains general Pennsylvania law and practical steps for executors, administrators, or anyone maintaining estate property. Consult an attorney or the Orphans' Court for advice about your situation. Detailed answer — what you can reasonably expect to […]
Read article →How to Be Appointed as an Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Pennsylvania
Becoming an Estate Administrator or Co-Administrator in Pennsylvania: A Step-by-Step FAQ FAQ: What steps do I take to be appointed as estate administrator or co-administrator in Pennsylvania? Short answer To be appointed as an estate administrator (also called a personal representative) in Pennsylvania you must: identify whether a will exists; file the proper petition with […]
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