Avoiding Probate in Pennsylvania: How Wills, Beneficiary Designations, Trusts, and Joint Ownership Work
Estate Planning Tools That Help Avoid Probate in Pennsylvania Quick summary: Wills, beneficiary designations, joint ownership, and trusts work differently. Beneficiary forms and certain joint-ownership arrangements can transfer assets outside probate; a will generally governs only probate assets. Use consistent beneficiary designations and consider a trust or joint titling when you want to avoid probate. […]
Read article →Submitting an Original Will to Probate in Pennsylvania When You Live Out of State
Detailed Answer If you live outside Pennsylvania but need to submit the original will of a deceased person to a Pennsylvania probate office, follow clear, safe steps to protect the original document and to make sure the will is accepted for probate in the correct county. The Register of Wills in the county where the […]
Read article →Buying Out Siblings’ Shares in a Parent’s House — Pennsylvania Guide
FAQ: Steps and legal options for buying out co-heirs’ shares in real estate under Pennsylvania law Disclaimer: This is general information and not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a Pennsylvania attorney. Quick answer (what this covers) This article explains how, under Pennsylvania law, an heir or beneficiary can buy out siblings’ […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: Recovering Estate Funds Taken by an Heir — What You Need to Know
What to do when an heir withdraws money from a deceased parent's accounts — Pennsylvania overview Short answer: If a person withdraws money from a decedent’s bank account or uses a decedent’s credit card after the decedent’s death and the account was not payable-on-death or joint with right of survivorship, that withdrawal is usually improper. […]
Read article →Pennsylvania — Getting Court Approval to Sell an Inherited Home When Co-Owners Include Minors
How to get court approval to sell a home inherited by co-owners that includes a minor (Pennsylvania) Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or the local Orphans' Court. Detailed Answer — Steps to get court approval in […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: What to Include When Filing a Family (Year's) Allowance Petition
Detailed answer — Filing a family ("year's") allowance petition in Pennsylvania Short summary: In Pennsylvania the allowance commonly called a "year's allowance" is typically handled as a family allowance or support allowance out of a decedent's estate to support the surviving spouse and minor children. When you file a petition you must identify the estate, […]
Read article →How to Handle a Mother's Estate in Pennsylvania: Step-by-Step FAQ
Detailed Answer Overview. The steps below explain, in plain language, how to handle a deceased parent’s estate under Pennsylvania law. This is a general guide only. Your facts may change which steps apply. This is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney for specific guidance. Hypothetical facts to illustrate the process Example: Your mother (a […]
Read article →How to Switch to a Small Estate Process in Pennsylvania
Detailed Answer Short answer: North Carolina’s $60,000 “year’s allowance” rule does not control what happens in Pennsylvania. If you are dealing with a Pennsylvania estate (or need to administer property located in Pennsylvania), you must follow Pennsylvania probate rules. Pennsylvania does not use North Carolina’s dollar cap; instead, it has its own rules about when […]
Read article →Pennsylvania: Paying Back Taxes on Inherited Land When You Are Not on the Deed — Key Outcomes and Next Steps
Detailed Answer Short answer: Paying delinquent property taxes protects the land from tax sale and preserves the property, but it does not automatically make you the legal owner if your name is not on the deed. Payment creates rights you should document and may give you a basis to seek repayment, a lien, or a […]
Read article →How to Find the Heirs and Who Owns Property After a Grandparent’s Death — Pennsylvania
How to Identify the Heirs and Determine Property Ownership After a Grandparent’s Death in Pennsylvania Short answer: Start by locating a will and a certified death certificate, then search county probate (Register of Wills) and land (Recorder/Deeds) records. If there is no will, Pennsylvania’s intestacy rules control who inherits; the county Register of Wills can […]
Read article →