Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania

Uniform Gifts to Minors

My mother invested some money in stock in my sister's name when my sister was a minor. It was listed under my sister's name and social security number with my mothers name a ''Secondary''. I don't know if this was ''or'', or whatever. Recently my sister, who is no longer a minor, said that all the money was her's (app. $18,000)and emptied the account. The reason she said was that she was legally responsible to pay taxes on the dividends so it was her's. This is true but the IRS never noticed for 20+ years. My sister never put any investment money into the account - only my mother. Can we get it back for Mom?


Asked on 4/23/04, 3:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James Apple Apple and Apple, P.C.

Re: Uniform Gifts to Minors

The UGMA (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act) gives full legal title to that stock at the time the transfer was made. This is your sister's money to use as she wants. Perhaps your Mother can rewrite her Will to even out the distribution of her assets, but there is no legal way to force your sister to share these funds. Please contact me with any questions.

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Answered on 4/26/04, 10:38 am


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