Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania
My father passed in January 2014. Sister is executrix. Starts arguing with sibs after father passes and informs us in February that Dad's bank account (80K) is not part of the estate because back in August 2013, they opened a joint checking account so she could pay his bills and now that he has passed, the money belongs to her. I'm 100% sure that my father trusted my sister to distribute this money to all of his children when he died as he had been saying for years and years, hundreds of times, to all five of his kids, that he wanted us to have his money when he's gone. We are sick over our sister's lack of respect for my father's wishes, but she won't speak to any of us about anything and neither will the lawyer she hired to settle the estate. BTW, Dad moved in with this sister two months before he died and when he went into the hospital that same month, her son stole $4000. cash and $4000. worth of jewelry from Dad's personal safe.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Condolences on your loss.
You and your siblings who agree with you may challenge your sister's actions. It sounds like the account on which your sister was a co-signer was for convenience, not for co-ownership, and it should have been a part of your father's estate.
You should engage services of an estates lawyer of your own to challenge the administration by your sister. Don't let time pass while the estate assets are being dissipated.
THIS RESPONSE IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND I DO NOT HAVE A REPRESENTATION AGREEMENT WITH YOU.
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