Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Taxes on estate

My mother died eight months ago at the age of 91. I lived with her and took care of her when she became unable to care for herself about seven years ago. She was almost bedridden and unable to care for herself. She left a will leaving her estate to me and my two sisters. I am still living in the house. I want to buy the house and there are many complications regarding this. One of the problems is the attorney handling the estate says my sisters do not want the estate to pay the taxes or insurance for the house while it is in probate. Because I am living there they want me to pay everything. The attorney agrees with them. My sisters are doing everything they possibly can to make things difficult for me. They did not help with the care of our mother and are mad because I used some of our mother's money to hire people to stay with her while I worked. I also paid out a lot of money myself to pay for this. I checked with another attorney and he said the estate should be responsible up until I take ownership of the house but slso said there was nothing I could do if they refused to pay. Is there anything I can do?


Asked on 11/11/05, 11:02 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

Re: Taxes on estate

Yes, there is something you can do. You can force the executor of the estate to do an accounting of assets. As the estate is the legal owner of the house then it is up to the estate to pay the taxes, insurance, etc. However, the estate as owner may demand you pay rent.

I would ask a number of questions:

Are you the executor of the estate?

Is the attorney the executor or just handling the probating of the estate?

Does he represent any of your siblings?

Feel free to contact me about this. I don't charge for the initial consultation.

{John}

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Answered on 11/14/05, 12:46 pm


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