Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

unclaimed funds for deceased father

Hi , I would like to know if I have legal right to unclaimed funds that i found in our state treasury dept. website. It belongs to my father who is deceased as of 2 yrs ago. He had a will that specifically said that his children were not to have anything of his estate but that will was made during times when we were not on speaking terms. The last few yrs of his life we made ammends and were told by him and other relatives that when he died that his assest were to be distributed among myself and my 3 sisters. My Aunt was left his estate in the last will made when we were not in contact with him.she gave us each 5, 000.00 which was not nearly as much as he had and she kept all his things like jewerly and car and things worth money and all his stock too. I found yesterday taht he had unclaimed money due him and i want to know if i have any legal right to . I need her permission to claim and we are nolonger on speaking terms for she is guilt ridden for not giving us what was due to us. do i have legal claim anything?


Asked on 2/27/03, 4:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bryant A. Boohar Charles W. Boohar, Jr. & Associates, P.C.

Re: unclaimed funds for deceased father

This newly discovered asset must go through the probate process before it can be distributed to anyone. Depending on the situation, there may be some taxes and/or creditors that need to be paid from the asset before it can be distributed. Once that is done, the asset would normally be distributed under the provisions of the Will (presumably, to your Aunt). However, if your Aunt feels that you and your siblings should get the asset instead, then she may be able to disclaim her interest in the asset, and, assuming that your mother is no longer living, then the asset would be split among you and your siblings.

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Answered on 2/27/03, 4:52 pm


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