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Situation
Decedent was a life-long resident of Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, PA who died after suffering from a prolonged illness. He was survived by his wife and two adult daughters from a prior marriage. His estate was comprised of a jointly held home with his wife, retirement accounts, annuities, bank accounts, and other personal belongings.
At the time of his death, the Decedent did not have a Will. Considering the complexities that can arise in a normal estate administration, an estate administration for a blended family introduces a substantial risk of dispute and conflict.
The wife hired Sallen Law to work alongside her as the administrator to ensure that the laws were followed and to prepare the required detailed documentation during the estate administration in anticipation of any issues that might arise with the beneficiaries.
Task
As probate counsel, our responsibilities were as follows:
- Identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities of the estate;
- Determining the correct distribution of the estate under Pennsylvania intestacy laws;
- Assisting with the administration of the estate;
- Facilitating the resolution of estate debts and obligations; and
- Overseeing the transfer, liquidation, and distribution of estate assets.
Action
The estate administration process involved compiling a full inventory of estate assets, including real estate, financial accounts, and personal effects, verifying all known debts, and filing relevant documents. Under Pennsylvania intestacy laws, non-beneficiary named assets were to be distributed in such a manner so that the surviving spouse received 50% and each daughter received 25%. With some assistance from our firm, the family members arrived at a mutual understanding of the intestacy provisions and their respective distributions.
We filed a Probate Petition to start the administration process. Subsequently, the acting administrator took control of the estate property as the firm began the process of transferring beneficiary-designated accounts. We completed and submitted the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return to the Department of Revenue before the nine-month statutory deadline.
The family continued to be cooperative but the process of working with various institutions and verifying asset ownership required meticulous legal supervision. Our firm avoided dealing with the common estate problems of unpaid debts, title disputes, and asset classification issues.
Result
- The estate was managed efficiently, with the Inheritance Tax Return being filed in a timely manner.
- The surviving spouse received her statutory share of the estate along with the jointly owned property, as well as the financial assets for which she was beneficiary.
- The daughters were each given their respective 25% share of the estate’s non-designated assets.
- Everything went smoothly and in a timely manner with all the parties involved proceeding with full cooperation and no disputes.
Client Feedback
"I was totally overwhelmed when my husband passed. Thankfully, I found Sallen Law. Their support was tailored to my needs, making sure I was taken care of every step of the way. I really appreciated their calm and professional approach throughout all of this. Their thorough guidance made an otherwise difficult situation so much easier.”
Why It Matters
Without proper appropriate legal guidance, families trying to settle the affairs of an intestate estate most often end up with unnecessary administrative delays. Not knowing how to proceed can be harmful to the estate and can lead to tax or inheritance disputes. Our involvement ensures that everyone can feel secure without worrying that the estate administration is being handled correctly.
How We Can Help
Our law firm is ready to help families who need guidance when their loved one dies without a Will or estate plan. Reach out to Sallen Law for compassionate and knowledgeable advice at every step of the probate process.
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