When a person passes away without a Will the law determines who receives shares of the estate and in what proportions. Dying without a Will is called “intestacy” and the shares which pass by intestacy are called “intestate shares”.   The law is laid out very clearly as to who receives shares and in what […] The post Do Predeceased Heirs Receive a Share of an Estate? appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

I discovered my passion for helping families with their estate matters after my lengthy experience as a former litigator. Because of this experience, I understand how challenging it can be when an estate is delayed by court proceedings or disputes. It places a heavy burden on the family and feels like a weight on the […] The post Why It Is Hard to Probate a Minor’s Inheritance appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

The estate executor is the person nominated in a Will to handle all the legal and financial affairs for a loved one’s estate. It is a big job with a lot of responsibility. Executors carry the responsibility to ensure that the estate is handled right and run the risk of personal legal liability for any […] The post How Much Information Should an Executor Share with Beneficiaries? appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

The distribution of inheritance in the estate administration process has many potential pitfalls. As a probate attorney, I’ve seen the complexities and consequences that can arise from missteps in distributing money from the estate. Distributions should be handled with caution to ensure that there are no legal repercussions to the executor.   Errors in distributions […] The post How to Avoid Making Major Mistakes When Distributing Inheritance appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

When a loved one passes away, the person nominated to serve as the estate’s representative is known as the executor or administrator of the estate. The representative takes on the responsibilities and legal risks associated with doing this job according to the law.     One of the legal duties of a personal representative is to […] The post What is an Estate Inventory in Pennsylvania? appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

Pennsylvania has a complex inheritance tax law which taxes almost all assets when a loved one passes away. The tax captures not only assets which are in the estate, but also assets which pass with a beneficiary designation upon death. One of the few exceptions to the inheritance tax is life insurance. But is life […] The post Do I have to pay Inheritance Taxes on Life Insurance Proceeds? appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

There are many types of assets that a person can leave to their loved ones after death. One type of asset that estate executors should give careful attention to is investment securities. Securities are investments that people buy with the hope of selling the investment for more money in the future. There are many types, […] The post Navigating the Murky Waters of Estate Investment Securities appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

Legal Troubles when a Will Names an Ex-Spouse as Beneficiary    A Will is an important part of protecting your loved ones and ensuring that your intentions are carried out after death. It is equally important to update your Will whenever there are major life changes.   One of the most significant life changes some may […] The post Effect of Marriage and Divorce Upon a Will appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

Real estate is often a major part of the gifts which pass from a loved one’s estate to the beneficiaries. Unlike stocks and other liquid assets, real estate often has added sentimental value to the beneficiaries with a feeling of history and connection to the property. Many families want to honor their loved one’s wishes […] The post Consequences to an Executor for Mishandling Real Estate appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more

The personal representative of a Pennsylvania estate, also known as an executor or administrator, has the legal authority to manage the estate assets. But with this authority also comes the responsibility to preserve the value of the assets for the beneficiaries. Estate representatives have a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries to ensure that the assets […] The post How an Estate Executor can be Held Responsible for Poor Stock Market Performance appeared first on Pennsylvania Probate Law Firm - Daiello Law ..read more