Estate Litigation
Estate Litigation In Bucks County, PA
Leonid Mikityanskiy is a Bucks County, PA Estate Planning Attorney with over 15 years of experience, specializing in Estate Litigation, Will Contests, Property Disputes and Contested Accountings.
What is Estate Litigation?
Estate litigation occurs when a person dies without a Will and the order of intestate succession is unclear. Occasionally, even if there is a Will, a dispute regarding the validity of the Will can arise. Common reasons for contesting a Will include improper execution, undue influence, or alleged fraud. Additional reasons can include questions regarding the testator’s mental capacity at the time of execution. Estate disputes are usually resolved in the Orphans’ Court.
Common Issues in Estate Litigation
In Pennsylvania, the Probate, Estates, and Fiduciaries Code determines the validity of Wills and their admissibility to probate. Adequate preparation and supervision of a Will’s execution by a qualified attorney contribute to its presumption of regularity.
Issues that often lead to estate litigation include:
- Lost Original Wills: If the original Will is lost, a copy of the Will can be admitted to probate by overcoming the presumption of revocation of the original.
- Wills Executed Shortly Before Death: Wills created in a hospital or nursing home may face scrutiny and allegations of undue influence, fraud or duress.
- Holographic Wills: Wills written and signed by the testator without legal assistance often lack the required formalities and may be disregarded by the courts.
Disputes may arise over changes in long-standing testamentary dispositions, disagreements among siblings regarding the distribution of the estate, real estate and property disputes or challenges to the fairness of the Will’s provisions.
Our Estate Litigation Services
The Law Offices of Leo Mikityanskiy provides comprehensive representation for clients involved in estate litigation and proceedings, including:
- Probate and Administration of Estates: Navigating the complexities of estate administration and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
- Fiduciary Accounts and Audits: Conducting informal and judicial reviews of fiduciary accounts.
- Trust Proceedings: Trust Litigation Representation and assisting with both testamentary and living trust matters.
- Guardianship Petitions: Representing clients in proceedings concerning minors and incapacitated persons.
- Wrongful Death and Survival Proceedings: Handling claims related to wrongful death and compromises for minors.
- Power of Attorney Proceedings: Managing and authority issues related to powers of attorney.
Why Choose Us?
The Law Offices of Leo Mikityanskiy is dedicated to ensuring your rights are protected and that your estate matters are handled with the utmost care and professionalism. We represent clients in estate litigation, property disputes and Will contests in the Orphans’ Court in Bucks County and Philadelphia, PA.
For a professional estate litigator and trial lawyer, contact attorney Leonid Mikityanskiy today at 215-357-1400 to schedule an appointment at our Southampton, PA office.