Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Maryland

Maryland Terms of Will Compliance

My brother-in-law was bequeathed " all personal property,cash and bank accounts" and his mother and

sister were left real property. His mother was listed

as personal representative. Does "all personal property, cash and bank accounts" have to be turned over to him or is she allowed to pay legal expenses,

cremation and funeral expenses from what was left to

him? It has been a year and the inventory lists four

items when his father had tools, stereo equipment,tv's

and other things he bought. His wife paid him rents

for years. They purchased nothing together. The wife

has not contested the will but she has not disbursed

anything. He has paid inheritance tax on a small pick up truck. He has not received it because as a widow

she is allowed to drive it for a year. Please advise.

Everything is weird about this case as wife had him

cremated without autopsy. He had not been sick. Their

excuse was they did not want to pay $1,500 for autopsy. Money was found and not entered on inventory.

Wages of mother does not substantiate renovations on

bathroom or house that has been done. Thanks.


Asked on 1/27/00, 9:24 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Laumann Law Office of Joseph Laumann, PA

Re: Maryland Terms of Will Compliance

this all depends on what the will said. If there were provisions for the funeral, burial etc, then selling personal property to pay for is ok. Most people have life insurance for this very reason.

If you think the PR is taking stuff w/o telling the court, you need to contest the accounting and ask that the PR be replaced.

I would advise hiring an attorney to handle this matter.

Read more
Answered on 1/29/00, 8:02 am


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