York County Orphans' Court Rules

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Rule 12. Special Petitions

Rule 12.1.1. Additional Contents of Petition.
A petition for the family exemption shall set forth, in addition:

(a) the name, residence, and date of death of the decedent;

(b) the name, address, and relationship of the petitioner to the decedent, and whether the petitioner was a member of the same household as the decedent on the date of his or her death;

(c) whether the decedent died restate or intestate; whether, when and to whom letters were granted; and the names, relationship, and addresses of those interested in the estate; and

(d) the location, description and value of the property claimed.

Note: See Pa.O.C. Rule 3.5.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.1.2. Exemption Claimed in Personalty- Appraisals.
No appraisal shall be required when the exemption is claimed from cash, bank or savings and loan deposits, listed securities, or from any other personalty at valuations agreed upon by all parties in interest. When the exemption is claimed from other personalty, the petitioner shall attach a sworn appraisal of one qualified, disinterested person; or in the alternative, inventory values may be used.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.1.3. Exemption Claimed in Realty- Appraisals.
No appraisal shall be required when the exemption is claimed from realty at a valuation agreed upon by all parties in interest. When appraisals of realty from which the exemption is claimed are necessary, petitioner shall request the appointment and the Court shall appoint two appraisers who shall file their appraisals within thirty (30) days after their appointment.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.1.4. Notice.
Any party filing a petition for the exemption shall give at least ten (10) days prior notice of the filing to those interested in the estate who may be adversely affected by the grant of the petition. Such notice shall be by first class mail, and an affidavit of such notice shall be filed within ten (10) days of mailing. The notice shall state that unless objections are filed the petition may be granted by the Court. In the case of the exemption claimed in real estate, the notice shall be by certified mail and shall include a copy of the petition.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.1.5. Objections.
(a) In the case of a distribution without petition and confirmation other than as provided in Rule 12.1.7, the personal representative shall file an account and petition for adjudication; and in that event, objections to the allowance of the exemption or the appraisement may be filed by any person adversely affected thereby.

(b) When the procedure is by petition, questions as to the appraisement or allowance, or both, may be raised only by objections filed with the Clerk on or before the date specified in the notice.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.1.6. Final Decree.
When the exemption is sought by petition, the exemption may be obtained by submitting to the Court proof of service of the notice and a form of final decree, if no objections are filed.

Note: See PEF Code §§ 3121 to 3126, inclusive.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.1.7. Where Petition Not Needed.
In addition to the procedures outlined in Rule 12.1.5, no petition shall be required when the exemption is claimed as a part of a Small Estates Petition under Section 3121 et seq of the PEF Code, or where the claimant is the sole beneficiary of the estate.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.2.1. Additional Contents of Petition.
A petition for the allowance to the surviving spouse of an intestate shall also set forth the information required in a petition for the family exemption under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.1.1 insofar as is appropriate. Such a petition shah have a copy of the inventory attached to it.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.2.2. Notice; Objections; Final Decree.
(a) The necessity of procuring appraisals and matters relating thereto shall be governed by Y.C.O.C.R. 12.1.2 and 12.1.3.

(b) Any party filing a petition for the allowance shall give notice of the filing (including a copy of the petition) and notice of the date fixed by the Court (if known) for confirmation to those interested in the estate who may be adversely affected by the grant of the petition. If the appraisers have been appointed, additional notice shall be given after the appraisals have been filed together with a copy of the appraisals. The final notice shall include a statement that the setting apart of the property will be requested. This statement shall further state that unless objections are filed, the request to set the property aside may be granted by the Court at a stated time not less than ten (10) days from the date of the notice, or the last advertisement (if applicable) thereof.

(c) The filing of objections and entry of a final decree shall be as set forth in Y.C.O.C.R. 12.1.5 and 12.1.6.

Note: See PEF Code §§ 2110 and 2111.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.3.1. Extension of Time-Contents of Petition.
A petition for extension of time in which the surviving spouse may file an election to take against the will shall set forth the facts relied upon to justify the extension sought.

Note: See Pa.O.C.R. 3.5.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.3.2. Extension of Time-Practice and Procedure.
The petition shall be filed with the Clerk, and the petitioner shall thereafter give ten (10) days notice to all persons adversely affected who do not join in the petition. The notice shall specify the extension requested. In the absence of any objections, the Court may enter an appropriate decree upon presentation of proof of service.

Note: See PEF Code § 2511.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.5.1. Appearance in Court-Minor Over Fourteen.
If the minor is over the age of fourteen years, the minor shall appear at the presentation of the petition and nominate the guardian in open Court. If the minor is unable to appear in person, the reasons for the minor's absence shall be set forth in the petition.

Note: See PEF Code § 5113.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.5.2. Additional Exhibits.
(a) The following consents shall be attached to the petition:

(1) The written consent of the parents or surviving parent of the minor to the appointment of a guardian for the minor's estate or person. If both parents are deceased, the consent is required of the adult person with whom the minor resides or of the superintendent or other official in charge of the institution having custody of the minor.

(2) The written consent of the minor's spouse if the minor is married.

(3) If the proposed guardian is an individual, his or her written consent shall include a statement of:

(i) the proposed guardian's occupation;

(ii) that the individual speaks, reads and writes the English language;

(iii) that the individual is a citizen of the United States of America;

(iv) that the individual is not a fiduciary, or an officer or employee of a corporate fiduciary, of an estate in which the minor has an interest; nor a surety, or an officer or employee of a corporate surety, of such a fiduciary; and that the individual has no interest adverse to the minor.

(4) The consent of a proposed corporate fiduciary shall contain a statement that it is not the fiduciary of an estate in which the minor has an interest, nor the surety of such a fiduciary; and that it has no interest adverse to the minor.

(5) If consent is not obtained, the petition shall set forth the reasons for lack of consent and the attorney for petitioners shall give notice of the hearing on the petition as the Court directs.

(b) If any part of the minor's estate was obtained as a result of litigation or the settlement of litigation in a Court of record, a copy of the award or of the decree approving the settlement and distribution of the proceeds of the suit shall be attached to the petition.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.5.3. Small Estates of Minors.
(a) A petition for the award of an estate of a minor without the appointment of a guardian or the entry of security shall contain the following:

(1) a statement that the net value of the entire real and personal estate of the minor does not exceed the statutory limitations; and

(2) the name of a bank or insured savings and loan association with a least one office in York County as the suggested depository.

(b) In the absence of satisfactory reasons for doing otherwise, the Court shall direct that any cash be deposited in an interest bearing account in such a depository in the name of the minor or the name of a natural guardian of the minor. In all cases, the account shall be expressly restricted by means of a notation on the records of the depository that no withdrawals may be made from the account united the minor attains the age of majority, except as authorized by a prior order of the Court. Further, evidence of the marking of the account to indicate the restriction shall be filed promptly as part of the record.

(c) Any authorization by the Court given to a parent or other person or institution maintaining the minor to execute a receipt, deed, mortgage or other instrument affecting real or personal property of the minor within the statutory limit shall be conditioned on the deposit of the proceeds therefrom in an account restricted as in (b) above.

Note: See PEF Code §§ 5101 to 5103, inclusive.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.5.4. Allowances from Minor's Estate.
A petition for an allowance from a minor's estate shall set forth:

(a) the manner of the guardian's appointment and qualification and the dates thereof;

(b) the age and residence of the minor, whether his or her parents are living, the name of the person with whom he or she resides, and the name and age of his or her spouse and children, if any;

(c) the value of the minor's estate, real and personal, and his or her annual income;

(d) the circumstances of the minor, whether employed or attending school; whether a parent or other person charged with the duty of supporting the minor is living, the financial condition and income of the person and why the person is not discharging his or her duty of support; and whether there is adequate provision for the support and education of the minor, his or her spouse and children;

(e) the date and amount of any previous allowance by the Court; and

(f) the financial requirements of the minor and his or her family, in detail, and the circumstance making the allowance necessary.

Note: See PEF Code § 5164.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.6.1. Exhibit to Petition.
A copy of the instrument creating the trust shall be attached as an exhibit to the petition.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.7.1. Contents of Petition for Discharge.
In the case of a guardian of the estate of a minor who has attained the age of majority and whose gross estate does not exceed the statutory limitation for an administration without appointment of a guardian, the petition shall aver that there are no known unpaid creditors and that the former minor has consented to the petition, or the petition shall aver a satisfactory explanation of the failure of the minor to consent.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.7.2. Form of Petition for Discharge- Small Estates.
A petition for discharge of a personal representative or his or her surety under the provisions of PEF Code § 3531 shall conform insofar as appropriate to the requirements for a petition under Y.C.O.C.R. 6.11.1.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.9.1. Additional Contents of Petition for Public Sale.
(a) Public Sale by Personal Representative. A petition by a personal representative to sell real property at public sale shall set forth, in addition:

(1) how title was acquired and reference to the document of acquisition;

(2) the name, residence and date of death of the decedent, whether the decedent died intestate or testate, and the date of the grant of letters;

(3) that the personal representative is not otherwise authorized to sell or is denied the power to sell by will, or that it is desirable that the sale have the effect of a judicial sale, stating the reasons therefor;

(4) if an inventory has been filed, the value of the real property shown in the inventory or, if no inventory has been filed, the value of the property based upon an independent appraisal;

(5) if the personal representative entered bond with the Register, the name of the surety and the amount of the bond;

(6) the names and relationships of all parties in interest; a brief description of their interests; whether any of them is a minor, an incapacitated person, or a decedent, and if so, the name of any fiduciary and a reference to the record of his or her appointment as well as the age of any minor and the names of his or her next of kin;

(7) a legal description of the real property to be sold, the improvements thereof, by whom it is occupied, its rental value, if known, and its current tax assessment and tax parcel number; and

(8) sufficient facts to enable the Court to determine that the sale is desirable for the proper administration and distribution of the estate.

(b) Public Sale by Trustee. A petition by trustee to sell real property at public sale shall conform insofar as appropriate to the requirements for a petition under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.1(a), and, in addition, shall set forth:

(1) a reference to the relevant provisions of the controlling instrument;

(2) that the trustee is not otherwise authorized to sell or is denied the power to sell by the trust provisions, or that it is desirable that the sale have the effect of a judicial sale, stating the reasons therefor; and

(3) sufficient facts to enable the Court to determine that the sale is in the best interests of the trust and its beneficiaries.

(c) Public Sale by Guardian. A petition by a guardian to sell real property at public sale shall conform insofar as appropriate to the requirements for a petition under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.1(a) and 12.9.1(b), and, in addition, shall set forth:

(1) the age of the minor or the date of adjudication of incapacity;

(2) the names of the minor's or incapacitated person's next of kin, and the notice given to them of the presentation of the petition;

(3) the nature and the extent of the interests of the minor or incapacitated person and of any others in the real property; and

(4) sufficient facts to enable the Court to determine that the sale is in the best interests of the minor or the incapacitated person.

Note: For sale by personal representative and generally, see PEF Code §§ 3351 and 3353 to 3355, inclusive. For sale by trustee, see PEF Code § 7133, For sale by guardian of incapacitated person see PEF Code § 5521.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.9.2. Exhibits to Petition.
The following exhibits shall be attached to a petition by a personal representative, trustee or guardian, to sell real property at public sale:

(a) a copy of the will, deed, or decree by which the fiduciary was appointed; and

(b) any consents or joinders of parties in interest, and the names and a copy of the notice which has been given to those parties who do not consent or join; and

(c) consent by any mortgagee whose lien would otherwise not be discharged by the sale.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.9.3. Notice and Confirmation of Public Sale: Additional Security.
(a) After allowance of the petition, notice of the date, time and place of the sale shall be given to all parties in interest.

(b) Returns of public sale of real property for the purpose of approval or confirmation by the Court shall be by affidavit setting forth:

(1) the notice given;

(2) the price obtained; and

(3) the name and address of the purchaser and an averment that the purchaser was the highest bidder.

(c) Notice of the filing of the return of the public sale shall be given to all parties in interest. If no objections are filed within ten (10) days of the giving of the notice, the Court may enter a decree confirming the sale and fixing or excusing the entering of additional security, if required.

Note: See Pa.O.C. Rule 5.4.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.10.1. Additional Requirements for Petition for Private Sale, Exchange, or Granting of Options.
A petition by a fiduciary for the sale of real property at a private sale, or for the exchange or granting of an option for the sale or exchange of real property, shall conform insofar as appropriate to the requirements for a petition under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.1.

Note: See Note to Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.1.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.10.2. Exhibits to Petition.
In addition to the exhibits required under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.2 and the affidavits required by Pa.O.C. Rule 12.10(b), there shall be attached to the petition the following exhibits:

(a) a copy of the proposed agreement of sale, exchange or option; and

(b) the consents of any party in interest who has not joined in the petition insofar as they are obtainable.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.10.3. Notice: Confirmation.
After filing of the petition, notice of the sale shall be given to any party in interest who has not joined in or consented to the petition. The notice shall state that if no objections are filed within ten (10) days of the giving of such notice, the Court may enter a decree authorizing the sale upon the terms contained in the petition and fixing or excusing the entering of additional security, if required.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.10.4. Petition to Fix or Waive Additional Security.
(a) Form of Petition. A fiduciary not otherwise excused from the filing of a bond who sells realty, either publicly or privately, without a Court order directing the sale shall, before receiving the proceeds of the sale, present a petition to the Court setting forth:

(1) the date of death of the decedent;

(2) the date and authority for the petitioner's appointment as fiduciary;

(3) the amount of bond or bonds filed by petitioner, the date they were filed, and the name or names of the surety or sureties;

(4) the total valuation of any other personalty or realty (stated separately) held by him or her as fiduciary;

(5) a description of the real property to be sold sufficient to identify it, the name of the purchaser, the amount of the consideration to be paid; and

(6) a prayer for an order fixing the amount of additional security or excusing the entering of additional security.

(b) Surety on Additional Bond. The surety on any additional bond, except for cause shown, shall be the same as the original bond.

Note: See PEF Code §§ 3351 and 7141.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.11.1. Mortgage or Lease of Real Property; Additional Requirements.
(a) Contents of Petition. A petition to mortgage or lease real property shall conform insofar as appropriate to the requirements for a petition under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.1, and, in addition, shall set forth:

(1) the amount and terms of the proposed mortgage loan or lease including the amount of any regularly scheduled payments; and

(2) facts sufficient to enable the Court to determine that the proposed mortgage or lease should be approved, including the income of the mortgagor during each regular period, the amount of his or her other debt payments during each such period, and the loan to value ratio of the proposed mortgage.

(b) Exhibits. There shall be attached to the petition the exhibits required under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.2 and 12.10.2(b),

(c) Notice, Confirmation and Security. After allowance of the petition, the requirements of Y.C.O.C.R. 12.10.3 shall govern.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]

Rule 12.12.1. Additional Requirements for Petition Under Chapter 83 of the PEF Code.
(a) A petition by a fiduciary for the sale, mortgage, lease or exchange of real property shall conform insofar as appropriate to the requirements for a petition under Pa.O.C. Rules 12.9 and 12.11, and these rules thereunder.

(b) If the petitioner is not a fiduciary, the petition shall set forth specifically the information required under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.1(a)(1), and (6) and (7).

(c) When the petition is for a private sale or exchange, there shall be attached to the petition insofar as appropriate the exhibits required under Y.C.O.C.R. 12.10.2.

(d) All petitions shall set forth the limitations from which title is to be freed, and in the case where title is subject to an interest or interests held by one or more classes, some or all of the members of which are unascertained or not in being, the petition shall set forth the information required under Pa.O.C. Rule 12.6(a)(5) and shall have attached thereto the proposed trustee's written consent to the appointment.

(e) The practice and procedure with respect to notice, confirmation and security shall be governed insofar as appropriate by the requirements of Y.C.O.C.R. 12.9.3, 12.10.3 and 12.10.4.

[Effective 30 days after publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. 25 Pa.B. 2048 (5/27/95).]


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