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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-03-12C'> Andrew C. Sheely, Esquire ~ ~' 127 S. Market Street ~ t~3 -~; P.O. Box 95 ~7~ ,, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 ~ PA ID NO. 62469 ~~.' 717-697-7050 (Phone) 717-697-7065 (Fax) ~- `~ C~a ~ ,_ ~C-~-:., ..~i I IN RE: THE ESTATE OF IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEA~~~F GLADYS M. OWENS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ORPHANS COURT DIVISION N0. 21-11-1255 ANSWER OF ESTATE OF GLADYS M. OWENS TO PETITION FOR ROSE M. NEIDIG TO REMOVE CARMELLA COLBAN AS ._ ~~ ~ ~~ ~-r ~ ,~.. -~ _ _. J '~"'~ r .~ W ~ ~ ,y ~ 1 ~ `..~ w .~ ~.~ EXECUTRIX OR, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, TO COMPEL ADMINISTRATION WITH RESPECT TO THE DECEDENT'S REAL ESTATE Respondent, the Estate of Gladys M. Owens, Carmella Colban, Executrix, by and through counsel of Andrew C. Sheely, Esquire, hereby files this Answer to the Citation and Rule issued by the September 14, 2012 Order of Court of the Honorable Thomas A. Placey, respectfully stating as follows: 1. Admitted. 2. Admitted. 3. Admitted with clarification. The Last Will and Testament of the decedent appointed Carmella Colban as the Executrix, directed that Carmella Colban perform Estate administrative duties, including those specific administrative duties as provided by paragraph 3 of the decedent's Last Will and Testament. 4. Admitted. ~11~~ 5. Denied. The allegations set forth in paragraph 5 are conclusions of law to which no response is necessary. To the extent a response is due, Respondent Estate of Gladys M. Owens believes and therefore avers that it has sought to administer the Estate in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania so as to protect Estate assets and minimize income losses during Estate administration. 6. Denied, and strict proof thereof demanded at hearing. To the contrary, Executrix Carmella Colban, prepared the decedent's real estate for sale (i.e. cleaning, painting and general repair), listed the decedent's real estate for sale with a licensed realtor in the Conunonwealth of Pennsylvania and complied with the listing agreement for a period of six (6) months which expired on or about August 17, 2012. See Exhibit "A". By way of further response, the tenant. of the deceased, Beverly Martinez, was permitted to remain in the decedent's real estate through the term of tine li_at.ing agreement for an amount of $300.00 per month for rent to offset certain costs and taxes, and provide a resident for the unoccupied property. 7. Denied. To the contrary, Executrix Carmella Colban, prepared the decedent's real estate for sale (i.e. cleaning, painting and general repair), listed the decedent's real estate for sale with a licensed realtor in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and complied with the listing agreement for a period of six ( 6 ) months wh..~.ch expired on or about August 17, 2012. By way of further response, Executrix Carmella Colban contemplated re-listing the property with another real estate agent or attempting to sell the decedent's real estate public auction or otherwise until receipt of the underlying petition. 8. Admitted in Part/Denied in Part. It is admitted that the tenant, Beverly Martinez, at the request of Petitioner, resided with the decedent through her death and that Beverly Martinez became a family friend of the decedent. It is further admitted that the tenant Beverly Martinez paid the Estate rent in the amount of $300.00 per month (twice the amount of rent paid to the decedent) and that the tenant assisted with certain expenses and cleaning of the house after the decedent's death. The remaining allegations are denied and strict proof thereof demanded at hearing. 9. Denied, and strict proof thereof demanded at hearing. Executrix Carmella Colban is without sufficient information to form an opinion as to whether or not the fair market rental value of the decedent's residence is equal to $500.00 a month, and therefore the allegations are denied, strict proof thereof demanded at hearing. 10. The allegations contained in paragraph 10 are conclusions of law or requests for relief to which no response is required. To the extent a -response is required, Executrix 3 Carmella Colban has provided the decedent's heirs with periodic updates on the status of Estate administration, filed a Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax return, paid the required inheritance taxes, and maintained expenses associated with Estate administration. By way of further answer, the Executrix desires to sell the decedent's residence as soon as possible for the highest amount possible. 11. Denied, and strict proof thereof demanded at hearing. As set forth above, the listing agreement for the sale of the real estate through Coldwell Banker, a licensed Pennsylvania Real Estate agency, terminated on August 17, 2012. Executrix Carmella Colban desires to relist the property for sale, attempt to sell the real estate at auction or sell the property privately in accordance with authority of the decedent's Last Will and Testament. 12. Denied, and strict proof thereof demanded at hearing. To the contrary, the actions taken by Executrix Carmella Colban were authorized by the decedent's Last Will and Testament and were intended to maximize the sale value of the decedent's residence and minimize losses through litigation, a vacant home and ongoing utility expenses incurred while the decedent's real estate remained on the market. WHEREFORE, the Estate ~:f Gladys M. Owens, Carmella Colban, Executrix, respectfully requests dismissal of the underlying Petition to remove Carmella Colban as Executrix of the Estate, and further, and further direct the sale of the real estate through a public auction, with or without Court approval, prior to final settlement. Respectfully submitted, r; ; ~,, d4~Idrew C . Shee lycc....~~__ qu e ~ ~~ Attorney for Estates of Gladys M. Owens, Carmella Colban, Executrix Date: October 2, 2012 5 VERIFICATION I verify that the statements made in this Answer are true and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities. ,... ,. _, ~, ~.a.., N Date : October 2 012 ~~.. ~~.'~..~°-~- ~~ ~'" ~- Carmella Colban, Executrix, Estate of Gladys M. Owens E Colc~well Banker Select Professionals SELECT PROFESSIONALS RELEASE OF LISTING CONTRACT We, the undersigned, mutually agree to Seller(s) request for a release from Coldwell Banker Select Professionals from further contractual obligations of the Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement for the Sale of Real Estate dated August 17 , 20 12 ,for the property located at 207 E. Locust Street Mechanicsburg Pa, 17055 ~ -~ Agent " Seller Date Agent Seller Agent Seller Date ate Broker's Approval Date rfY , ~ (~ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Andrew C. Sheely, Esquire, rereby certify that I am this day serving the attached Answer upon -the following named individual this day by depositing same :in the United States Mail, First Class, postage prepaid, at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, addressed as follo~rs: Anthony T. McBeth, Esquire, Attorney for Rose M. Neidig 407 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phyllis A. Henneman 111 Fairway Drive Carlisle, PA 17015 Holly Owens 206 East Emaus Street Middletown, PA 17057 Joseph C. Owens Jr. 13 Heathglen Road Middletown, PA 17057 Date: October ~ 2012 7