HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-00
IN RE: ESTATE OF
ROBERT M. MUMMA,
Deceased
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION
NO. 21-86-398
" RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
AND NOW, this ~ day of /AJ.M.A ,2000, upon consideration of Exceptants'
Exceptions to Adjudication, a RULE is hereby entered upon Robert M. Mumma, II to show cause
why the Exceptions to Adjudication should not be granted to the Exceptants concerning the
appointment of a guardian ad litem for Robert M. Mumma, II's minor children.
RULE RETURNABLE in ;a dayst f}~
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BY THE COURT,
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F.\PJUlSIDATAFU..E\Gerodoc.em'6M4-exc_2
IN RE: ESTATE OF
ROBERT M. MUMMA,
Deceased
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION
NO. 21-86-398
EXCEPTIONS TO ADJUDICATION
TO THE HONORABLE; THE JUDGES OF THE SAID COURT:
AND NOW, this _ day of March, 2000, pursuant to Pa. O. C. Rule 7.1 and C.C.O.C. Rules
7.1-1 and 7.1-2, the Exceptants, Barbara McK. Mumma ("Mrs. Mumma") and Lisa M. Morgan ("Mrs.
Morgan"), as executrices of the Estate and trustees under the will of Robert M. Mumma, deceased
("Mr. Mumma, Sr."), except as follows to the adjudication in the Order and Opinion of this Court,
George E. Hoffer, P.J., dated February 23, 2000:
J. The Honorable Judge erred in denying Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan's petition
for the appointment of a guardian ad litem for Robert M. Mumma, II ("Mr. Mumma, II'')'s children,
all of whom are minors.
2. There is no dispute, and President Judge Sheely previously ruled, that Mr. Mumma,
II filed a disclaimer of his interests under Mr. Mumma, Sr.'s will in favor of his minor children.
3. In order to be effective for federal tax purposes, that disclaimer was required to be
irrevocable.
4. Nonetheless, Mr. Mumma, II sought, and Presid~nt Judge Sheely granted,
permission to revoke his disclaimer.
5. Mr. Mumma, II's request to revoke his disclaimetWllll.....i;Pntestedonly by RobertM.
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Frey, Esquite,.purporting to act as guardian ad litem for Mr. MUI11l11a,.Inslninor children.
.i;iiKi/the Superior Court held that Mr. Frey lacked~~Iir!'J(J litigate the issue of the
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validitYo~ ....,:~tidll\lfthe disclaimer.
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7. As a consequence, the issue of the validity of the revocation has never been litigated
on behalf of Mr. Mumma, Ii's minor children by anyone having standing to do so.
8. The issue whether Mr. Mumma, II effectively revoked his disclaimer bears directly,
and dispositively, upon the identity of those persons to whom Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan must
account and who are beneficiaries under the will of Mr. Mumma, Sr.
9. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan believe that they have a fiduciary duty to make sure
that the issue of the validity of the revocation, due to its centrality to the proper administration of
Robert M. Mumma's estate and the trusts established under his will, has been fully litigated by persons
having standing to do so.
10. There is no alternative means by which the minor children's arguments can be
heard and their rights protected, or by which the proper beneficiaries might be identified.
II. Mrs. Mumma and Mrs. Morgan do not except to the portion of the February 23,
2000 opinion and order directing them to file accountings, except to the extent that they are ordered
to account to Mr. Mumma, II prior to a final determination of his entitlement to receive an accounting
and his status as a beneficiary under his father's will.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
BY~~
Ivo . Otto III, Esquire
1.0. No. 27763
Mark A. Denlinger, Esquire
1.0. No. 83794
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013-3093
(717) 243-3341
Date: March 0 ,2000
Attorneys for Exceptants
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Jacqueline A. Decker, an authorized agent of Marts on Deardorff Williams & Otto, hereby
certify that a copy of the foregoing Exceptions to Adjudication was served this date by depositing
same in the Post Office at Carlisle, P A, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
Mr. Robert M. Mumma II
BoxE
Bowmansdale, P A 17008
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
line A. Decker
Te t High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated: March ~ , 2000
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IN HE: ESTATE OF
ROBERI' M. Mli'IMA
DOCEASED
IN THE COURT OF COMMJN PLEAS OF
CUMBERlJIND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
ORPHANS' COURl' DIVISION
00. 21-86-398
RULE
WE COMMAND, YOU THAT laying aside all business and excuses whatsoever,
you be and appear in your proper person before the Honorable Judges of the
COlNlOn Pleas Court, Orphans' Court Division at a session of the said
Court there to be held, for the county of Cumberland to shCM' cause why
the Exceptions to Adjudication should not be grant.ed to the Exceptants
concerning the appointment of a guardian ad litem for Robert M.MUIlIllo3., II's
minor children.
RULE RETURNABLE in 30 days, from service.
Witness my hand and offi,;,ial seal of office at Carlisle,
Pennsylvania this 14th day of March, 2000.
'f77~~. xL.~ DiP. P.R.~t.
Mary C 1S' - -~
Clerk of Orphans' Court Division
Cumberland County
Carlisle"pa.