Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Benson v. Patterson

Dismissal of plaintiff's complaints for child support against deceased father's estate affirmed because child support orders entered during father's lifetime did not create an obligation on the part of his estate to continue support until the children reached majority.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
� 1 This is an appeal from an order of the orphan’s court of Dauphin County dismissing appellants’ complaints for support. For the following reasons, we affirm.

� 2 The facts of the case are not in dispute. The deceased, Wiley Stanley Patterson (“Father”), was the biological father of the two children involved in this matter, Wiley Stanley Patterson, Jr., (“Stanley”) born March 25, 1984, and Aaron Patterson, (“Aaron”) born September 10, 1991. Each child was born out of wedlock. Appellants Cheryl Benson and Leona C. Lewis (“Mothers”), the respective mothers of Stanley and Aaron, maintained custody of the children. On February 23, 1998, the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Section, entered an order of support directing Father to pay $55 per week in support of his son Stanley. *fn1 This sum included an amount for arrearages from the effective date of May 23, 1994. On September 4, 1998, the court ordered Father to pay $395.39 per month in child support for his son Aaron. *fn2 This sum also included an amount for arrearages from the effective date of October 7, 1993.

� 3 On August 1, 1999, Father died of cancer. Approximately one year before Father died, he was the recipient of a $2.5 million settlement in a personal injury action from an automobile accident. During his life, Father failed to make any of the court-ordered support payments. Shortly before his death, Father made a will which, after making a gift of $20,000 to Stanley and $1,000 to Aaron, left the residue of his estate to his sister and appointed her executrix. *fn3 Father’s gross estate as shown on his Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return is $1,099,534.21.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Consulting Best Firms to Work For 2024
September 12, 2024
New York, NY

Consulting Magazine identifies the best firms to work for in the consulting profession.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
ATTORNEY - NJ and NY

Wisniewski & Associates, LLC seeks attorney licensed in NJ and NY with 2-5 years experience for its multi-state real estate, land use, ...


Apply Now ›
Labor Relations Counsel

Labor Relations CounselUS-GA-AtlantaJob ID: 2024-0042Type: 4 (Exempt, Bargaining Unit 1 (EB)# of Openings: 1Category: Contract Administratio...


Apply Now ›
Assistant Federal Public Defenders (2 jobs)

ASSISTANT FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDERS Two posi...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements