Two lawyers were 50% partners in a law firm where one suddenly passed away. His wife has shipped firm files to another attorney and opened up an estate for the deceased lawyer. Can she do that?

The answer is no. The basic partnership law in Pennsylvania applies. If there is a partnership and someone dies, the partnership is over, but the firm remains with the remaining partner. Obviously, the remaining partner has a duty to the deceased lawyer’s estate and must honor the value of the partner’s share. If there is a partnership agreement, that might help in defining the value of the share.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]