If a personal representative of an estate hides or absconds with any assets, is it criminal or just subject to contempt of court?

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If a personal representative of an estate hides or absconds with any assets, is it criminal or just subject to contempt of court?

A deceased man’s some was made PR personal representative of the estate. Not

much in value. Home and personal possessions, $30,000 after sale of house

before creditors are paid. PR does not get along or speak with 2 other siblings. No assets have been shared, the PR has left the property and moved to an unknown apartment and took the home possessions with him.

Asked on October 19, 2018 under Estate Planning, Nebraska

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 5 years ago | Contributor

It is criminal: a personal representative may manage the estate's assets but they do not belong to him; they belong to the estate. If the PR took estate's assets, he therefore stole them from the estate, and stealing from the estate is as much a scrime as stealing from a person, business, trust, etc. A police report can be filed and you can look to press charges.


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