Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5524 (2026)

 Effect of determination of incapacity.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 5524.  Effect of determination of incapacity.

A partially incapacitated person shall be incapable of making any contract or gift or any instrument in writing in those specific areas in which the person has been found to be incapacitated. A totally incapacitated person shall be incapable of making any contract or gift or any instrument in writing. This section shall not impair the interest in real estate acquired by a bona fide grantee of, or a bona fide holder of a lien on, real estate in a county other than that in which the decree establishing the incapacity is entered, unless the decree or a duplicate original or certified copy thereof is recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county in which the real estate lies before the recording or entering of the instrument or lien under which the grantee or lienholder claims.

(Apr. 16, 1992, P.L.108, No.24, eff. 60 days)

 

1992 Amendment.  See section 21 of Act 24 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1980–2024 · leading case: Gavin, M., Aplts. v. Loeffelbein, E., 205 A.3d 1209 (Pa. 2019).
Gavin, M., Aplts. v. Loeffelbein, E., 205 A.3d 1209 (Pa. 2019). · cites it 2× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5524. This section is facially inapplicable to the alleged tortious conduct at issue here, which does not involve a contract, gift, or instrument in writing.”
Vine v. Commonwealth, State Employees' Ret. Bd., 9 A.3d 1150 (Pa. 2010). · cites it 2× “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 5524. This Court has recognized that transactions undertaken by such persons are invalid and may be nullified.”
Est. of A.J.M., Appeal of: Lynch Law Grp., 308 A.3d 844 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). · cites it 2× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5524. As suggested by Appellant, this provision does not mandate a conclusive determination of incapacity.”
In re Est. of Rosengarten, 871 A.2d 1249 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005). “The sole legal support for this position is 20 Pa.C.S. § 5524, effect of determination of incapacity, which provides in relevant part that, “A totally incapacitated person shall be incapable of making any contract or gift or any instrument in writing.”
In re Consol. Return of the Tax Claim Bureau, 461 A.2d 1329 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1983). “Without determining the accuracy of that observation, we see a significant difference between the situation where one is the bona fide grantee in a deed from someone subsequently adjudicated to be an incompetent and the situation here presented where a court determinéis that at…”
In Re Est. of Wood, 533 A.2d 772 (Pa. 1987). “] The incompetent is “incapable of making any contract or gift or any instrument in writing____” [20 Pa.Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5524.] This provision may prevent an incompetent from legally marrying, and from executing a valid will, as well as from forming enforceable business con…”
Glyder Realty Corp. Appeal, 75 Pa. Commw. 108 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1983). “Without determining the accuracy of that observation, we see a significant difference between the situation where one is the bona fide grantee in a deed from someone subsequently adjudicated to be an incompetent and the situation here presented where a court determines that at…”
Smalley v. JHA-Markleysburg Inc., 3 Pa. D. & C.5th 471 (2007). “20 Pa.C.S. §5524. An “incapacitated” person is an “adult whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively and communicate decisions in any way is impaired to such a significant extent that he is partially or totally unable to manage his financial resources or to…”
In Re: Guardianship of: H.T. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 2× “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 5524. The order at issue on appeal states, “as specified in Mr.”
In re: Brubaker, 27 Pa. D. & C.4th 220 (1994). “20 Pa.C.S. §5524. In recent years, courts, legislators, and commentators have realized the seriousness of the deprivation of rights the appointment of guardian entails.”
Schofield Est., 1 Pa. Fid. 188 (1980). “Finally, 20 Pa C.S. Section 5524 deals most directly with the issue.”
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