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John Sheridan, Cooper Health System’s CEO, and his wife were declared dead Sept. 28 after they were found unresponsive in their master bedroom in Montgomery Township’s Skillman section. No will for the Sheridans has been located. The family has not filed a detailed list of assets such as real estate, cash, and stocks and bonds.

Suspicion surrounding the recent passing of a wealthy New Jersey couple is only getting worse with the latest developments regarding their estate.

On September 28, 2014, John P. Sheridan and Joyce Sheridan were pulled out of their New Jersey home. Both had severe stab wounds. Mr. Sheridan was pronounced dead at the scene while Mrs. Sheridan died shortly thereafter in the hospital. Mrs. Sheridan’s cause of death is officially listed as a homicide. However, Mr. Sheridan’s death is listed as pending investigation. Authorities still are not sure what happened that night.

Now, as reported by The Inquirer, in an article titled Sheridan son no longer seeking to handle parents’ estate, one of their sons has removed his name as a being a candidate to administer the estate.

No reason was given for the removal.

The estate is believe to be valued at around $2 million. Curiously, no will or other estate planning documents have been found.

This case is worth monitoring not only to discover what transpired on the night the Sheridans passed away, but also to see if any will is ever found. It would be unusual for such wealthy people to have no estate plan at all, but it is not unheard of.

If no estate plan is found, then the laws of intestate succession will determine how the estate is distributed.

Reference: The Inquirer (December 11, 2014) Sheridan son no longer seeking to handle parents’ estate

For more information on asset preservation and estate planning, please visit my estate planning website.

Mr. Amoruso concentrates his practice on Elder Law, Comprehensive Estate Planning, Asset Preservation, Estate Administration and Guardianship.