PA PA - Ray Gricar, 59, Bellefonte, 15 April 2005 - #11

[Saunterer]

Trackergd:

Exhibit A (attached to the Petition to Establish a Finding of Death) is the Court Order dated September 2, 2005 granting the petition to appoint LG as Trustee Durante Absentia for RG. In granting the 2005 petition, the court further authorized RG's daughter to take charge of all property of RG, with authority to execute all documents on behalf of RG...to be considered his personal representative, authorized to take "such steps as she shall deem appropriate to complete the estate planning intentions of Ray F. Gricar, ...".

Also, in your post (#563) you list certain facts in regard to the Petition for Settlement of Small Estate (approved by the court on July 25, 2011), among which is: "Dies interstate, unmarried and with no other children". I assume the word used is actually "intestate", meaning without a will.

I distinctly remember discussion about a will back in 2005 which, though not published (because there was no proof of death), might contain information shedding some light on the disappearance. I also distinctly remember that someone with knowledge (a member of the family or of LE...I do not recall anymore) had checked it out, determined that there was a will but that its contents were of no help.

I cannot prove any of that about a will now, but it does not matter. The documents you have in your hands establish (at least to my satisfaction) that RG had entered into estate planning (with or without a will), and that his daughter was empowered by the court to take such steps as she deemed appropriate to complete RG's estate planning intentions.

For the reasons stated in this and my previous post, I believe all or substantially all of RG's assets are accounted for...and the public is not entitled to (nor will it ever see) the details.

 

[SuperSmith]

Trackergd:

Exhibit A (attached to the Petition to Establish a Finding of Death) is the Court Order dated September 2, 2005 granting the petition to appoint LG as Trustee Durante Absentia for RG. In granting the 2005 petition, the court further authorized RG's daughter to take charge of all property of RG, with authority to execute all documents on behalf of RG...to be considered his personal representative, authorized to take "such steps as she shall deem appropriate to complete the estate planning intentions of Ray F. Gricar, ...".

Also, in your post (#563) you list certain facts in regard to the Petition for Settlement of Small Estate (approved by the court on July 25, 2011), among which is: "Dies interstate, unmarried and with no other children". I assume the word used is actually "intestate", meaning without a will.


I distinctly remember discussion about a will back in 2005 which, though not published (because there was no proof of death), might contain information shedding some light on the disappearance. I also distinctly remember that someone with knowledge (a member of the family or of LE...I do not recall anymore) had checked it out, determined that there was a will but that its contents were of no help.

I cannot prove any of that about a will now, but it does not matter. The documents you have in your hands establish (at least to my satisfaction) that RG had entered into estate planning (with or without a will), and that his daughter was empowered by the court to take such steps as she deemed appropriate to complete RG's estate planning intentions.

For the reasons stated in this and my previous post, I believe all or substantially all of RG's assets are accounted for...and the public is not entitled to (nor will it ever see) the details.

Saunterer, wasn't the 9/05 action, by Lara, partly due to RG's law practicing license becoming expired and her need to renew it?

 

[J. J. in Phila]

I do not recall any suggestion at the time that LG would be doing any estate planning. That said, I would see no problem with her doing so. It would have been financially prudent for her to do so.

Likewise, I could understand RFG doing some estate planning, but the question is when. If he started moving money in late 2004 and early 2005, that would be a strong indication that RFG's disappearance was voluntary.

Why becomes problematic is why the family or LE didn't disclose that much of RFG's money had been put aside for his daughter, if that is what happened. Dollar amounts would not be needed. We even have the statement from TG about questions about money.

 

[Saunterer]

Saunterer, wasn't the 9/05 action, by Lara, partly due to RG's law practicing license becoming expired and her need to renew it?

Yes, but that was minimal. It allowed LG to have his law license put on inactive instead of revoked...which she did in PA, but not in OH. BTW RG's current lawyer status in PA is "deceased".
http://padisciplinaryboard.org/look-up/pa-attorney-info.php?id=31952&pdcount=0

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Saunterer, wasn't the 9/05 action, by Lara, partly due to RG's law practicing license becoming expired and her need to renew it?

There would have been other things, like filing income taxes, that LG would have needed authorization to do. Again, I don't find her actions to be improper. I can understand the need to do that.

 

[Saunterer]

I do not recall any suggestion at the time that LG would be doing any estate planning. That said, I would see no problem with her doing so. It would have been financially prudent for her to do so.

Based on the documents Trackergd obtained, I think this is a given. LE was satisfied and the public was not entitled to the details.

Likewise, I could understand RFG doing some estate planning, but the question is when. If he started moving money in late 2004 and early 2005, that would be a strong indication that RFG's disappearance was voluntary.

Or, in that case, an indication that RG's situation in life (meaning his looming retirement only) necessitated estate planning adjustment...which LG ultimately became empowered to see through, in the midst of probable death (also a given, I think).

Wh[at] becomes problematic is why the family or LE didn't disclose that much of RFG's money had been put aside for his daughter, if that is what happened. Dollar amounts would not be needed. We even have the statement from TG about questions about money.

RG's estate planning is important, but obviously not subject to public review. If anyone cares to look at the Goodall link to estate planning (cited above), there are many options. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts can be altered at will. What we now know is that LG was empowered to act as RG himself, except she could not (until the death declaration) dispose of any purely RG assets without court permission (other than compensating herself for acting as his trustee).

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Based on the documents Trackergd obtained, I think this is a given. LE was satisfied and the public was not entitled to the details.

Or, in that case, an indication that RG's situation in life (meaning his looming retirement only) necessitated estate planning adjustment...which LG ultimately became empowered to see through, in the midst of probable death (also a given, I think).

I do not think it is a "given," at this point. It is a possibility, nothing more, but one that has been raised repeatedly as a possibility. His retirement should not have necessitated a change, or any urgency. If we were to find that there was a change fairly close to the time he disappeared, it would be indicative that RFG strongly suspected he wouldn't be around for retirement. We do know the Mini was purchased in this time frame by RFG; we also know it was not put in his name.

RG's estate planning is important, but obviously not subject to public review. If anyone cares to look at the Goodall link to estate planning (cited above), there are many options. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable. Revocable trusts can be altered at will. What we now know is that LG was empowered to act as RG himself, except she could not (until the death declaration) dispose of any purely RG assets without court permission (other than compensating herself for acting as his trustee).

The details of any estate planning on RFG's are not something that should be open to public scrutiny. If RFG did some estate planning, and when RFG did any planning is a bit different, however. It is possible to say that without getting into the details of how much money it was, or the details of that planning. He was certainly entitled to do some estate planning, and his daughter is certainly entitled to receive it.

We have seen the family spokesman say, "He was making a fair amount of money; but, at least from a forensic accounting standpoint, the thought is there that there should have been more cash." http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/25/case-of-missing-pa-district-attorney-ray-gricar-baffles-police/
It doesn't sound like he knows either.

 

[Saunterer]

Thanks JJ. You have asked many good (though largely unanswered) questions over the years. I am very familiar with your opinions. Please forgive me if I do not share your enthusiasm for certain beliefs.

And thanks Trackergd. Your information, obtained from the Centre County Register of Wills, has added new insight despite the cloak of secrecy surrounding RG's wealth. Well done!

 

[J. J. in Phila]

What could have been bothering Ray Gricar so much in the weeks prior to his disappearance that it would have showed?

This question of course is for that will entertain the thought that he met with foul play.

Well, this, like most of the evidence may point to different things.

1. It could point to RFG being depressed, and suicidal.

2. It could point to RFG anxious about a major life change, walking away, and making the last minute arrangements.

3. It could point to a PSU or PSU-like situation. Something from an old case raised its head, and RFG realized that he would have to handle it. It might be an embarrassing situation.

4. It could point to RFG ending a relationship with someone and anxiety over it.

5. RFG might just have tired and this was not related.

We can use it to rule out some things, perhaps, with other things, but it is just one piece of the puzzle.

 

[SuperSmith]

Yes, but that was minimal. It allowed LG to have his law license put on inactive instead of revoked...which she did in PA, but not in OH. BTW RG's current lawyer status in PA is "deceased".
http://padisciplinaryboard.org/look-up/pa-attorney-info.php?id=31952&pdcount=0

Ok, it was my understanding that she did renew it after she became aware of it then later changed it to inactive. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Thanks JJ. You have asked many good (though largely unanswered) questions over the years. I am very familiar with your opinions. Please forgive me if I do not share your enthusiasm for certain beliefs.

And thanks Trackergd. Your information, obtained from the Centre County Register of Wills, has added new insight despite the cloak of secrecy surrounding RG's wealth. Well done!

Well, I don't have an opinion, only a range of possibilities. None of this is a "given."

I think Trackergd did an excellent job here. We do know that the estate value was low; we don't know why it was low. There can be very good explanations for it, estate planning for example, but there might not be either.

 

[Saunterer]

Ok, it was my understanding that she did renew it after she became aware of it then later changed it to inactive. Thank you for the clarification.

She could not renew his registration simply by paying the annual fee because she could not certify that RG had attained the mandatory CLE credits. She essentially just held his place for a while, pending his hopeful return.

 

[Saunterer]

Well, I don't have an opinion, only a range of possibilities. None of this is a "given."

Duly noted! :scared:

I think Trackergd did an excellent job here. We do know that the estate value was low; we don't know why it was low. There can be very good explanations for it, estate planning for example, but there might not be either.

There are very good explanations. I hope you and others are not missing the obvious.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

Duly noted! :scared:

There are very good explanations. I hope you and others are not missing the obvious.

I think many, if not most, have been mentioned, along with links.

More than 3.5 years ago, estate planning was noted as a possibility for the titling of the Mini Cooper. It has been a possibility, though it is perhaps receiving the discussion it deserves.

Trackergd did good work in finding this, and bringing up the subject.

 

[Saunterer]

I think many, if not most, have been mentioned, along with links.

More than 3.5 years ago, estate planning was noted as a possibility for the titling of the Mini Cooper. It has been a possibility, though it is perhaps receiving the discussion it deserves.

Trackergd did good work in finding this, and bringing up the subject.

Absolutely Trackergd did good work. Trackergd's information is the vehicle in this discussion. But I see others bringing up a subject Trackergd did not realize was hit upon. I could be wrong though. It does happen.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

I do think this helped establish a few things.

1. The reporting of a bid more than $100 K in RFG's accounts was probably accurate. As a joint account, half of that would not appear in the estate.

2. There are legitimate questions regarding RFG's assets. This has not shed any new light on where they are.

3. It is possible that RFG/LG did some estate planning. If RFG, the question would be when? Surprisingly, if RFG did some estate planning, the family has not acknowledged it to date.

 

[Trackergd]

Trackergd:

Exhibit A (attached to the Petition to Establish a Finding of Death) is the Court Order dated September 2, 2005 granting the petition to appoint LG as Trustee Durante Absentia for RG. In granting the 2005 petition, the court further authorized RG's daughter to take charge of all property of RG, with authority to execute all documents on behalf of RG...to be considered his personal representative, authorized to take "such steps as she shall deem appropriate to complete the estate planning intentions of Ray F. Gricar, ...".

Also, in your post (#563) you list certain facts in regard to the Petition for Settlement of Small Estate (approved by the court on July 25, 2011), among which is: "Dies interstate, unmarried and with no other children". I assume the word used is actually "intestate", meaning without a will.

I distinctly remember discussion about a will back in 2005 which, though not published (because there was no proof of death), might contain information shedding some light on the disappearance. I also distinctly remember that someone with knowledge (a member of the family or of LE...I do not recall anymore) had checked it out, determined that there was a will but that its contents were of no help.

I cannot prove any of that about a will now, but it does not matter. The documents you have in your hands establish (at least to my satisfaction) that RG had entered into estate planning (with or without a will), and that his daughter was empowered by the court to take such steps as she deemed appropriate to complete RG's estate planning intentions.

For the reasons stated in this and my previous post, I believe all or substantially all of RG's assets are accounted for...and the public is not entitled to (nor will it ever see) the details.

BBM

Correct... :facepalm:

 

[Trackergd]

Curious about who drove the Mini 90% of the time.

If the was RG's normal transportation, why would RG put a vehicle he drove every (or almost every) day in PF's name?

Large Income.
No assets of any consequence including no car.
No will.

Looking at the big picture, this looks quite odd. In most cases when you see this type of situation, it is an individual who owns a business that has a high liability profile.

I am divorced and have adult children and a long term partner, yet I still own property. No way I would put everything in my partners name. Possibly in my sons name.

Still a large amount of income not accounted for. Even if it was into a single payment life policy, there would still be a sizable bank account balance unless the policy was purchased just before RG went missing. If that were the case, LE should have realized it was a key indicator.

I don't fully buy that LE was satisfied with his financial records. I think there were questions and a bit of head scratching, but nothing they were going to tell the public about.

Still wonder why LG considered such a small amount of money or assets to be considered private information. Red flag to me. Something else was on that return.

What public official in a position that makes him/her a target for revenge does not have a will to care for their own final arrangements and to prevent dispute over assets and money. Something odd about that...

 

[Trackergd]

I was just informed I have to spend a week in Canada doing warranty work. I will catch up a week from now unless I can get some internet time somewhere...probably very long days.

 

[SuperSmith]

Have a safe trip Trackergd