Pennsylvania Estate Administration Hub
Resources for executors, trustees, and administrators navigating estate and trust administration in Western Pennsylvania.
Whether you have been named executor of a will, successor trustee of a trust, or administrator of an intestate estate, you are now responsible for managing someone else's assets, paying their debts, filing their tax returns, and distributing what remains to the right people. The stakes are real — fiduciary mistakes can result in personal liability.
This hub brings together every resource Ament Law Group has published on estate administration in Pennsylvania. Use it to understand your obligations, find the right tools, and know when to call for help.
Executor or Trustee? Start Here.
If you have just been named executor or successor trustee, the single most important thing to do is not rush. Secure the assets, gather the documents, and get professional guidance before making distributions, paying claims, or signing anything. Most mistakes happen in the first 30 days when well-meaning fiduciaries act before understanding their obligations.
Our Pennsylvania Fiduciary Guide covers every role — executor, trustee, POA agent, and healthcare agent — in plain language.
Estate Administration Services
Probate Administration
Full-service executor representation — filing with the Register of Wills, creditor notice, tax returns, and distribution. Transparent fees.
Trust Administration
Successor trustee guidance — fiduciary duties, tax filings, beneficiary notifications, and distribution management outside court supervision.
Small Estates
Pennsylvania's simplified process for estates valued at $50,000 or less in probate assets — faster filing, fewer requirements.
Non-Resident Decedent
REV-1737-A filing and ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents who owned Pennsylvania property.
Farm & Family Business Estates
Keeping the farm or business running during administration — valuation, succession, and preserving the operation for the next generation.
Oil, Gas & Mineral Rights
Valuation, inheritance tax, and transfer of subsurface interests — Marcellus Shale royalties, conventional wells, and severed mineral estates.
Will Contests & Trust Disputes
Representation for executors and beneficiaries in contested wills, trust disputes, and fiduciary misconduct cases.
PA Fiduciary Guide
Step-by-step guide for executors, trustees, and agents in Pennsylvania — duties, deadlines, and pitfalls.
Westmoreland County Probate
Register of Wills in Greensburg — serving Murrysville, Greensburg, Latrobe, and all of Westmoreland County.
Allegheny County Probate
Register of Wills in Pittsburgh — serving Fox Chapel, Monroeville, Plum, Mt. Lebanon, and the Pittsburgh metro.
Free Estate Administration Tools
PA Probate Timeline Estimator
Estimate your estate's timeline based on asset types and complexity.
PA Inheritance Tax Calculator
Estimate inheritance tax by beneficiary relationship and asset value.
Small Estate Checker
Does the estate qualify for Pennsylvania's simplified $50,000 process?
PA Intestacy Calculator
Who inherits when someone dies without a will in Pennsylvania?
First 30 Days Checklist
Immediate steps after a loved one passes in Pennsylvania.
PA Fiduciary Guide
Complete guide for executors, trustees, and agents in Pennsylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between probate and trust administration?
Probate is court-supervised through the Register of Wills. Trust administration happens privately — the successor trustee manages and distributes trust assets according to the trust document without court oversight. Both require the same fiduciary duties. Learn more about trust administration →
Does the estate qualify for the small estate process?
If total probate assets are $50,000 or less, the estate may qualify for a simplified petition. Assets with named beneficiaries and jointly held property don't count toward the threshold. Use our Small Estate Checker to find out.
The decedent lived in another state but owned PA property. What now?
You'll need to file a non-resident inheritance tax return (REV-1737-A) and likely obtain ancillary Letters in Pennsylvania. We work alongside the domicile-state attorney to handle the PA side. Learn more →
The estate includes oil, gas, or mineral rights. How are they handled?
Mineral rights are real property subject to PA inheritance tax. They must be identified (often through county records, not the decedent's files), valued by income approach or comparable sales, and transferred by deed. Learn more →
Can I be personally liable as executor or trustee?
Yes. Distributing assets before paying debts, missing tax deadlines, mismanaging investments, or acting outside your authority can all result in personal liability. Attorney fees during administration are paid from the estate, not out of pocket — and they're almost always less than the cost of fixing mistakes. Read the fiduciary guide →
How long does estate administration take in Pennsylvania?
Simple estates: 9–12 months. Estates with real estate sales, business interests, or family disputes: 18 months to 2+ years. The inheritance tax return is due 9 months after death (with a 5% discount for payment within 3 months). Use our Probate Timeline Estimator for a more specific estimate.
Estate Administration Articles
For Executors & Administrators
For Heirs & Beneficiaries
Need Help Administering an Estate?
Whether you are a first-time executor, a successor trustee, or an heir who needs guidance, our attorneys walk you through every step. Transparent fees, no surprises.