Probate in Pennsylvania is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate through the Register of Wills. The process begins with filing the original will and a petition for grant of letters at the county courthouse, after which the Register issues Letters Testamentary (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will). The executor then obtains Short Certificates, marshals estate assets, pays debts and taxes — including the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax (due within nine months of death, with a 5% discount for early payment) — and distributes remaining assets to beneficiaries. Probate costs in Pennsylvania typically include Register of Wills filing fees, attorney fees, and executor compensation.
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person's assets are distributed to heirs and beneficiaries, and any debts or taxes owed are settled. In Pennsylvania, this process typically occurs through the Register of Wills in the county where the decedent resided.
Whether you have been named as an executor in a will or need to be appointed as administrator of an estate, our attorneys guide you through every step of the process.
Our Probate Services
- Filing with the Register of Wills — Petition for probate, obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, and secure Short Certificates.
- Estate Inventory & Valuation — Identify, locate, and value all estate assets including real property, financial accounts, and personal property.
- Creditor Notification — Publish required notices and manage claims from creditors.
- Tax Filings — Prepare and file Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax returns (REV-1500/REV-1510) and final income tax returns.
- Asset Distribution — Distribute estate assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the will or Pennsylvania intestacy law.
- Estate Accounting — Prepare formal or informal accountings for beneficiaries and the court.
Trust Administration
If you have been named as a successor trustee, you have fiduciary obligations to manage and distribute trust assets according to the trust document. Our attorneys help trustees understand their duties, manage trust assets, and make distributions correctly.
Why Work with an Attorney?
Mistakes in probate can be costly—from missed tax deadlines to improper asset distributions. An experienced probate attorney ensures the estate is administered correctly, efficiently, and in compliance with Pennsylvania law.
Contact us at (724) 733-3500 to discuss your probate or trust administration needs.