Pennsylvania Probate Hub
Everything executors, administrators, and heirs need to navigate probate in Western Pennsylvania, guides, tools, timelines, and fees agreed up front legal services.
Probate, the court-supervised process of administering a deceased person's estate, can be straightforward or complex depending on the assets, family dynamics, and whether the deceased had a current estate plan. In Pennsylvania, probate is handled at the county level: Westmoreland County estates are filed at the Register of Wills in Greensburg; Allegheny County estates are filed in Pittsburgh. This hub brings together every resource Ament Law Group has published to help Western PA families get through the process.
What Is Probate in Pennsylvania?
Probate is the legal process that transfers a deceased person's assets to their beneficiaries or heirs under court supervision. It involves filing the will (if there is one) with the Register of Wills, appointing an executor or administrator, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing what remains.
Not everything goes through probate, life insurance, retirement accounts, and jointly held property typically pass outside the process. But if the deceased owned real estate or bank accounts solely in their name, probate is generally required in Pennsylvania.
PA Probate Timeline
| Stage | Timeframe | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Open the Estate | Days 1–30 | File will + death certificate at Register of Wills. Obtain short certificates (Letters Testamentary). |
| Inventory & Notice | Months 1–3 | Publish notice to creditors. Collect and inventory assets. Notify beneficiaries. |
| Pay Debts & Taxes | Months 3–9 | File PA inheritance tax return (due 9 months from death). Pay creditor claims. File final income tax returns. |
| Distribute Assets | Months 6–18 | Transfer real estate by deed. Distribute bank and investment accounts. Final accounting to beneficiaries. |
| Close the Estate | Months 9–24+ | File closing statement. Obtain receipts from beneficiaries. File any required court accountings. |
Use our PA Probate Timeline Estimator to get an estimate based on your estate's specifics.
Probate & Estate Administration Services
Probate Administration
Full-service executor representation, from opening the estate to final distribution. Transparent billing, fees agreed up front for most estates.
Westmoreland County Probate
We know the Register of Wills in Greensburg and the local courts. Serving Murrysville, Greensburg, Latrobe, and all of Westmoreland County.
Allegheny County Probate
Estate administration for Allegheny County residents — Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel, Monroeville, Mt. Lebanon, and surrounding communities.
Will Contests & Trust Disputes
Representation for beneficiaries and executors when a will or trust is challenged on grounds of capacity, undue influence, or fraud.
Avoid Probate — Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts, beneficiary designations, and deed planning can keep assets out of probate entirely. Start the conversation now.
PA Fiduciary Guide
Step-by-step guide for executors, administrators, and trustees in Pennsylvania, duties, deadlines, and pitfalls.
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.
Non-Resident Decedent
Ancillary probate and REV-1737-A inheritance tax returns 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.
Free Pennsylvania Probate Tools
PA Probate Timeline Estimator
Estimate your estate's timeline based on asset types and complexity.
Small Estate Checker
Does the estate qualify for Pennsylvania's simplified $50,000 small-estate process?
PA Inheritance Tax Calculator
Estimate inheritance tax by beneficiary relationship and asset value.
First 30 Days Checklist
Immediate steps after a loved one passes in Pennsylvania.
PA Intestacy Calculator
Who inherits when someone dies without a will in Pennsylvania?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?
Most Pennsylvania estates take 9–18 months to fully administer. Simple estates can sometimes close in 6 months; complex estates with real estate sales, disputes, or business interests may take 2–3 years. Use our PA Probate Timeline Estimator for a more specific estimate.
Does every estate have to go through probate in Pennsylvania?
No. Assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts) and jointly held property pass outside probate. Estates under $50,000 in probate assets may qualify for the small-estate process. But if the deceased owned real estate solely in their name, probate is typically required to transfer title. Use our Small Estate Checker to see if a simplified process applies.
What is a short certificate in Pennsylvania?
A short certificate (formally: Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) is issued by the Register of Wills after an estate is opened. It certifies the executor's authority. Banks and brokerage firms require it before releasing estate assets. In Westmoreland County, short certificates are issued in Greensburg. Most institutions require certificates dated within 60–90 days. Read more: What Is a Short Certificate in Pennsylvania?
How much does probate cost in Pennsylvania?
Costs typically include: Register of Wills filing fees (~0.3–0.5% of gross estate in Westmoreland County), attorney fees, PA inheritance tax (0–15% by relationship), and incidental costs like newspaper notices. Total professional fees for a straightforward estate commonly run 3–6% of gross estate value. Read more: How to Minimize Probate Costs in PA.
Do I need an attorney for probate in Pennsylvania?
It's not legally required, but strongly advisable. An attorney ensures correct filing, proper creditor notice, timely inheritance tax returns, and accurate accountings. Executor errors can create personal liability. Attorney fees are paid from the estate. Read more: The Role of an Attorney in Estate Administration.
Probate & Estate Administration Articles
For Executors & Administrators
For Heirs & Beneficiaries
Process & Timeline
Probate by County
Westmoreland County
Register of Wills at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg. Serving Murrysville, Greensburg, Latrobe, Delmont, Jeannette, and all of Westmoreland County.
Allegheny County
Register of Wills in Pittsburgh. Serving Fox Chapel, Monroeville, Plum, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Sewickley, and the Pittsburgh metro area.
Washington, Butler & Fayette Counties
We represent executors and estates throughout Western Pennsylvania. Contact us to discuss your specific county.
Need Help with a Pennsylvania Estate?
Ament Law Group offers probate services with transparent, agreed-upon fees for estates in Westmoreland, Allegheny, and surrounding counties. We guide executors from the first filing to the final distribution.