When a Pennsylvania resident dies with or without a will, his or her probate assets must usually pass through the probate process. Probate, in Pennsylvania, is a court procedure established for the orderly administration of a deceased individual’s estate.
If someone dies without a will, the Register of Wills decides who will be the administrator of the estate. State law describes who may serve as administrator, with the surviving spouse having the first opportunity to serve. The administrator will be responsible for identifying and locating all possible heirs and assets, locating potential creditors and distributing the probate assets of the estate in accordance with the Pennsylvania law.
When a will does exist, which contains the appointment of an Executor the Register of Wills appoints that person to administer the estate, including debts and taxes and distribution of the assets in accordance with the directives of the will.
The attorneys at Gentile Horoho & Avalli, P.C. have extensive experience in administering estates after a person’s death, which can include the preparation of and filing all of the documents needed to properly administer an estate, including:
- Petition for Grant of Letters
- Notice of Estate Administration
- Inventory
- Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return
- Accounting
- Family Settlement Agreement
Whenever probate is required, GHA provides knowledge and services to make the probate process efficient for family members, heirs, administrators, and executors.
