Skip to main content

Pennsylvania Probate Guide

County-specific probate filing-office contacts, filing fees, required forms, and step-by-step guidance for families settling an estate in Pennsylvania.

Find Your County

Types of Probate in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers several probate procedures depending on estate value and circumstances. Counsel is often useful when real estate, creditor risk, tax questions, disputes, unclear heirs, or county packet questions are involved.

See the full comparison of Pennsylvania probate typesWhich procedures exist, who qualifies, and how the timelines compare.

Find your county

Pennsylvania Probate Filing Offices by County

Choose your county to get its probate court contacts, filing fees, and required forms. 67 counties have detailed data.

Show all 67 counties
Full data available: CarbonFull data available: CentreFull data available: ChesterFull data available: ClarionFull data available: ClearfieldFull data available: ClintonFull data available: ColumbiaFull data available: CrawfordFull data available: CumberlandFull data available: DauphinFull data available: DelawareFull data available: ElkFull data available: ErieFull data available: FayetteFull data available: ForestFull data available: FranklinFull data available: FultonFull data available: GreeneFull data available: HuntingdonFull data available: IndianaFull data available: JeffersonFull data available: JuniataFull data available: LackawannaFull data available: LancasterFull data available: LawrenceFull data available: LebanonFull data available: LehighFull data available: LuzerneFull data available: LycomingFull data available: McKeanFull data available: MercerFull data available: MifflinFull data available: MonroeFull data available: MontgomeryFull data available: MontourFull data available: NorthamptonFull data available: NorthumberlandFull data available: PerryFull data available: PhiladelphiaFull data available: PikeFull data available: PotterFull data available: SchuylkillFull data available: SnyderFull data available: SomersetFull data available: SullivanFull data available: SusquehannaFull data available: TiogaFull data available: UnionFull data available: VenangoFull data available: WarrenFull data available: WashingtonFull data available: WayneFull data available: WestmorelandFull data available: WyomingFull data available: York

Want a probate attorney to handle this?

We can connect you with a local attorney in Pennsylvania.

Connect

Settled Estate is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.

Browse Pennsylvania guide topics

Jump to court, executor, tax, planning, property, and probate-avoidance guides that match your next task.

Full guide library

Pennsylvania Probate Self-Help and Online Resources

Pennsylvania Estate Law Overview

Pennsylvania Estate Tax Info

Pennsylvania tax information for estates

No
State Estate Tax
Yes
Inheritance Tax
Yes
State Income Tax
Federal estate tax info

Federal estate tax only applies to estates exceeding $15,000,000 (2026).

Who Inherits Without a Will?

Intestate succession governs probate property when a Pennsylvania resident dies without a valid will.

Pennsylvania Homestead Protection

Information about homestead protection laws.

Exempt Property

Certain property may be exempt from estate creditors.

Pennsylvania Probate Questions

How much does probate cost in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania probate filing fees vary by county and type of administration. According to Pennsylvania court fee schedules, filing fees typically range from $200-$500 depending on the procedure. Additional costs include certified copy fees, publication notice fees ($50-$200), and potential bond premiums. Attorney fees may be statutory or hourly depending on state law. Use our free Pennsylvania fee calculator for county-specific estimates.
How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?
The timeline varies by type: Grant of Letters typically takes Varies by county and estate facts, Section 3102 Small-Estate Petition takes Varies by county and notice order, and Section 3101 Payments Without Letters can often be completed in Varies by holder.
Do I need an attorney for probate in Pennsylvania?
No statewide source in this rollout pass showed a blanket attorney requirement for every Pennsylvania probate filing. Counsel is often useful when real estate, creditor risk, tax questions, disputes, unclear heirs, or county packet questions are involved.
Are these Pennsylvania probate resources county-specific?
No. This map shows state-level source links from Settled data. Use it with the Pennsylvania county page and the county office handling the estate before filing.
Which Pennsylvania source should I use first?
Start with the official court, form, or agency source for the task, then confirm local requirements with the county filing office, clerk, register, or office that accepts the filing.
Does the Pennsylvania Probate Resource Map replace attorney review?
No. The map is source navigation. It helps families find current public sources, but it does not decide eligibility, prepare filings, or replace advice from counsel.