Use This County Probate Reference Before You File
This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Register of Wills and Orphans' Court contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Forest County.
Local Fee Schedule
Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.
Court Rules and Orders
Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.
Clerk and Filing Logistics
Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.
Forest County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Guide
Thirty Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania · Register of Wills and Orphans' Court information · Updated May 2026
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Filing & Fees
Fee Schedule Signals
Source ↗Probate Filing Fees
Specific fee amounts are not available for this county. Forest County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value and already include the $41.25 JCS surcharge: $61.25 (not exceeding $1,000), $67.25 ($1,000 to $5,000), $78.25 ($5,000 to $10,000), $83.25 ($10,000 to $20,000), $88.25 ($20,000 to $30,000), $93.25 ($30,000 to $40,000), $98.25 ($40,000 to $50,000), $103.25 ($50,000 to $75,000), $108.25 ($75,000 to $100,000), plus $30 for each additional $100,000. A short certificate is $3. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Forest County Register of Wills fee schedule.
Forest County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value and already include the $41.25 JCS surcharge: $61.25 (not exceeding $1,000), $67.25 ($1,000 to $5,000), $78.25 ($5,000 to $10,000), $83.25 ($10,000 to $20,000), $88.25 ($20,000 to $30,000), $93.25 ($30,000 to $40,000), $98.25 ($40,000 to $50,000), $103.25 ($50,000 to $75,000), $108.25 ($75,000 to $100,000), plus $30 for each additional $100,000. A short certificate is $3. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Forest County Register of Wills fee schedule.
Required Documents
- County Register of Wills probate or administration petition packet(County ROW packet)
Opening forms are county-specific. Use the current Register of Wills packet for the county where probate or administration is being opened.
- Certified death certificate
Registers of Wills commonly require a certified death certificate for opening letters; confirm copy count and accepted format with the county office.
- Renunciations, consents, or bond papers
Whether these are needed depends on the will, priority to serve, bond requirements, and county packet instructions.
- Short certificate or certified-copy request
Request after appointment when banks, title companies, agencies, or other holders need certified proof of authority.
E-Filing & Filing Methods
Records portal
Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.
Timelines & Proceedings
Deadlines & Creditor Claims
Key Deadlines
- Will Deposit
- Verify locally
- Creditor Claims
- 12 months
- Known Creditor Notice
- 60 days
Creditor Claims
- Period Starts
- first complete advertisement of grant of letters
- Statute
- 20 Pa.C.S. Section 3532
Publication Requirements
Related Proceedings
Property Recording
Source ↗Recording Fees
- First Page
- $74.75
Documentary Stamps
- Deed Rate
- Pennsylvania realty transfer tax is generally 1% at the state level; local transfer-tax treatment, statements of value, and exemptions require recorder and Department of Revenue review.
Forest County Tax Claim Bureau
Forest County Courthouse, First Floor, 526 Elm Street, Box 10, Tionesta, PA 16353
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Tax Claim Bureau page provides delinquent-tax, tax-sale, judicial-sale, repository, municipal tax collector, and millage-rate context. It names the Tax Claim Director and Property Records Manager and says 2026 tax-sale information will be posted when available. Use the bureau and local tax collector directory for current tax, delinquency, and sale context; do not treat this as a certified payoff or title report.