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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, clerk contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Lancaster 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.

Lancaster County Probate Court Guide

Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas probate court information · Updated May 2026

(717) 295-5994County Clerk
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Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

Source ↗

Probate Filing Fees

Specific fee amounts are not available for this county. Use the current Lancaster County Register of Wills Bill of Costs before quoting a filing total. County notice says fee bills effective 1/1/26 are listed under Bill of Costs and JCP fees changed effective 12/1/25.

Use the current Lancaster County Register of Wills Bill of Costs before quoting a filing total. County notice says fee bills effective 1/1/26 are listed under Bill of Costs and JCP fees changed effective 12/1/25.

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.

  • Original will and codicils

    If a will exists, Pennsylvania probate proof is governed by 20 Pa.C.S. Section 3132 and county Register practice.

  • Petition details for letters

    Section 3153 describes petition contents for letters, including decedent, petitioner, interested-party, estate, and requested-letter details.

  • 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.

  • Inventory materials

    20 Pa.C.S. Section 3301 governs inventory timing after appointment; this is not always an opening-day filing.

  • Small-estate petition and proposed distribution papers(20 Pa.C.S. 3102 petition)

    Use only when the estate may qualify for Pennsylvania small-estate settlement of personal property and the county Orphans' Court accepts the petition.

E-Filing & Filing Methods

Case SearchProbate Forms

Records portal

Use this county-linked source to check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

Open portal
Source foundSearchable, completeness not guaranteedPublic portal

Official Register of Wills page links Search Probate Records through Lancaster County's paperless portal. Treat as useful lookup context, not a complete probate index or certified record response.

Filing Methods: in person, mail

Timelines & Proceedings

Deadlines & Creditor Claims

Key Deadlines

Will Deposit
0 days
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 ↗
Records Search Property Search

Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau

150 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603

(717) 299-8232

Tax Collector Tax Search

Official Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent real estate tax claims and links tax information searches. The county labels delinquent tax reports as not certified and says total due is subject to change.