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 Luzerne 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.
Luzerne County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Guide
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas · 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. Luzerne County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value: $50 (not exceeding $10,000), $85 ($10,000 to $25,000), $120 ($25,000 to $50,000), $155 ($50,000 to $75,000), $190 ($75,000 to $100,000), $260 ($100,000 to $200,000), $500 ($200,000 to $500,000), $1,000 ($500,000 to $1,000,000), $2,000 ($1,000,000 to $2,000,000), plus $200 for each additional $1,000,000. Pre-paid fees at probate add the $41.25 JCS/ATJ fee, a $10 automation fee, a $25 inheritance tax return fee, and a $10 inventory fee. A small estate petition is $50, and a short certificate is $5. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Luzerne County Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court fee schedule, effective November 17, 2025.
Luzerne County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value: $50 (not exceeding $10,000), $85 ($10,000 to $25,000), $120 ($25,000 to $50,000), $155 ($50,000 to $75,000), $190 ($75,000 to $100,000), $260 ($100,000 to $200,000), $500 ($200,000 to $500,000), $1,000 ($500,000 to $1,000,000), $2,000 ($1,000,000 to $2,000,000), plus $200 for each additional $1,000,000. Pre-paid fees at probate add the $41.25 JCS/ATJ fee, a $10 automation fee, a $25 inheritance tax return fee, and a $10 inventory fee. A small estate petition is $50, and a short certificate is $5. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Luzerne County Register of Wills / Clerk of Orphans' Court fee schedule, effective November 17, 2025.
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. An account may be required.
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 ↗Luzerne County Treasurer's Office
Penn Place 3rd Floor, 20 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The County Tax Collection page says the Treasurer collects county taxes for Hazleton, Nanticoke, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittston cities for 2026 and county/municipal taxes for Newport Township, links online property-tax payment, and gives payment period dates and convenience-fee details. The Tax Certification Requests page says the Treasurer only collects county taxes for parcels beginning with 42, 46, 71, 72, and 73, directs other parcels to local tax collectors, and says delinquent issues are handled by Elite Revenue Solutions. Use this as tax collection and delinquency context, not certified payoff or title reporting.
Sources (8)
- https://www.luzernecounty.org/614/Register-of-Wills
- https://www.luzernecounty.org/616/Opening-An-Estate
- https://www.luzernecounty.org/969/Fee-Schedule
- https://www.luzernecounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/19768/Fees-to-Open-Estate
- https://www.luzernecounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/25411/Register-Fees-effective-1-1--2021
- https://www.landex.com/land-records-access.asp
- https://www.searchiqs.com/paluze/
- https://www.pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public/orphans-court-forms