Pennsylvania Probate Costs: County Fee Checks and Tax Categories
Compare cost categories and source checks for common probate options in Pennsylvania.
Quick Summary
- Letters Filing
- CountyRegister of Wills schedule
- Small Estate
- $50KSection 3102 personal property cap
- Publication
- 3 weeksAfter grant of letters
- Inheritance Tax
- 0-15%Relationship-based rates
Pennsylvania does not have one statewide probate fee table. Use this page for cost categories and source checks, then confirm the current fee schedule with the Register of Wills or Orphans' Court in the filing county.
Typical Total Cost Ranges
Estimate your county’s exact feesProbate Cost by Procedure
Swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Procedure | Estate Size | Court Fee | Timeline | Attorney? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant of Letters | Any estate that needs letters testamentary or letters of administration | County schedule, often value-based | Begins when the Register of Wills accepts the petition | No statewide blanket requirement found | Estates that need a personal representative with formal authority |
| Section 3102 Small-Estate Petition | $50,000 or less in qualifying personal property | County Orphans' Court schedule | Varies by county and notice order | No statewide blanket requirement found | Small personal-property estates where the court can direct distribution |
| Section 3101 Limited Payments Without Letters | Only the payment categories and caps in Section 3101 | Usually no letters filing for the payment itself | Depends on the holder and required proof | No | Limited wages, deposits, patient-care accounts, insurance payable to estate, or unclaimed property |
| Formal Orphans' Court Account or Petition | When court review, audit, dispute, or order is needed | County Orphans' Court schedule | Court-calendar dependent | Often useful | Accountings, objections, disputed administration, or requested court instructions |
Additional Costs to Expect
Register of Wills Opening Fees
The filing county may base letters fees on the gross probate value reported in the petition, and may add state, automation, notice, inventory, tax-return, short-certificate, copy, or card-processing charges. A register may establish or change these fees by order of court under 42 P.S. Section 21022.1. In the published Philadelphia and Bucks County schedules, a short certificate is listed at $10.00 each.
Small-Estate Petition Filing
Section 3102 petitions are filed in Orphans' Court. Counties may charge a petition fee, first-filing state and automation fees, and copy or certification fees.
Publication / Notice
After letters are granted, Pennsylvania requires advertisement once a week for three successive weeks in the required newspaper and any designated legal periodical.
Personal Representative Compensation
Pennsylvania does not use the percentage schedule shown for some other states. Section 3537 allows compensation that is reasonable and just in the circumstances.
Inheritance Tax
Pennsylvania inheritance tax is separate from court filing cost. Rates are set under 72 P.S. Section 9116; a parent inheriting from a child aged 21 or younger and charitable and exempt institutions pay 0 percent. It becomes delinquent nine months after death, and the Department of Revenue describes a 5% discount when paid within three months. Avoiding probate does not by itself avoid inheritance tax, which can still apply to non-probate transfers.
Real Estate Recording and Transfer Items
Pennsylvania Revenue describes a 1% state realty transfer tax and says property passed by testate or intestate succession is exempt. Recorder fees, statement-of-value handling, and local taxes still need county review.
One more cost source to check: if the person who died received Medicaid long-term care benefits, the state may file a recovery claim against the estate. The Pennsylvania Medicaid estate recovery guide explains when that applies.