How can I close an estate bank account and obtain the required closing statement in PA?
Detailed answer: How to close an estate bank account and get the required closing statement in Pennsylvania This guide explains, in plain language, what an estate bank account is, what steps an executor (personal representative) or administrator must take to close that account in Pennsylvania, and how to get the closing statement or final accounting […]
Read article →Is probate administration required when there is no will in Pennsylvania (PA)?
Do you need probate administration when someone dies without a will in Pennsylvania? Detailed answer — what Pennsylvania law requires Short answer: Usually yes for many assets. When a person dies without a will (intestate) in Pennsylvania, the estate often must go through probate administration so a court-appointed administrator can collect assets, pay debts and […]
Read article →How to properly document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate — PA
How to properly document and file receipts for payments to heirs or service providers in an estate (PA) Summary / Quick answer When administering an estate in Pennsylvania, keep clear, contemporaneous records for every payment the estate makes. For payments to heirs, obtain signed receipts and releases. For payments to vendors or service providers, keep […]
Read article →How can next of kin qualify to be appointed as the estate administrator? — PA
How a Next of Kin Can Qualify to Be Appointed as the Estate Administrator in Pennsylvania This FAQ-style guide explains, in plain language, what a next of kin needs to do to be appointed as the administrator (personal representative) of a deceased person's estate under Pennsylvania law. This is general information only and not legal […]
Read article →What documents are required to apply for probate appointment and oath in Pennsylvania (PA)?
Detailed answer: Applying for probate appointment and taking the oath in Pennsylvania This FAQ-style guide explains the common documents and steps needed when someone applies for a probate appointment (letters of administration or letters testamentary) and takes the fiduciary oath in Pennsylvania. This is a general guide only — rules and required forms can vary […]
Read article →Which statements and financial documents are required for annual and final probate accountings in Pennsylvania (PA)?
Annual and Final Probate Accountings in Pennsylvania: What Statements and Financial Documents You Need Short answer: For both annual and final accountings in Pennsylvania, a fiduciary generally must prepare a clear, itemized accounting that shows all receipts, disbursements, assets on hand, distributions, and supporting documents (bank statements, cancelled checks or paid invoices, appraisals, tax returns, […]
Read article →What steps can heirs take to resolve an elective share dispute through mediation in Pennsylvania (PA)?
Resolve an Elective Share Dispute Through Mediation in Pennsylvania Detailed answer — how heirs can mediate an elective share dispute under Pennsylvania law This section explains, in plain language, the practical steps heirs can take to resolve a dispute about a surviving spouse’s elective share of a decedent’s estate in Pennsylvania. This is educational only […]
Read article →What is the process for negotiating a creditor’s payoff amount in estate administration in Pennsylvania (PA)?
How to Negotiate a Creditor’s Payoff Amount During Estate Administration in Pennsylvania Detailed Answer — Step‑by‑step process under Pennsylvania law This answer explains, in plain language, how negotiation of creditor payoffs typically works when someone dies and an estate is being administered in Pennsylvania. It describes the practical steps an estate personal representative (executor or […]
Read article →What steps can be taken to verify or contest a creditor’s payoff quote on an estate debt? (PA)
How to Verify or Contest a Creditor’s Payoff Quote on an Estate Debt (Pennsylvania) Quick summary: When a creditor gives a payoff quote for a debt of a decedent, the estate representative (executor/administrator), beneficiaries, or interested parties should verify the quote’s accuracy, confirm the creditor’s right to collect, and, if necessary, formally dispute the claim […]
Read article →How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case — PA
Detailed Answer: How to submit an affidavit accounting for personal property in a small estate case in Pennsylvania When a person dies leaving only a small amount of personal property, Pennsylvania law lets certain heirs or beneficiaries collect that property without a full probate administration by using a small-estate affidavit (sometimes called an affidavit for […]
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