Estates and Probate | Philadelphia County, PA Will Probate Lawyer
The Martin Law Firm, located in Blue Bell, PA, regularly assists Philadelphia County executors and administrators with Pennsylvania Will probate and the estate administration process. When a person dies in Pennsylvania, his or her estate must be handled throughout the appropriate county Register of Wills office.
What is Will Probate?
Will probate in Philadelphia County, PA is defined as "proving" a Will by submission of the Last Will and Testament of a decedent to the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills. The Register of Wills determines the validity of the Will. If the Will is deemed valid, the Philadelphia Register of Wills grants Letters Testamentary to the executor named in the Will, and the executor is then responsible for complying with Pennsylvania law for probate and estate administration. For an intestate estate, the Register of Wills will appoint an administrator for estate and issue Letters of Administration.
City of Philadelphia Register of Wills
All Philadelphia County, PA Will probate and estate administration matters must be handled through the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills office. The City of Philadelphia Register of Wills is located in Room 180, City Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19107, and the telephone number is 215-686-6250.
The City of Philadelphia Register of Wills office plays an important role in the Pennsylvania estate administration process. The Register of Wills is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the executor or administrator complies with all Pennsylvania state laws. For example, the executor or administrator, usually through an experienced Philadelphia probate lawyer, must certify to the Philadelphia Register of Wills that all beneficiaries of the estate have received notice of the administration of the estate. The Philadelphia Register of Wills also serves as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the collection of state inheritance taxes.
Responsibilities of an Executor or Administrator for a Philadelphia Estate
For a Philadelphia estate, an executor or administrator’s responsibilities are numerous, complicated, and can be difficult without appropriate guidance or resources. For these reasons, an executor or administrator of an estate usually retains an experienced Philadelphia, PA probate lawyer to ensure that the estate is properly administered. Failure to administer a Pennsylvania estate properly can result in personal liability for the executor or administrator.
Some common tasks associated with the Philadelphia, PA estate administration process are as follows: notice to estate beneficiaries with certification of notice to the City of Philadelphia Register of Wills; notice to estate creditors; establishment of an estate bank account; proper distribution of estate assets; payment of estate debts; managing claims made against the estate; completion and filing of an Estate Inventory; preparation and filing of PA Inheritance Tax Returns (REV-1500); preparation and filing of federal estate tax returns; and formal closing of the estate. The executor or administrator is also responsible for resolving any Orphans' Court litigation that arises throughout the course of the estate administration.
Will Probate Lawyer | Philadelphia County, PA
If you are named as an executor or administrator for an estate in Philadelphia, Manyunk, Chestnut Hill, or anywhere throughout Philadelphia County, PA, an experienced Will probate lawyer from The Martin Law Firm can help. A skilled probate lawyer from The Martin Law Firm can help ease the burden associated with Philadelphia Will probate and estate administration. Contact The Martin Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia Will probate lawyer.