Pennsylvania Last Will and Testament

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Pennsylvania Last Will and Testament

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Last updated May 28th, 2026

A Pennsylvania last will and testament communicates instructions for the distribution of an individual’s estate after death. The document allows the testator to specify beneficiaries, provide instructions for settling debts, and appoint an executor to manage estate administration.

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A Pennsylvania last will and testament communicates instructions for the distribution of an individual’s estate after death. The document allows the testator to specify beneficiaries, provide instructions for settling debts, and appoint an executor to manage estate administration.

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State Laws

  • Minimum Age – 18.[1]
  • Signing Requirements – Testator.[2]
  • How to Revoke – Destroying the will, executing a revocation document, or creating a new will.[3]

Probate in Pennsylvania

Petition for Probate of Will

To admit the will to probate and obtain Letters Testamentary (the authority to manage the estate), the named executor must file the below with the register of wills[4]:

In some cases, the petitioner may need to post bond before receiving the Letters.[5] Once granted, the executor must publish a notice to creditors and provide interested parties with a Notice of Estate Administration (Form RW-07).[6] They must then file an Inventory (Form RW-09) and Certification of Notice (Form RW-08).[7]

After settling the estate’s taxes and debts, the executor must have an Accounting approved by beneficiaries through a signed Receipt and Release.[8] The executor must then distribute assets and file a Status Report (Form RW-10) along with the Receipt.[9]

Small Estates

Estates can be distributed without full probate administration using a Petition for Settlement of a Small Estate if the total value is $50,000 or less (excluding real estate and certain personal property).[10]

Sources

  1. § 2501
  2. § 2502
  3. § 2505
  4. §§ 3151, 3153,  3161, Begin the Probate Process, Dept. of Revenue
  5. §§ 3171, 3174
  6. § 3162(a), 231 Pa. Code § 10.5(a)
  7. § 3301, 231 Pa. Code § 10.5(d)
  8. Instructions for REV-1500 (Who Must File), Guide to Legal Issues for PA pg. 19, 231 Pa. Code § 10.6(b)(3) & (5)
  9. 231 Pa. Code § 10.6(b)(5) & (c)
  10. § 3102