Detailed Answer

Overview. The steps below explain, in plain language, how to handle a deceased parent’s estate under Pennsylvania law. This is a general guide only. Your facts may change which steps apply. This is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney for specific guidance.

Hypothetical facts to illustrate the process

Example: Your mother (a Pennsylvania resident) died leaving a handwritten will, a single-family home titled in her name, a bank account, a retirement account with a named beneficiary, and several personal items. She named you as executor in the will.

Step-by-step actions to handle the estate

1. Obtain multiple certified death certificates.

   Ask the funeral home or the county register of deaths for several certified copies (banks, insurance companies, and the Register of Wills will require them). Keep the originals secure.

2. Locate the original will and important documents.

   Search the home, safe deposit box, email, and any filing system for the original will, deeds, life insurance policies, beneficiary designations, account statements, and titles. If you find only a copy, the court can sometimes accept it, but the original is preferred.

3. Contact the Register of Wills in the county where your mother lived.

   If there is a will, file it with the county Register of Wills to begin probate (petition for grant of letters). If there is no will, the court will open an intestate estate and appoint an administrator. Pennsylvania’s laws governing decedents’ estates and fiduciaries are in Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes; see the statutory title here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/cons_check.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=20.

4. Get appointed as personal representative (executor or administrator).

   The Register of Wills or Orphans’ Court will issue letters (Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration) giving you authority to act for the estate. If the will named an executor and the court accepts it, that person usually receives priority for appointment.

5. Secure and inventory estate assets.

   Lock and secure the home, collect keys, and inventory personal property. Make a list of bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, investments, pensions, and any digital accounts. Note which assets have beneficiary designations or are jointly owned — these may pass outside probate.

6. Determine whether full probate is required or a simplified procedure applies.

   Some assets (joint accounts, transfer-on-death designations, named beneficiaries) avoid probate. Small estate procedures or collection affidavits may work for modest personal property. Check with the Register of Wills in the decedent’s county to confirm available procedures.

7. Notify beneficiaries and known creditors; handle creditor claims.

   Provide notice to beneficiaries named in the will and known creditors. Pennsylvania law has procedures and timelines for creditor claims handled through the estate administration process; the Register of Wills or an attorney can explain the local requirements and any notice or publication steps the court may require.

8. Collect assets and pay valid debts and expenses.

   Use estate funds to pay funeral costs, taxes, reasonable administrative expenses, and valid creditor claims. Keep careful records and receipts for every disbursement.

9. File tax returns and pay applicable taxes on time.

   File your mother’s final federal and state income tax returns for the year of death. For Pennsylvania inheritance tax matters (filing, rates, and deadlines), consult the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue guidance: https://www.revenue.pa.gov/GeneralTaxInformation/Tax%20Types%20and%20Information/Pennsylvania%20Inheritance%20Tax/Pages/default.aspx. Generally, the personal representative must file the inheritance tax return and pay tax within nine months of death unless an extension is granted. Also consider federal estate tax rules if the estate’s value may reach the federal threshold (see the IRS: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax).

10. Prepare and file an inventory and, if required, accountings with Orphans’ Court.

    Pennsylvania courts may require an estate inventory and a final accounting before distribution. The accounting shows all assets in, expenses paid, and distributions out. The Register of Wills or Orphans’ Court clerk can provide local filing requirements.

11. Distribute remaining assets.

    After debts, taxes, and expenses are paid and the court approves distributions, transfer property to beneficiaries according to the will or, if there is no will, under Pennsylvania intestacy rules (found in Title 20). For intestate succession rules, see Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/cons_check.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=20.

12. Close the estate.

    Once distributions are made and any required filings are accepted by the court, petition the court to close the estate. Retain records for several years in case of later claims.

What if there is no will?

If your mother died without a will (intestate), the Orphans’ Court will appoint an administrator and the estate will pass under Pennsylvania’s intestacy statutes. Immediate family members receive priority. The same administration, tax, and creditor procedures generally apply, but the distribution follows statutory shares rather than the decedent’s instructions. See Title 20, Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes for intestacy provisions: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/cons_check.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=20.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Don’t distribute assets before you are formally appointed as personal representative unless you have clear authority.
• Don’t ignore tax filing deadlines — penalties can be significant.
• Don’t assume joint ownership or beneficiary designations are invalid; verify how each asset is titled.
• Keep careful, dated records and receipts for every estate transaction.

Helpful Hints

• Order several (10–20) certified death certificates early. Many institutions require an original certified copy.
• Look for safe deposit boxes, digital account credentials, and paper records. Check mail and email for incoming notices.
• Freeze or monitor major accounts to prevent fraud, but don’t abruptly close accounts before you have authority—banks usually require Letters Testamentary/Administration.
• If a retirement account has a named surviving beneficiary (e.g., spouse or child), it typically passes outside probate directly to that person.
• Get a probate checklist from the county Register of Wills office — counties often provide forms and procedural guidance.
• Consider hiring an attorney for estates with real estate disputes, complex taxes, business interests, or contested wills. An attorney can prepare petitions, inventory, and accountings and represent the estate in Orphans’ Court.
• Keep beneficiaries informed. Clear communication reduces the chance of misunderstandings and disputes.

Where to find official resources

• Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (Title 20, Decedents, Estates, and Fiduciaries): https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/cons_check.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=20
• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue — Inheritance Tax information: https://www.revenue.pa.gov/GeneralTaxInformation/Tax%20Types%20and%20Information/Pennsylvania%20Inheritance%20Tax/Pages/default.aspx
• Federal estate tax information (IRS): https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estate-tax
• Contact the Register of Wills in the county where the decedent lived for local forms and filing procedures.

Final note / disclaimer: This article explains general steps under Pennsylvania law and uses a hypothetical scenario for illustration. It is educational only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, contact a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or the local Register of Wills.