The Short Answer

Yes—often you can. In Pennsylvania, beneficiaries and other “parties in interest” commonly have the right to receive meaningful information about an estate or trust, and you may be able to ask the Orphans’ Court to require a formal accounting if the executor or trustee will not provide adequate records voluntarily.

What Pennsylvania Law Says

Whether you can “require” documents depends on the role your sibling is serving (executor/personal representative vs. trustee) and what you are requesting (a summary accounting vs. underlying backup like bank statements). Pennsylvania law provides mechanisms to force transparency—especially through a court-filed accounting—when informal requests are ignored or when there are red flags about administration.

The Statute

For trusts, the primary law governing a beneficiary’s right to information is 20 Pa.C.S. § 7780.3.

This statute requires a trustee to promptly respond to a reasonable request by a beneficiary of an irrevocable trust for information related to the trust’s administration, and it also describes beneficiaries’ rights to request a copy of the trust instrument and periodic written financial reports.

For estates, Pennsylvania law allows a personal representative (executor/administrator) to be compelled to file an accounting in court after certain time thresholds, and the court can direct an accounting when appropriate. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3501.1. When an account is filed, interested parties receive notice. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3503.

If your situation involves both an estate and a trust, it’s important to separate which assets are probate estate assets (executor controls) versus trust assets (trustee controls). For more background, see Can I force an executor to share estate account information in Pennsylvania? and Can a trust beneficiary demand a full accounting of trust assets and values in Pennsylvania?.

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

While the statutes provide the general right to information and court accountings, applying them to your situation is rarely simple. Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: A personal representative may be cited to file an account after specific time periods, and the court can also order an accounting earlier in some circumstances. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3501.1.
• Burden of Proof: If you suspect missing funds, self-dealing, or improper distributions, you typically need evidence that justifies court involvement—yet much of the evidence is in the fiduciary’s control.
• Exceptions: “Reasonable request” and what must be produced can be disputed (especially for underlying backup like bank statements, third-party records, or older transactions), and the trust terms can expand or limit reporting duties. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 7780.3.

Trying to handle this alone can lead to delays, incomplete disclosures, or missed opportunities to protect your inheritance. A probate attorney can evaluate whether you should demand an informal accounting, petition to compel a formal accounting, object at audit, or pursue remedies for breach of fiduciary duty.

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Disclaimer: This article provides general information under Pennsylvania law and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change frequently. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed attorney.