The Short Answer

In Pennsylvania, the “sign-offs” that matter for closing an estate are usually beneficiary receipts/releases (and sometimes refunding agreements) and/or a court-confirmed final account with a decree of distribution. Which route applies depends on whether you are closing informally with agreements or formally through the Orphans’ Court.

Because the personal representative’s liability can continue until the right documents are obtained and the estate is properly distributed, it’s worth having a probate attorney structure the closing so you are protected.

What Pennsylvania Law Says

Pennsylvania law ties “closing” an estate to (1) proper accounting and distribution and (2) limiting the personal representative’s future liability. In many estates, beneficiaries are asked to sign receipts and releases acknowledging what they received and releasing the personal representative. In other estates, the safer (or required) path is a formal account, confirmation, and distribution under court authority.

The Statute

The primary law governing discharge after final accounting and distribution is 20 Pa.C.S. § 3184.

This statute establishes that after confirmation of the final account and distribution to the parties entitled, the court may discharge the personal representative (and surety) from future liability.

Relatedly, Pennsylvania law also provides liability protection when distribution is made under a confirmed account and decree/rule of court. See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3533 (relief of liability for property distributed in conformity with a decree of court or in accordance with rule of court after confirmation of an account).

Why You Should Speak with an Attorney

Even if you have a meeting set up to collect signatures (and plan to email closing documents afterward), the risk is not the meeting logistics—it’s whether the documents you collect actually protect you and satisfy Pennsylvania probate requirements for your estate.

Legal outcomes often depend on:

• Strict Deadlines: Certain protections and creditor-claim timing issues can turn on when letters were granted and advertised and when claims are presented—mistiming distributions can create personal liability exposure.
• Burden of Proof: If a beneficiary later disputes the distribution, you may need to prove what was disclosed, what was approved, and what was actually received—generic “sign-offs” may not be enough.
• Exceptions: Discharge and liability protection often depend on whether there was a properly confirmed account/decree (or whether you distributed “at risk” without court approval), and whether all interested parties (and sometimes creditors) were addressed.

If you are recording the meeting and collecting sign-ins, that may help document consent, but it does not automatically substitute for properly drafted receipts/releases, a compliant settlement agreement, or court confirmation where needed. Trying to handle this alone can lead to disputes, delayed closing, or ongoing exposure after you thought the estate was finished.

If you want more background on the overall closing process, see: What Do I Need to Do to Close a Probate Estate in Pennsylvania?

Get Connected with a Pennsylvania Attorney

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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.