Probate in Pennsylvania | PA Legal Resources | FastCounsel

Pennsylvania: When Must an Executor File Federal Tax Returns for an Estate?

Do you need to file a federal tax return for an estate when no distributions were made? Detailed Answer This is a common question for executors and personal representatives. Two separate federal filings can be relevant to an estate: the federal estate tax return (Form 706) and the fiduciary (estate) income tax return (Form 1041). […]

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Pennsylvania: Moving Brokerage Account Assets into an Estate Checking Account

Disclaimer: This information is educational only and is not legal advice. For guidance tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or the Register of Wills in the county where the decedent lived. Overview — Who can move brokerage assets into an estate account? When someone dies, how brokerage accounts are handled depends on […]

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Pennsylvania: How to Find Out Exactly Where the Sale Proceeds from Your Dad’s House Will Go

Detailed Answer — how sale proceeds from a deceased person’s home are handled in Pennsylvania When a house that belonged to your dad is sold, the buyer’s check and the eventual distribution of money depend on two things: (1) whether the home was sold before or after your dad’s death, and (2) whether the sale […]

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Prenuptial Agreements, Life Estates, and Executor Access in Pennsylvania

Can a prenuptial agreement affect a life estate or my inheritance in Pennsylvania? Short answer: Yes — a valid prenuptial (premarital) agreement can change how certain property and inheritance rights are treated, including matters that affect life estates and what becomes part of an estate. Whether it affects your specific share depends on what the […]

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Pennsylvania — Confirming an Executor’s Calculation of Your Share from a Sibling’s House Sale

Detailed Answer This explains how to verify that an estate representative (executor or administrator) in Pennsylvania correctly calculated your percentage share from the sale of a decedent’s real property. It describes what documents to request, how to recompute a distribution step-by-step, what Pennsylvania law says about who inherits, and what to do if numbers look […]

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Selling a Deceased Relative's House During Probate in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know

Detailed Answer Yes — it is often possible to sell a decedent’s house while the estate is in probate in Pennsylvania, but whether a sale can happen and how it must be handled depend on several facts: who owned the property, whether there is a mortgage or other secured debt, what authority the personal representative […]

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Selling a Deceased Parent’s House in Pennsylvania: Do You Need to Publish a 3‑Month Creditor Notice?

How Pennsylvania probate and creditor notices affect selling a deceased parent’s house Short answer In Pennsylvania, the streamlined small‑estate procedures that let someone collect personal property without formal probate generally do not allow you to transfer or sell real estate. That means you usually cannot rely on the small‑estate affidavit to sell a house free […]

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Proving Vehicle Value During Probate in Pennsylvania — FAQ

How to Prove the Value of Motor Vehicles During Probate in Pennsylvania Disclaimer: This article explains general information about Pennsylvania probate and vehicle valuation. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney for advice about your specific situation. Detailed Answer When someone dies in Pennsylvania, the personal representative (executor or administrator) must identify, […]

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How to Prove the Value of a Deceased Parent’s Vehicle in Pennsylvania Probate

Proving the Value of a Deceased Parent’s Vehicle in Pennsylvania Probate Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article provides general information about Pennsylvania probate procedures and common ways to prove the value of vehicles for an estate. It is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified Pennsylvania attorney or […]

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How to Become a Limited Personal Representative in Pennsylvania: Small‑Estate Steps for Creditor Notice and Selling Real Property

Limited Personal Representative in Pennsylvania: Small‑Estate Steps to Notify Creditors and Sell Real Property Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article is educational and does not constitute legal advice. For legal help tailored to your situation, contact a licensed Pennsylvania attorney or the Register of Wills/Orphans’ Court in the county where the decedent lived. […]

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