Probate & Estate Administration

Wilkes-Barre Estate Administration Lawyer

Dealing with the financial aftermath of a loved one or family member’s death

Losing a loved one can cause emotional wounds that only time can heal. Unfortunately, there are many issues after someone has passed away that need to be addressed in a timely manner. A skilled estate administration lawyer can guide you through the process, meet the timing requirements, help you file all the necessary paperwork and advise you on all the different tasks that need to be completed.

If the deceased person left a legal will, then the person or persons named as executor are responsible for carrying out the wishes of their loved one as expressed in the will. In order for a will to become effective, it must be probated with the Register of Wills by the executor. In order to accomplish this, the Register of Wills must be presented with the following:

  • The most recent, legal will
  • A petition for Grant of Letters
  • A death certificate
  • The probate fee, based upon the size of the probate estate

Once the Grant of Letters is made and an oath is taken, the Register of Wills presents the executor with Letters Testamentary, allowing the process of estate administration to begin.

If there is no will, then surviving family members have to be identified and a proper representative selected to administer the estate according to Pennsylvania law. The law provides a will for those persons who have passed away without creating their own will. In order for the personal representative or administrator to begin his or her duties, he or she must also appear before the Register of Wills with:

  • A petition for Grant of Letters
  • A death certificate
  • The probate fee, based upon the size of the probate estate

Once the Grant of Letters is made and an oath is taken, the Register of Wills presents the personal representative or administrator with Letters Administration, allowing the process of estate administration to begin.

If there is no will, then surviving family members have to be identified and a proper representative selected to administer the estate according to Pennsylvania law. The law provides a will for those persons who have passed away without creating their own will. In order for the personal representative or administrator to begin his or her duties, he or she must also appear before the Register of Wills with:

  • Publication of estate notices
  • Notice of Administration
  • Gather assets
  • Pay debts
  • Taxes levied must be paid
  • Remaining assets must be distributed in accordance with the will
  • If no will exists, assets are distributed in accordance with Pennsylvania intestacy law

Making funeral arrangements, securing the decedent's residence and opening the estate are only the beginning steps. There are specific things that must be accomplished within precise time periods following a loved one's death. My name is Angela F Stevens and I am an estate administration attorney who understands the enormous amount of work and the emotional difficulty that can be involved in this process. That is why I have chosen to help families through estate administration procedures. Compassion, understanding and personalized service are what you will get from the moment you walk through our doors until we have taken care of all the details.

Estate administration problem? We Can Solve It.

Angela F. Stevens, Attorney at Law is a full-service law firm with offices serving the Wilkes-Barre, Kingston and all of the Wyoming Valley including Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming and surrounding cities. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and evenings and weekends by appointment. Feel free to call us toll free at 1-844-PA-SOLVE (1-844-727-6583), 570-718-4900 or contact us online to tell us about how we can help with your questions regarding probate and estate planning.