What is Probate and Estate Administration?

Probate in Pennsylvania is the legal process that administers the distribution of a deceased person’s assets. When a person dies in Pennsylvania owning any assets in their name, an estate will need to be probated, whether or not there is a will. The intention of probate is to ensure the proper collection of estate assets, settlement of any debts, payment of any taxes due, and that any remaining property is distributed to the decedent’s beneficiaries or heirs. If the decedent had a will, the assets will be distributed according to the terms of the will. If the decedent did not have a will, the estate assets will be distributed according to Pennsylvania intestacy laws. The process begins with having an Executor or Administrator appointed to administer the estate by the Register of Wills in the county where the decedent resided.