Do you need help with administering an estate in Chester, Pennsylvania? Losing a loved one is hard enough without having to navigate legal filings on your own. ThePeoplesLawFirm.com can guide you through every step of the probate process while you focus on what matters most: your family.
Our firm has been serving families throughout Delaware County for over 26 years. Our Chester estate administration attorneys know Pennsylvania’s probate law inside and out and are confident we can help you make it through what’s to come with the utmost confidence.
Contact our law offices today at (484) 779-9282 for a free consultation. We can answer any questions you might have at that time.
Why Choose Us at ThePeoplesLawFirm?
Probate in Pennsylvania involves strict deadlines, detailed paperwork, and legal responsibilities that can be difficult to manage without professional help. One misstep can lead to costly delays and potentially even personal liability for the person managing the estate.
At ThePeoplesLawFirm.com, we’ve spent more than two decades helping families in Delaware County navigate this process with confidence. Our estate administration attorneys in Chester, PA, can assist you by:
- Filing the necessary paperwork with the Register of Wills
- Helping you gather, secure, and value estate assets
- Ensuring debts and taxes are paid in the proper order
- Preparing and filing the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return
- Distributing assets to beneficiaries according to the will or state law
Contact us today to get started with your case. We can advise you on your legal rights and best plan of action during your free consultation.
Why Should I Establish a Will in Pennsylvania?
If you’ve recently been through the estate administration process for a family member, you’ve seen firsthand why having a plan in place matters. Without a valid will, Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws dictate who receives your assets, and that may not match your wishes. Creating a will allows you to:
- Decide who receives your property and in what amounts
- Name an executor you trust to manage the process
- Designate a guardian for any minor children
- Reduce the likelihood of disputes among family members
Our attorneys can help you draft a will that reflects your intentions and holds up under Pennsylvania law.
Who Is Responsible for Estate Administration After a Death?
The person responsible for managing a deceased person’s estate is called the personal representative. If a will exists, it typically names an executor. If there is no will, the Register of Wills appoints an administrator, usually a close family member. Either way, the personal representative is a fiduciary under Pennsylvania law and must:
- Gather and secure all estate assets
- Notify creditors and pay valid debts
- File the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return within nine months of the date of death
- Distribute remaining assets according to the will or intestacy laws
- File a final accounting with the court to close the estate
The process typically takes between nine and 18 months depending on the estate’s complexity. Having an estate administration attorney on your side can help ensure nothing is missed and that everything moves along efficiently as well.
Call a Chester, PA Estate Administration Lawyer Today
If you need help with estate administration in Chester, PA, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more experienced legal team than ours with ThePeoplesLawFirm.com. Contact our Chester estate administration attorneys today at (484) 779-9282 to schedule a consultation so we can review your situation and help you take the right next steps.
