Frequently Asked Questions

No. Living persons do not have wills on file at the Register of Wills office. Original wills are usually kept secure by the attorney who prepared the will, in the vault of a trust department, or in a safe deposit box belonging to the testator (person who wrote the will).

Being named does not confer any authority until the will is probated. This authority is granted by the Register of Wills in a document called Letters.

Because a short certificate is our certification that an estate proceeding is on record in our office, we can only issue them after the estate is raised. You may purchase as many short certificates as necessary from the Register's Office at any time after the formal opening of an estate or probate of will.

If we do not have an estate, we cannot issue a short certificate - regardless of what the banks, post office, or others may have told you.

• Attorney/Bank certified check or U.S. money order (cash is also acceptable) to cover probate fees (based on value of estate)
  • No personal/estate checks will be accepted for county fees
  • Butler county legal journal fee must be paid by check (newspaper ad is your responsibility)
• Certified English translation if will is written in a foreign language
• An original  death certificate
• An original Will, codicil (if applicable)
• Personal appearance of executor(s)
• Typed, conformed copy of any handwritten will
• A typed/electronically printed petition for probate and grant of letters
  • No handwritten documents are accepted for filing
• Witnesses to will (not necessary if will is self-proven) or notarized affidavit of subscribing witness(es)
  • Any flaw in the self-proving affidavit may require witnesses' signatures

No. Wills are accepted for probate only in the county where the decedent was legally domiciled at the time of death.

No, that would be the unauthorized practice of law. It is the duty and obligation of the personal representative (executor or administrator) to know what must be done, when it must be done, and how it must be done.  If you have no knowledge of the legal administrative process for estates and/or the fiduciary laws of Pennsylvania, you should seek the help of legal counsel.

The Register of Wills and staff are not licensed to give legal advice. Professionals could actually save time and money in the long run due to their knowledge and experience.

Where there is no will, the process is basically the same but uses different terminology. An Administrator is appointed pursuant to the Intestate Succession laws. The Register of Wills Grants Letters of Administration. The decedent's estate is then distributed according to a formula which is also set forth by law. These "intestacy" laws name the beneficiaries and the amount to which they are entitled. Contrary to the scare tactics of modern advertisements, the state does not take your assets.

Yes. Probate, Estates, and Fiduciaries Code Section 3101 authorizes any bank/financial institution to release up to $10,000 to surviving spouse, any child, mother/father, sibling of the decedent without a short certificate. You will need to furnish an original death certificate and a copy of the paid funeral bill (or an Affidavit from the funeral director that satisfactory arrangements have been made for the payment).

If you have problems with any bank refusing to follow the statutes, please contact us with the details including date, branch, decedent's name, and to whom you spoke. We will forward your complaint to the Pennsylvania Banking Commission.

Insurance companies may release up to $11,000 to named family members rather than to the estate.

All petitions for letters must include:

• Notarized Renunciations (where applicable)
• Notarized subscribing Witness forms (where applicable)
• Original death certificate
• Original typed/electronically printed petition
• Original will (if any)
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope of adequate size and postage (if you want Letters mailed)

No certificates/letters may be issued until all procedures have been completed and requisite forms duly executed, fees paid. All fees must be paid at the time of filing.

• All Orphans' Court filings must have cover sheet with Attorney information (name, ID number, phone number, fax, email, etc.).
• Include only one name per case number/filing.
• Original death certificate, original Will (if any), Consents/Joinders, and copy of REV1500 must be included in all Small Estate Petitions. Two original REV1500 must be filed with the Register of Wills prior to or simultaneously with the Small Estate Petition.
• Orphans' Court captions must be correct. If not, you will be required to file a Motion to Correct Caption. A "per correction" fee will be charged in addition to filing fees

All other requests for mailings (e.g, certified orders, receipts, photocopies, etc.) must include self-addressed, stamped envelope of adequate size and postage to cover request.