Sound Guidance For Estate Administration And Probate Questions

When a family member or friend has passed and has named you as an executor under his or her will, O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C., attorneys can assist you with the probate and estate administration process.

Since 1955, we have been helping families in Montgomery County by addressing their probate needs. With our collaborative approach, our team works together on examining all angles of a case to gain different perspectives that best fit your situation.

Navigating The Probate Process In Montgomery County

Navigating the probate process in Pennsylvania as an executor can be overwhelming. Aside from upholding your fiduciary duties, you must understand the local requirements to move forward while avoiding potential legal consequences.

You do not have to face this alone, and we are here to assist you. Our estate administration attorney from Norristown, Pennsylvania, offers precise guidance on each phase of the process.

Filing With The Montgomery County Register Of Wills

Probate begins at the Register of Wills office in Norristown. To accommodate busy schedules, virtual probate is possible in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. You have the option to attend Webex video conferences, so you no longer have to travel to the courthouse.

As the executor, you must secure the letters testamentary in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Gathering these documents is crucial:

Original copy of the will and any codicils
Official copy of the decedent’s death certificate
Completed Form RW-02 (Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters)
Valid identification card

Accomplishing this step allows you to move forward with the probate process.

Notifying Creditors And Securing Assets

Your tasks as the appointed executor involve publishing the grant of letters in the Montgomery County Law Reporter and a local newspaper for three successive weeks. This leaves creditors to file a claim within one year of the first publication of the notice.

Moreover, you bear a fiduciary duty to identify, secure and value all probate assets. This means you have to find the decedent’s real estate, personal properties, bank accounts and vehicles. You must submit a formal inventory to the county no later than nine months from the date of death, or when the final estate account is filed, whichever occurs earlier.

Settling Inheritance Taxes And Distributing Assets

You must file the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return form (specifically form REV-1500) within nine months of the date of death. If you submit a prepayment within three months, you may avail a 5% tax discount. Tax rates depend on the beneficiary’s relationship to the deceased, ranging from zero to 15%. The final milestone of probate is distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries according to the decedent’s will.

Skilled Services For The Southern Pennsylvania Area

The probate attorneys at O'Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C., can guide how to best inventory and evaluate estate assets, settle up with creditors, address claims against the estate, meet and mediate with family members, and distribute the assets according to the wishes of the deceased and the law.

Our attorneys can help you navigate the legal probate process and aid in estate administration by sorting through outstanding financial obligations, addressing contested claims and guiding you in the distribution of assets according to the deceased’s wishes. Call 610-323-2800 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment with us.

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