Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
Try our genealogy search engine
This page provides information on accessing wills and probate records in the Commonwealth Pennsylvania. These records are vital resources for both legal professionals and genealogists, offering insights into estate distribution, family relationships, and historical context.
Understanding the processes involved in wills and probate is important for anyone managing a loved one's estate or planning their own. In Pennsylvania, the Register of Wills and the Orphans' Court handle these vital matters.
Pennsylvania wills and probate records have been recorded on a county level since the origin of the Commonwealth in 1682. You can find wills, probate records and estate documents in the county clerk's office where the executor filed the paperwork. You can get access to estate information related to the Will if it has gone through the probate process and become public record.
Register of Wills
In the Commonwealth of Pennslyvania, the County Register of Wills handles the probate of wills and granting of letters to executors or administrators. They also serve as the agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in collecting inheritance tax.
Important Considerations
- Estate Planning: It is crucial to understand that even with a will, probate may be necessary in Pennsylvania for certain assets. Consulting with an estate planning attorney can help ensure your wishes are carried out and potentially streamline the process for your loved ones.
- Inheritance Tax: Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax, and the rates vary depending on the relationship between the decedent and the beneficiary.
- Small Estates: Estates valued at less than $50,000 (excluding real estate) may qualify for a simplified probate process known as "settlement by affidavit" or "summary administration".
Legal Disclaimer: While we will provide information, it's crucial to clarify that it's not legal advice and recommend consulting with a Pennsylvania estate attorney for specific situations.
Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records by County
- Adams County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Allegheny County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Armstrong County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Beaver County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Bedford County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Berks County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Blair County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Bradford County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Bucks County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Butler County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Cambria County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Cameron County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Carbon County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Centre County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Chester County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Clarion County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Clearfield County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Clinton County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Columbia County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Crawford County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Cumberland County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Dauphin County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Delaware County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Elk County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Erie County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Fayette County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Forest County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Franklin County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Fulton County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Green County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Huntingdon County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Indiana County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Jefferson County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Juniata County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Lackawanna County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Lancaster County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Lawrence County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Lebanon County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Lehigh County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Luzerne County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Lycoming County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- McKean County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Mercer County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Mifflin County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Monroe County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Montgomery County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Montour County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Northampton County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Northumberland County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Perry County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Philadelphia County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Pike County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Potter County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Schuylkill County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Snyder County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Somerset County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Sullivan County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Susquehanna County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Tioga County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Union County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Venango County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Warren County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Washington County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Wayne County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Westmoreland County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- Wyoming County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
- York County Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Records
Pennsylvania Wills and Probate Books for Sale
Virginia Court Records in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Records of the District of West Augusta and Ohio and Yohogania Counties, Virginia 1775-1780
Author: Crumrine, Boyd
Publication Date: 1902, 1905
Reprint Date: 2007
Pages: vi 542 pp.
ISBN: 9780806306247