Yes. Pennsylvania publishes Petition for Grant of Letters (RW-02)20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3155-3157 (persons entitled; nonresidents); § 901 (register’s jurisdiction)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source, filed with the Register of Wills of the county of the decedent’s domicile20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3155-3157 (persons entitled; nonresidents); § 901 (register’s jurisdiction)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. E-filing is open to self-represented filers20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3155-3157 (persons entitled; nonresidents); § 901 (register’s jurisdiction)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
The creditor claim period of 12 months20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3162, 3381-3392, 3532Verified Sep 15, 2026View source protects the personal representative who distributes after it; it is not a bar, and late claims can still reach undistributed assets.
Within 270 days20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3301-3303Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of the personal representative's appointment.
Most Pennsylvania estates close informally: the personal representative distributes at the PR's own risk without filing, auditing, or confirming an account (20 Pa.C.S. § 3532(a)), obtaining a family settlement agreement and receipts/releases from the distributees (§ 3532(c) permits filing them with the clerk); no court account, hearing, or order is required. The formal alternative is a final account filed with the clerk of the Orphans' Court, audited and confirmed by an adjudication or decree of distribution (§§ 3501.1, 3511-3514), and small estates (gross value not exceeding $50,000) may use the simplified petition-for-distribution-and-discharge under § 353120 Pa.C.S. §§ 3501.1, 3502, 3511-3514, 3521, 3531, 3532, 3533; Pa. O.C. Rule 2.4Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Yes. Pennsylvania publishes a statewide formUJS Orphans' Court forms landing page; Form RW-06Verified Sep 23, 2026View source, form RW-06UJS Orphans' Court forms landing page; Form RW-06Verified Sep 23, 2026View source.