OptionalA Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters can be filed online through the Register of Wills e-filing system, with an account a self-represented filer or an attorney creates; the documents are uploaded, the fee is paid by credit card and, once the filing is accepted, the oath is taken on a Zoom video call. The original documents then go to the Doylestown office by tracked mail or the drop box. Guardians may file the inventory and annual reports through the statewide Guardianship Tracking System.
Filing in person
Walk-ins acceptedThe main office conducts both virtual and in-person appointments, and a petition can also be e-filed with the oath taken by video call. At the Levittown satellite office appointments are recommended and receive priority; the Quakertown satellite office is open Thursdays only, and appointments are recommended there.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe probate page lists the documents an estate needs, whether filed online or brought in, and staff review the filing and say what else is needed. Free interpreters for a probate appointment are available through Bucks County Court Administration.
Accepted payment
At the counterCash, Check, Money order, Credit card.In person, the probate fee may be paid by cash, check, money order or credit card; an e-filed petition is paid by credit card. Card payments carry a service fee on a sliding scale.
County forms
Register of Wills Bill of CostsThe Register of Wills fee schedule for letters, inventories, certifications and other filings, effective October 1, 2025.
Fax
1-215-348-6156
Departments
Lower Bucks County satellite office (Levittown)1-267-580-3585 · Lower Bucks County Government Service Center, 7321 New Falls Road, Levittown, PA 19055 · Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:00 PMPetitions for grant of letters are taken in person here as well as in Doylestown. Appointments are recommended and receive priority.
Upper Bucks County satellite office (Quakertown)1-215-348-6266 · Upper Bucks County Government Service Center, 261 California Road, Quakertown, PA 18951 · Thursday 9:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:00 PMOpen Thursdays only. Appointments are recommended.
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Bucks County, probate runs through the Orphans' Court at Bucks County Administration Building, 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown. Probate e-filing in Bucks County goes through buckscounty.gov, which no other Pennsylvania county uses.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Pennsylvania intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Pennsylvania estates take 9 months to 14 months to move through this process. Creditors have 12 months20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3162, 3381-3392, 3532Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Bucks County
What probate costs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Orphans' Court at Bucks County Administration Building, 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown.
The Orphans' Court charges $50 - $950+ (based on estate value)42 P.S. § 21022.1; 42 Pa.C.S. § 3733; 204 Pa. Code § 29.351(c), (g)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Pennsylvania are negotiated, typically 1.9%Modeled estimate under In re Trust Estate of LaRocca, 431 Pa. 542, 246 A.2d 337 (1968); In re Estate of Preston, 560 A.2d 160, 165 (Pa. Super. 1989); Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168 (no statutory fee schedule): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%Modeled estimate under In re Trust Estate of LaRocca, 431 Pa. 542, 246 A.2d 337 (1968); In re Estate of Preston, 560 A.2d 160, 165 (Pa. Super. 1989); Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168 (no statutory fee schedule): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Pennsylvania allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay20 Pa.C.S. § 3537 (compensation "reasonable and just"; no statutory percentage); In re Estate of Sonovick, 541 A.2d 374, 376 (Pa. Super. 1988); Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Pennsylvania requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3171, 3174 (bond before letters except as § 3174 provides; a PA-resident PR named in the will or sole residuary legatee excused); § 3175 (bond may still be required)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Pennsylvania typically runs 9 months to 14 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Orphans' Court
Probate documents in Bucks County can be filed in person at the Orphans' Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available. Electronic probate filing sets Bucks County apart — only 15 Pennsylvania counties accept it, with the rest filing on paper.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Lower Bucks County satellite office (Levittown) and Upper Bucks County satellite office (Quakertown).
Can You File Without an Attorney?
In Pennsylvania, informal probate is available20 Pa.C.S. § 901 (register jurisdiction over probate and letters), § 3155 (register grants letters), § 908 (appeal from the register's decree to the Orphans' Court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Document Requirements
Originals follow an e-filed petition by tracked mail or drop box
After an e-filed petition is accepted, the original documents go to the Doylestown office by tracked mail (Certified US Post, FedEx or UPS) or to the drop box in the vestibule of the Court Street entrance, with a prepaid return envelope. The short certificates are released once the originals are reviewed.
Filed with the opening petition at the Orphans' Court: Original will and any codicils, presented to the Register of Wills of the county of the decedent’s last family or principal residence (20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3131, 3132); Original (raised-seal) death certificate, presented at the county Register of Wills — county intake practice, not a statutory, rule, or statewide-form requirement for a grant of letters; Completed RW-02 Petition for Grant of Letters (rev. 10/11/2011), including the Oath of Personal Representative on page 220 Pa.C.S. §§ 3155-3157 (persons entitled; nonresidents); § 901 (register’s jurisdiction)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Coroner in Bucks County
In Bucks County certified copies of the death certificate come from Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records; the Local Registrar files the certificate and issues no copies to the public.
Vital Records Office Record
Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Recorder of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Bucks County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at 55 East Court Street, 6th Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901. Phone: 1-215-348-6209. Hours: Monday-Friday 7:45 AM-4:15 PM.
The Recorder of Deeds charges $83 for the first 4 pages plus $4 for each page beyond 4.
Bucks County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC and ePN.
County fee schedule adopted under the Recorder of Deeds Fee Law (Act 87 of 1982, 16 P.S. § 11011-1 et seq.), 42 Pa.C.S. § 3733(a.1)(1)(v), and 53 Pa.C.S. § 6011
Pennsylvania allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Bucks County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Pennsylvania are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Bucks County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Orphans' Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Doylestown firm, founded in 1992, whose Estates & Trusts Group represents clients in Bucks and Montgomery counties and the Greater Philadelphia area. Administers and probates estates and trusts of all sizes for individual executors, administrators and trustees, keeps fiduciary accountings, and prepares federal and state estate and inheritance tax returns and fiduciary income tax returns. Handles Orphans' Court will, trust and inheritance disputes and guardianship proceedings for adult incapacitated persons.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 8 more
Langhorne firm, in practice since 1933, serving Bucks County with a second office in New Hope. Assists executors in probating the will and families in appointing an administrator where there is no will, through death-tax payment and distribution, and litigates will challenges based on competence, authenticity or undue influence, contested trusts and self-dealing claims against a personal representative. The first 30 minutes of a consultation are free; time beyond that is billed.
Northeast Philadelphia firm on Bustleton Avenue serving Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks counties, with Russian-speaking attorneys. Works with executors on probate, inheritance tax returns, creditor and beneficiary notice and estate real estate, and handles will contests, breach of fiduciary duty, removal of trustees, contested heirship and guardianship appointments.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more
West Conshohocken trust and estate firm in Montgomery County, founded in 1994, that appears before the Register of Wills and Orphans' Courts throughout Pennsylvania. Represents executors and trustees in probating wills, filing federal estate, state death and fiduciary income tax returns, and discharging the executor by family agreement or formal audit, and litigates will and trust contests, fiduciary accountings, surcharge and removal, and contested guardianships for beneficiaries and fiduciaries alike.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
Office
1001 Conshohocken State Road, Suite 1-300West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Philadelphia firm on Walnut Street handling estate probate and administration in Philadelphia County and across Southeastern Pennsylvania. Serves executors, administrators, heirs and trustees from appointment and estate advertising through inventory, tax returns, final accounting and distribution, and readies inherited homes for sale for out-of-state fiduciaries who settle the estate remotely.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate
Office
1845 Walnut Street, Suite 1300Philadelphia, PA 19103
Multi-practice firm with its main office in Norristown, minutes from the Montgomery County Courthouse, and offices in Doylestown and Feasterville-Trevose serving Montgomery, Bucks and Delaware counties. Handles probate from the petition for grant of letters at the Register of Wills through inventory, payment of liabilities and distribution, and litigates will contests and trust disputes over administration, breach of fiduciary duty and trustee inaction, alongside wills, trusts, powers of attorney and guardianships.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Pennsylvania statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Pennsylvania
Free tools for settling an estate in Pennsylvania: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Pennsylvania: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 days20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3301-3303Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 12 months20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3162, 3381-3392, 3532Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Pennsylvania happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust Code20 Pa.C.S. § 7701 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 30 days20 Pa.C.S. § 7780.3Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Pennsylvania, informal probate is available20 Pa.C.S. § 901 (register jurisdiction over probate and letters), § 3155 (register grants letters), § 908 (appeal from the register's decree to the Orphans' Court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
Enter the estate value to see Pennsylvania attorney fees, executor fees, court costs and the timeline.
Examples:
General information about probate costs, not legal or financial advice. Fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value or net property after debts. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
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See whether you can file probate yourself
Enter the estate value to see whether Pennsylvania lets a self-represented person open probate, what the court requires, and what each route costs.
General information about filing probate without a lawyer, not legal advice. Both routes are priced by the probate cost estimator on the same estate; the attorney fee is the one line that differs. Actual costs vary by county, attorney and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney for legal questions.
