Pennsylvania allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Centre 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 Centre 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.
FirmBloomsburg, PA
Since 1971 · Serves 12 counties
Elder law and estate planning firm founded in 1971 on Market Street in Bloomsburg, with a second office in State College, serving central Pennsylvania communities from Williamsport and Lock Haven to Wilkes-Barre, Pottsville and Altoona. Guides executors through probate, from locating heirs and valuing assets to tax compliance and distribution, and handles Medicaid planning, guardianships through its fiduciary services division, and special needs planning; two of its four attorneys are Certified Elder Law Attorneys and meetings can be held virtually.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianshipand 4 more
- Office
- 401 Market StBloomsburg, PA 17815
FirmState College, PA
Since 2000 · Serves 2 counties
State College firm on West College Avenue, in practice since 2000, serving State College, Altoona and surrounding central Pennsylvania. Represents executors, administrators and trustees through probate and non-probate estate settlement and trust administration, with post-mortem estate and inheritance tax planning and filings. Its attorneys work alongside in-house CPAs, and partner Tye J. Cressman is a Certified Elder Law Attorney.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
- Office
- 1500 W College AveState College, PA 16801
FirmState College, PA
Since 1893 · Serves 1 county
Centre County firm with offices in State College and Bellefonte, first opened in Bellefonte in 1893. Represents executors, beneficiaries and other interested parties in estate administration and probate throughout central Pennsylvania, and handles guardianships for incapacitated family members. Planning work runs from simple wills to irrevocable and special needs trusts; consultations are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more
- Office
- 720 South Atherton Street, Suite 201State College, PA 16801
FirmWilliamsport, PA
Since 2002 · Serves 5 counties
Williamsport elder law and special needs planning firm with offices in State College, Altoona, Wilkes-Barre, Muncy, Wyalusing, and Wysox. Handles probate and estate administration, including collecting assets, paying estate taxes, and distributing the estate, and litigates will contests, guardianships, and trustee removals. Attorneys Julieanne Steinbacher and Landon Hodges are Certified Elder Law Attorneys.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 5 more
- Office
- 413 Washington BoulevardWilliamsport, PA 17701
FirmLock Haven, PA
Since 1983 · Serves 7 counties
Lock Haven firm on West Main Street, practicing since 1983 and serving Clinton, Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Columbia, Lycoming, and Centre counties. Handles the probate administration of a decedent's estate and prepares wills, trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney, alongside real estate, family law, and personal injury work.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateFamily LawReal Estate
- Office
- 241 West Main StreetLock Haven, PA 17745
FirmHarrisburg, PA
Serves 8 counties
Harrisburg-based firm on Pine Street with Pennsylvania offices in Lancaster, York, Reading, State College, Pittsburgh, Plymouth Meeting and Radnor. Guides executors and trustees through estate and trust administration, including gathering assets, paying debts, inheritance, estate and income tax returns, fiduciary accountings and Orphans' Court petitions. Its fiduciary litigators handle surcharge actions, objections to accounts, elective share claims and guardianship proceedings in the Orphans' Court.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 100 Pine StreetHarrisburg, PA 17101
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.
