What to Do When Someone Dies in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

How probate works in Lehigh County: the Orphans' Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Lehigh County Orphans' Court

Lehigh County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, PA 18101

Filing in person

Appointment required

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

E-filing

Required for attorneysE-filing through Lehigh County File and Serve is mandatory in Register of Wills cases and Orphans' Court cases unless the Court exempts a filing, and filing requires a File and Serve account. Pleadings not filed electronically carry a per-page fee. Guardians file the inventory and annual reports through the statewide Guardianship Tracking System.

Filing in person

Appointment requiredAll probate documents are emailed in one message to willsprobate@lehighcounty.org, and a probate is scheduled only after they are approved, by calling 610-782-3170 between 8:30 and 11:00 AM or 2:00 and 3:00 PM. A virtual probate by Zoom needs the attorney present, so estates without a lawyer probate in person. After the appointment the documents are e-filed and the original will is mailed or dropped off before letters issue.

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe Register of Wills posts many of the forms used in estate administration, and its staff cannot help prepare filings or give advice. Estates without a lawyer probate in person, since video probate needs an attorney.

Accepted payment

  • At the counterA credit or debit card payment carries a fee charged by the card company. Filing fees and any additional probate fees are due at the time of filing.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Lehigh County

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 Lehigh County, probate runs through the Orphans' Court at Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown. Lehigh County runs probate e-filing through efilepa.tylertech.cloud, the only Pennsylvania county on that system.

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 Lehigh County

What probate costs in Lehigh 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 Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown.

Procedures at this court that affect cost: Probate fees follow the inheritance tax value.

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 cases in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania are filed at the Orphans' Court. Lehigh County is one of 15 Pennsylvania counties that accept probate e-filing; most probate courts in the state still take filings on paper.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Clerk of the Orphans' Court.

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.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Lehigh County Self-Filing Assessment.

What to Bring

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 Lehigh County

In Lehigh 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

Lehigh County · State vital records office

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (except holidays; Philadelphia by appointment only)

Certified copies

From Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Vital Records; the Local Registrar files the certificate and issues no copies to the public

Mail

Division of Vital Records Death Certificate Processing Unit P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103

Phone

1-724-656-3100Monday-Friday 7:15 AM-6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM

Verified October 15, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Lehigh County · Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center

Office

4350 Broadway, Allentown, PA 18104

Mail and offices

Fax

1-610-820-8271

Verified November 3, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Lehigh County

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 Lehigh County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, PA 18101. Phone: 1-610-782-3162. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM.

The Recorder of Deeds charges $81 for the first 4 pages plus $2 for each page beyond 4.

Lehigh County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile, CSC and ePN.

Recording Office Record

Recorder of Deeds

Lehigh County · Clerk of Judicial Records, Recorder of Deeds Division

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, PA 18101

Fax

1-610-871-2895

Verified October 17, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Lehigh County

Pennsylvania allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Lehigh 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 Lehigh 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.

FirmEaston, PA

Drake, Hileman & Davis, P.C.

Since 1985 · Serves 4 counties

Firm founded in 1985 with offices in Easton, Allentown, Bethlehem, Doylestown, and Stroudsburg, serving Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley. Administers testamentary and living trust estates, preparing Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns, estate settlement agreements, and the ancillary documents for the executor or trustee. Also prepares wills, revocable, irrevocable, charitable, and testamentary trusts, and Medicaid plans.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateMedicaid Planningand 2 more

Office
1 South 3rd StreetEaston, PA 18042

Solo PracticeEaston, PA

Fox, Oldt & Brown

Since 1853 · Serves 4 counties

Easton firm serving Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks and Monroe county families, founded in 1853 and now the practice of Robert C. Brown, Jr. For a personal representative it attends the Register of Wills to probate the will and secure letters, handles beneficiary notices and publication, inventories assets, prepares the Pennsylvania inheritance and federal estate tax returns, and closes the estate by court audit or family settlement agreement. Also handles elder law, Medicaid long-term care planning and special needs planning; initial consultations are free.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawSpecial Needs PlanningMedicaid Planning

Office
940 West Lafayette Street, Suite 100Easton, PA 18042
Free consultation

Solo PracticeAllentown, PA

Knauer Law

Serves 2 counties

Allentown practice of Robert M. Knauer on North 8th Street, serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Handles probate of wills, required legal notices and advertising, family agreements, Pennsylvania inheritance and federal estate tax returns, and the settlement and distribution of estates and trusts, and prepares wills, revocable and testamentary trusts, special needs trusts, powers of attorney and business succession documents alongside a real estate practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
143 N 8th StreetAllentown, PA 18101

FirmBethlehem, PA

Leeson & Leeson

Since 1969 · Serves 2 counties

Bethlehem firm on East Broad Street, practicing in the Lehigh Valley since 1969 and led by Joseph F. Leeson, III. Its estate practice guides executors through probate, paying debts and distributing assets, alongside wills, asset protection trusts, powers of attorney and long-term care planning. The firm's main practice is personal injury.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset Protection

Office
70 E Broad StBethlehem, PA 18018

FirmAllentown, PA

Rapa Law Office, P.C.

Serves 3 counties

Family-run firm with offices on Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown and in Lehighton, serving Allentown, Bethlehem, Palmerton, Lehighton, Walnutport, and Jim Thorpe. Guides executors and trustees through probate, estate administration, and trust administration, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
609 Hamilton Street, Suite 202Allentown, PA 18101
Free consultation

FirmNorthampton, PA

Shulman Law Office PC

Serves 3 counties

Lehigh Valley firm with offices in Northampton, Bethlehem, and Palmerton, practicing for over 30 years primarily in Northampton, Lehigh, and Carbon counties. Guides executors through probate, marshals assets, pays estate debts, distributes assets, and files Pennsylvania inheritance and federal estate tax returns, and represents beneficiaries, excluded heirs, and fiduciaries in will contests and estate disputes.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationBusiness Lawand 2 more

Office
1935 Center StNorthampton, PA 18067
Free consultation
See all 16 firms serving Lehigh County →

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.

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Legal Sources

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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.

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