Appointment requiredThe daily deadline for filing is 4:20 PM. At the Hazleton Annex, probates are done by Skype with the Wilkes-Barre staff, and the paperwork can then be filed there.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe office posts the Petition for Grant of Letters, the witness oaths, the renunciation, the Rule 10.5 and 10.6 forms, the inventory and a sheet of the fees to open an estate.
Hearing schedule
Accounts are audited at 9:00 AM on the first Tuesday of the month, about six weeks after the filing deadline on the court's yearly Schedule of Accounts and Audits.
County forms
Fees to Open EstateA worksheet of the charges to open an estate, with the letters fee by gross estate value.
Hazleton AnnexHazleton City Hall, 40 North Church Street, Hazleton, PA 18201 · Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 AM-3:00 PMThe annex files and records everything except adoption and guardianship filings, and takes no cash: money orders, cashier's checks, personal and business checks, and credit cards except for marriage licenses and inheritance tax payments.
Records and certified copies1-570-825-1641Records filed before 2004 and certified copies are obtained through the office.
About the court
One office serves as Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court, which takes guardianship and adoption petitions.
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 Luzerne County, probate runs through the Orphans' Court at Luzerne County Courthouse, 153 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre.
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 Luzerne County
What probate costs in Luzerne 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 Luzerne County Courthouse, 153 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: Probate fees are subject to final appraisement.
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 Luzerne County are filed at the Orphans' Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
Beside the filing office, the court lists separate lines for Hazleton Annex and Records and certified copies.
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.
Records Access
Older estate files come from the Records Center
Estate indexes from 1875 to 2004 are on IQS Infodex, and estates from mid-1998 on are on Landex. An older estate file can be requested from the Records Center at 570-825-1863 for scanning, or reviewed at the Records Center at 57 Young Street, Hanover Township.
The Courthouse Annex parking lot at 153 North River Street is for visitors to the Courthouse Annex building only.
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 Luzerne County
In Luzerne 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 Luzerne County are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds at Luzerne County Courthouse, 153 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. Phone: 1-570-825-1641. Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-4:30 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to 200 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711.
The Recorder of Deeds charges $88 for the first 4 pages plus $2 for each page beyond 4.
Luzerne County accepts electronic recording through CSC, ePN and Simplifile.
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 Luzerne 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 Luzerne 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.
Wilkes-Barre firm on South Franklin Street handling probate and estate administration in Luzerne County, Lackawanna County and the Poconos. Guides families through probate from reviewing the estate plan to identifying, valuing and distributing assets and paying debts and taxes, helps resolve disputes that arise, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives; the first consultation is free.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateBusiness LawPowers Of AttorneyReal Estate
Blakely firm on the Scranton/Carbondale Highway where attorneys John and Michael Krisa practice in the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Carbondale areas. Represents executors administering estates, from identifying assets and paying bills and inheritance tax to distribution within the Pennsylvania deadlines, handles intestate estates and will contests, and prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney and Medicaid long-term care plans.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateProbate LitigationElder Lawand 3 more
Office
3397 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, Suite 4Blakely, PA 18447
Scranton solo practice of Anne Marie Howells on West Market Street, serving Lackawanna County and the surrounding Wyoming, Wayne, Susquehanna and Luzerne Counties. Handles probate administration, including dealings with the register of wills and post-death distribution of property, and prepares wills, financial and medical powers of attorney and living wills; consultations are also held by phone.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateFamily LawPowers Of AttorneyReal Estate
Three-attorney firm with its main office in the Archbald area (Olyphant mailing address) and a second office on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, representing estates in Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Monroe counties and the Poconos. Handles probate and estate administration before the register of wills and the orphans' court, prepares wills and trusts, and maintains fiduciary ledgers, makes distributions to beneficiaries, and prepares fiduciary tax returns.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
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
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
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.
$
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.
