What to Do When Someone Dies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Probate in Philadelphia County runs through the Orphans' Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Philadelphia County, settling their estate runs through the Orphans' Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
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 Philadelphia, probate runs through the Orphans' Court at City Hall, Room 180, Philadelphia. Philadelphia County runs probate e-filing through rowlawyer.phila.gov, its own system rather than a shared statewide portal.
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. The 12 months20 Pa.C.S. § 3532 (one year from first complete advertisement of the grant of letters — a risk-distribution protection period for the personal representative, not a nonclaim bar)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Philadelphia County
What probate costs in Philadelphia 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 City Hall, Room 180, Philadelphia.
Probate matters are handled through Probate, Estate Services Unit, and Marriage Licenses. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Philadelphia County runs a probate self-help center, which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 215-686-6255.
The Orphans' Court charges $50 - $950+ (based on estate value)42 P.S. § 21022.1; 42 Pa.C.S. § 3733Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Orphans' Court accepts e-filing (https://rowlawyer.phila.gov/probate/lawyerlogin.aspx). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Pennsylvania are negotiated, typically 1.9%No statutory fee schedule; the Orphans' Court reviews reasonableness under In re Trust Estate of LaRocca, 431 Pa. 542, 246 A.2d 337 (1968). County percentage guidelines are not law — "[e]gregious error is committed when a court awards commissions and fees simply on a percentage basis without inquiry into the reasonableness of the compensation" (In re Estate of Preston, 560 A.2d 160, 165 (Pa. Super. 1989), quoted in Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%No statutory fee schedule; the Orphans' Court reviews reasonableness under In re Trust Estate of LaRocca, 431 Pa. 542, 246 A.2d 337 (1968). County percentage guidelines are not law — "[e]gregious error is committed when a court awards commissions and fees simply on a percentage basis without inquiry into the reasonableness of the compensation" (In re Estate of Preston, 560 A.2d 160, 165 (Pa. Super. 1989), quoted in Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Pennsylvania requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%20 Pa.C.S. §§ 3171, 3174 (bond required before letters except as § 3174 provides; a PA-resident PR named in the will, or a PA-resident sole residuary legatee/next of kin, is excused by operation of law); § 3175 (court or register may still require bond)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 Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia County is one of 12 Pennsylvania counties that accept probate e-filing; most probate courts in the state still take filings on paper.
Filings here are routed through Probate, Estate Services Unit, and Marriage Licenses. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Orphans' Court is realistic. Philadelphia County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
An appointment is required to file in person. Probate is by appointment. Schedule with the Probate Department at 215-686-6255 or ProbateAppt@phila.gov.
Accepted payment
Credit card, Check, Money order. Accepts Visa, Mastercard, certified check, or money order. Cash is not listed as accepted.
What to Bring
To file at the Orphans' Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Philadelphia 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 Department of Records.
Deeds and other real property documents for Philadelphia County are recorded with the Department of Records, led by Commissioner James P. Leonard, at City Hall, Room 111, 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Phone: (215) 686-2290. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM.
The Department of Records charges $279 flat, regardless of page count.
Philadelphia County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile / CSC eRecording / ePN.
Recording Office Record
Department of Records
Philadelphia County · Commissioner · James P. Leonard
Address
City Hall, Room 111, 1400 John F. Kennedy BoulevardPhiladelphia, PA 19107
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 Philadelphia 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 — typically 1.9%No statutory fee schedule; the Orphans' Court reviews reasonableness under In re Trust Estate of LaRocca, 431 Pa. 542, 246 A.2d 337 (1968). County percentage guidelines are not law — "[e]gregious error is committed when a court awards commissions and fees simply on a percentage basis without inquiry into the reasonableness of the compensation" (In re Estate of Preston, 560 A.2d 160, 165 (Pa. Super. 1989), quoted in Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%No statutory fee schedule; the Orphans' Court reviews reasonableness under In re Trust Estate of LaRocca, 431 Pa. 542, 246 A.2d 337 (1968). County percentage guidelines are not law — "[e]gregious error is committed when a court awards commissions and fees simply on a percentage basis without inquiry into the reasonableness of the compensation" (In re Estate of Preston, 560 A.2d 160, 165 (Pa. Super. 1989), quoted in Estate of Andrews, 2026 PA Super 168)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Philadelphia 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.
Center City Philadelphia firm concentrating in probate, trust, and estate planning, with matters filed in the Philadelphia Register of Wills and Orphans' Court. Handles estate and trust administration, federal and state estate and gift tax, guardianships, and representation of executors, trustees, and beneficiaries.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more
Office
1880 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1740Philadelphia, PA 19103
Center City firm at One Logan Square whose Wills, Trusts, Estates and Taxes group serves Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Prepares wills and trusts that minimize Pennsylvania inheritance and federal estate tax and administers estates through the Register of Wills and Orphans' Court.
Langhorne firm serving Bucks County through the county Register of Wills and Orphans' Court, with a second office in New Hope. Guides executors and administrators from probating the will through death-tax payment and distribution, and litigates will contests and self-dealing claims against a personal representative. First 30 minutes of consultation are free.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 2 more
Center City Philadelphia firm with a second office in Media, concentrating on estate planning, estate administration, tax planning, and real estate. Represents individuals across Greater Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.
Full-service Media firm with a dedicated Trusts & Estates department handling wills, revocable trusts, estate tax planning, probate administration, guardianships, and Orphans' Court litigation for Delaware County clients.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more
West Conshohocken firm in Montgomery County concentrating in estate and trust planning, administration, and fiduciary litigation for individuals and families. Litigates regularly before the Register of Wills and Orphans' Court across the Philadelphia suburbs, representing executors, trustees, agents, and beneficiaries in will and trust disputes.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more
Office
1001 Conshohocken State Road, Suite 1-300West Conshohocken, PA 19428
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.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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