How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing20 Pa.C.S. § 2519 (person § 2519(a); estate § 2519(b)); 20 Pa.C.S. § 5115 (non-will estate appointment in a deed, gift instrument or beneficiary designation); appointment 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5111–5113Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 1820 Pa.C.S. § 102 ("Minor." Means an individual under the age of 18 years)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Pennsylvania, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writing20 Pa.C.S. § 2519 (person § 2519(a); estate § 2519(b)); 20 Pa.C.S. § 5115 (non-will estate appointment in a deed, gift instrument or beneficiary designation); appointment 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5111–5113Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It needs your signature, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 1820 Pa.C.S. § 102 ("Minor." Means an individual under the age of 18 years)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. It can be recorded alongside the rest of an estate plan when you create a revocable living trust.
When a parent has named a guardian, the nomination is one factor the court weighs in deciding the child's best interest20 Pa.C.S. § 2519 (person § 2519(a); estate § 2519(b)); 20 Pa.C.S. § 5115 (non-will estate appointment in a deed, gift instrument or beneficiary designation); appointment 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5111–5113Verified Sep 16, 2026View source. A backup guardian named in the same document applies if the first choice cannot serve.
Yes. Pennsylvania recognizes a separate signed declaration naming a guardian, so a full will is not required to make the nomination20 Pa.C.S. § 2519 (person § 2519(a); estate § 2519(b)); 20 Pa.C.S. § 5115 (non-will estate appointment in a deed, gift instrument or beneficiary designation); appointment 20 Pa.C.S. §§ 5111–5113Verified Sep 16, 2026View source, so a full will is not required; a will remains the standard place to do it.
Yes. Pennsylvania allows a Standby Guardianship — Written Designation, under which any adult can be authorized for a limited time (up to 2 months) without transferring custody23 Pa.C.S. ch. 56 subch. B (Standby Guardianship Act; §§ 5611–5616; definitions § 5602, designation § 5611, petition § 5612, effect § 5613, conflicting documents § 5615)Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
In Pennsylvania, a child 14 or older may choose their guardian, subject to the court's approval20 Pa.C.S. § 5113Verified Sep 16, 2026View source.
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New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
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Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
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New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
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Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreForms for Planning Your Estate in Pennsylvania
Free forms for planning your estate in Pennsylvania: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Pennsylvania, a will needs no witnesses to be valid20 Pa.C.S. § 2502Verified Oct 19, 2026View source, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony20 Pa.C.S. § 2502Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Pennsylvania requires 220 Pa.C.S. § 5471 (combined example); § 5465 (HC agent form); § 5447 (living will form)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not required20 Pa.C.S. § 5471 (combined example); § 5465 (HC agent form); § 5447 (living will form)Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Pennsylvania treats a power of attorney as durable by default20 Pa.C.S. § 5601Verified Sep 20, 2026View source, and it is signed before 220 Pa.C.S. § 5601Verified Sep 20, 2026View source witnesses and a notary.
Living Will
In Pennsylvania, the living will is the Living Will20 Pa.C.S. Chapter 54, Subchapter B (Living Will Act), §§ 5441-5447; definitions and general provisions §§ 5421-5434Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a document of its own, apart from the healthcare power of attorney.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in Pennsylvania
Free tools for planning your estate in Pennsylvania: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Pennsylvania runs $1,014Estimate: 3 hours at $338, Clio's Pennsylvania Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,028Estimate: 6 hours at $338, Clio's Pennsylvania Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $26,087No 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.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Pennsylvania, a will-based plan pays probate attorney fees of 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; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable trust in Pennsylvania runs $3,830Estimate: 10 hours at $383, Clio's Pennsylvania Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $5,745Estimate: 15 hours at $383, Clio's Pennsylvania Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source and a simple will $1,014Estimate: 3 hours at $338, Clio's Pennsylvania Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,028Estimate: 6 hours at $338, Clio's Pennsylvania Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
In Pennsylvania, four years at a public university cost about $114,932NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 330.20, public 4-year in-state tuition, fees, room and board, academic year 2022-23Verified Oct 17, 2026View source and the cost of living is near the U.S. averageBEA Regional Price Parities, all items, by state, 2024Verified Oct 17, 2026View source; an inheritance tax falls on beneficiaries72 P.S. § 9116Verified Sep 15, 2026View source by relationship.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Pennsylvania automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorce20 Pa.C.S. § 6111.2; 20 Pa.C.S. § 6111.1Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
How Do I Sign Estate Documents?
Find witness, notary, and remote signing requirements for all 50 states.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Pennsylvania costs an estimated $26,087No 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. Attorney fees run 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 under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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Pennsylvania Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Pennsylvania probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.