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Find out if you can handle probate yourself, see estimated cost savings vs. hiring an attorney, and get a step-by-step filing checklist.
Yes. Self-filing in Lehigh County works best for straightforward estates with a clear will and few beneficiaries.
File at the Orphans' Court, Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 Hamilton Street, Room 123, Allentown, PA 18101. Phone: 610-782-3172. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Lehigh County offers e-filing for probate matters. E-filing available for certain Orphans Court documents. See Lehigh County E-Filing FAQs for details. Guardianship forms (G-02, G-03, G-05) also available through GTS.
Lehigh County doesn't have a dedicated probate self-help center, so self-filers should confirm local procedures with the court clerk.
Yes, you can file probate without a lawyer in Pennsylvania, though the process may require more effort depending on estate complexity.20 Pa.C.S. § 3101 (payments without administration: $10K wages, $20K deposits, $10K patient care, $11K life insurance), § 3102 (small estate petition — gross personal property $50K), § 3121 (family exemption $3,500), § 3162 (advertisement once/week for 3 successive weeks), § 3171/§ 3174 (bond + waivers), § 3301 (inventory deadline), § 3531 (post-administration small-estate settlement on petition $50K), § 3532 (creditor claims 1 yr from first complete advertisement), § 3537 (reasonable compensation), §§ 901-908 (Register of Wills); 72 P.S. § 9116 (inheritance tax rates); county Register of Wills fee schedules on pacourts.us and individual county Register of Wills sites — verified via legis.state.pa.us / palegis.us on 2026-05-05Verified May 5, 2026 Many Pennsylvania courts offer self-help resources and standardized forms.
Court filing fees in Pennsylvania vary by county.20 Pa.C.S. § 3101 (payments without administration: $10K wages, $20K deposits, $10K patient care, $11K life insurance), § 3102 (small estate petition — gross personal property $50K), § 3121 (family exemption $3,500), § 3162 (advertisement once/week for 3 successive weeks), § 3171/§ 3174 (bond + waivers), § 3301 (inventory deadline), § 3531 (post-administration small-estate settlement on petition $50K), § 3532 (creditor claims 1 yr from first complete advertisement), § 3537 (reasonable compensation), §§ 901-908 (Register of Wills); 72 P.S. § 9116 (inheritance tax rates); county Register of Wills fee schedules on pacourts.us and individual county Register of Wills sites — verified via legis.state.pa.us / palegis.us on 2026-05-05Verified May 5, 2026 Self-filing costs typically include the court petition fee, publication costs, and bond premiums. The filing fee is a fraction of total probate costs. See a full breakdown with the Pennsylvania probate calculator.
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