This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about issues relating to Wills and Estates in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Wills
A Will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. It is the way that you can direct how your property will be distributed upon your death and who will be responsible for handling your affairs. A Will allows you to set forth your intentions with respect to these important decisions. If you die without a Will, you have no control over who will serve these important roles. Information on wills from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2018)
Wills
A will is a writing signed at the end by a person (at least 18 years of age and of sound mind) that directs the distribution of property at death. The will may also appoint guardians of the estates of minors who receive property under the will. This provides information on who should have a will and why.
Wills for Heroes
Wills for Heroes, a program cosponsored by the PA Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, provides free basic estate planning documents to a variety of heroes, including police, fire, emergency medical personnel, other first responders, military veterans and the essential personnel we celebrated during the pandemic.
Writing Your Own Will in Pennsylvania
Tips on writing your own will in Pennsyvania from Philadephia Legal Assistance.
Writing Your Own Will in Pennsylvania
Tips on writing your own will in Pennsyvania from Philadephia Legal Assistance.
The Truth About Probate and Living Trusts in Pennsylvania [PDF]
The ACBA produced this booklet to alleviate the confusion about living trusts and probate, and to protect consumers from purchasing a product that might not be right for them. The booklet answers questions about probate, such as: What is Probate? What are the costs of Probate? Does Probate take a long time? The booklet also answers questions about a living trust, such as: Why am I now hearing so much about living trusts? Do I need a living trust? (2009)
Estate Planning
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. (February 2013)
Inheritance and Estate Taxes
Information on inheritance and estate taxes from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2018)
Small Estates
Information on small estates from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2019)
Wills
A Will is the cornerstone of your estate plan. It is the way that you can direct how your property will be distributed upon your death and who will be responsible for handling your affairs. A Will allows you to set forth your intentions with respect to these important decisions. If you die without a Will, you have no control over who will serve these important roles. Information on wills from the Erie County Bar Association (February 2018)
Trusts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association about using a Trust in personal estate planning and business planning. (August 2018)
Living Trusts
This publication from the Erie County Bar Association outlines what a living trust is, who needs one, advantages and disadvantages of having one, as well as myths and scams involving living trusts. (February 2019)
A Guide for Seniors and Their Families: Issues on Aging
Consumer Legal Information Pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association [PDF]
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens [PDF]
The handbook from the Pennsylvania Bar Association provides valuable information on legal issues and questions that concern Pennsylvania's senior citizens and the persons and organizations that care for them. (2016-2017) [PDF Format, 83 pages]
Collaborative Law
Consumer legal information brochure from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Collaborative Law, a dispute resolution process that is an alternative to litigation. Rev. 1/13 [PDF]
Wills for Heroes
Wills for Heroes, a program cosponsored by the PA Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, provides free basic estate planning documents to a variety of heroes, including police, fire, emergency medical personnel, other first responders, military veterans and the essential personnel we celebrated during the pandemic.
SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (1-877-727-7529)
The statewide toll-free SeniorLAW Helpline - 877 PA SR LAW (877-727-7529) - provides free legal advice, information and referrals by telephone for all Pennsylvania seniors 60 and over.
Estate Recovery Program
Information from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services on the Estate Recovery Program that enables the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to recover from the estate of individuals who were 55 years of age or older at the time nursing facility services or home and community-based services were received.
Financial Planners or Scammers
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General about solicitations from so-called experts offering financial and estate planning services.
How to Identify and Avoid Living Trust Investment Scams
Informational brochure outlining how to identify and protect yourself from investment scams involving living trusts. [PDF] (January 2018)
Beware of Living Trust Scams
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General on scams related to the establishment of living trusts.
Wills
A will is a writing signed at the end by a person (at least 18 years of age and of sound mind) that directs the distribution of property at death. The will may also appoint guardians of the estates of minors who receive property under the will. This provides information on who should have a will and why.
Carbon Self Service Center - Forms
Download forms and information from the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas
Lancaster County: Judge Henry S. Kenderdine Jr. Self Help Center
The Lancaster County Court Self Help Center opened in July, 2004. The main purpose of the Center is to provide one central location where self-represented litigants can obtain some of the information and forms that they may need to represent themselves in certain types of court actions.
Wills
A will is a writing signed at the end by a person (at least 18 years of age and of sound mind) that directs the distribution of property at death. The will may also appoint guardians of the estates of minors who receive property under the will. This provides information on who should have a will and why.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Westmoreland County: Forms
A variety of forms for use in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas may be downloaded at this link.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.