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.
Estate Planning
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Estate Planning covering Probate, Trusts, and Wills. (February 2013)
Estate Planning for Families of Persons with Disabilities (PDF)
This booklet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to inform families of persons with disabilities about various kinds of estate plans, to suggest the advantages and disadvantages of each, and to assist you in identifying the kind of information to gather and share with your lawyer. It focuses on the unique problems of estate planning for families with members who have disabilities and is not intended to cover all aspects of estate planning. (February 2018)
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Older Adults
The guide is designed to provide information about legal issues faced by Pennsylvania’s older residents and their caregivers. The authors and publishers intend to assist older adults make appropriate choices so they can maximize their personal autonomy, minimize costs, navigate the maze of government benefits and protect themselves against predators seeking to deceive, exploit or defraud them. The materials in this guide were current as of the date of publication. May 2025.
Beware of Living Trust Scams
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General on scams related to the establishment of living trusts.
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.
A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Older Adults
The guide is designed to provide information about legal issues faced by Pennsylvania’s older residents and their caregivers. The authors and publishers intend to assist older adults make appropriate choices so they can maximize their personal autonomy, minimize costs, navigate the maze of government benefits and protect themselves against predators seeking to deceive, exploit or defraud them. The materials in this guide were current as of the date of publication. May 2025.
Collaborative Law
Consumer legal information brochure from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Collaborative Law, a dispute resolution process that is an alternative to litigation. Each party hires a collaboratively trained lawyer, and both you and your respective lawyers all meet together to work things out face-to-face. Revised 1/13 [PDF]
Estate Planning
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association on Estate Planning covering Probate, Trusts, and Wills. (February 2013)
Inheritance and Estate Taxes
Information on inheritance and estate taxes from the Erie County Bar Association. Two types of taxes can affect the estates of Pennsylvania residents - Pennsylvania's inheritance tax and the federal estate tax. The two taxes work in very different ways. Some assets are subject to the Pennsylvania Inheritance tax but not the federal tax. The rates of tax are very different. This resource explains how these taxes work. (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. (June 2023)
Small Estates
Information on he administration of small estates from the Erie County Bar Association (June 2023)
Trusts
Information from the Erie County Bar Association about using a Trust in personal estate planning and business planning. (June 2023)
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.
Beware of Living Trust Scams
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General on scams related to the establishment of living trusts.
Beware of Living Trust Scams
Consumer Advisory from the Pennsylvania Attorney General on the dangers of Living Trust Scams.
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.
Estate Planning for Families of Persons with Disabilities (PDF)
This booklet from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to inform families of persons with disabilities about various kinds of estate plans, to suggest the advantages and disadvantages of each, and to assist you in identifying the kind of information to gather and share with your lawyer. It focuses on the unique problems of estate planning for families with members who have disabilities and is not intended to cover all aspects of estate planning. (February 2018)
Carbon Court 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.
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Forms Center
Forms available from the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
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.