Legal Counsel
The Register of Wills recognizes the need for and value of an attorney licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and familiar with probate matters to counsel the personal representative through all stages of the administration of an estate. The personal representative should consider engaging an attorney before embarking on the duties of that office. An attorney will analyze legal considerations for administration of the estate, review creditors' claims, verify that assets are distributed according to the decedent's Will or the intestacy law, and advise about tax matters affecting the estate and its beneficiaries. The Register will accept a petition from an unrepresented person for a routine proceeding, but will not accept a petition from a lay person or corporation which undertakes to act as an attorney for another. Where situations exist that require a Citation to be issued by the Register to other parties in interest, it may be advisable to retain counsel to prepare the petition.