Estate Administration Finalization

Probate & Estate Administration

Estate Administration Finalization

During the Probate and Estate Administration process, the Executor or Administrator of the estate is responsible for many tasks. Tasks include collecting assets, locating creditors, paying debts and taxes, closing accounts, selling a home, filing final income tax returns and distributing remaining assets according to the decedent’s Will. If there’s no Will in place, it will follow the laws of intestacy.

If you’re new to the Probate process, we’re here to help. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Probate process is long and can be very frustrating. We are here to guide you through the process to ensure everything is finalized.

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Distributing Money During the Probate and Estate Administration Process

The Probate process requires you to file a Petition for Probate with the Register of Wills Division in the Court of Common Pleas in the County where the decedent resided. At Auld Brothers, we can provide you with several Estate Administration and Probate services to help with your needs.

Before you can distribute any money remaining from the decedent, you’ll need to file a Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return. After that time, you’ll wait for the inheritance tax department of the commonwealth to approve the return, which may require additional tax. They do so by submitting an Appraisement (typically, this takes six months to one year). This waiting period helps ensure that if additional tax money is required, the Executor or Administrator isn’t responsible for paying those taxes, and it’s paid with the money from the estate.

Then, once all paperwork is received and approved, you can distribute any remaining funds to the beneficiaries.

What are My Options for Closing an Estate in Pennsylvania?

There’s an informal and formal option for closing an estate in Pennsylvania. We can help you determine which option is best for you.

Informal Option
Quick & Inexpensive

This option involves you preparing a Family Settlement Agreement, so all estate heirs can approve and sign. This agreement is a legal binding contract that will include an informal account of:

Assets
Liabilities
Estate expenses
A proposal on how to distribute any remaining assets

The Family Settlement Agreement includes provisions for:

Relieving you of liability from administering the estate
Protecting you from honest mistakes or unintentional errors
Indicating that all matters of the estate have been finalized
Division and distribution of the estate assets to each beneficiary

Once the agreement is made up, reviewed, and all beneficiaries sign the “Receipt and Release,” the Probate and Estate Administration process is finalized.

An “Audit” by way of Court
Formal Rigorous & Costly Option

This option is suggested when there are sizable assets, an estate is insolvent, a business interest is involved or there are beneficiary disputes regarding the estate’s assets. During the formal process, you will need to prepare and file a Formal Account and Statement of Proposed Distribution with the Orphan’s Court, by way of Audit.

There are very exact legal requirements needed to follow, including:

Provide notice to all beneficiaries and interested parties
Inform everyone involved of the hearing date
Give opportunity for any person to object
Include a detailed report of all estate transactions:

If any interested party makes an objection about the Accounting to the Orphan’s Court, the Judge will schedule a status conference and if the matters cannot be resolved. During the hearing, each person must thoroughly explain their objections to the Judge. The estate will then have to refute the objection and the court will make the final determination regarding the objections

If valid, the Account will need to be reviewed and adjustments need to be made. If the objection is not valid, the estate is distributed following the Statement of Proposed Distribution, by Order of Court. Then the Probate and Estate Administration process is finalized.

Assistance with Probate and Estate Administration Finalization

Closing an estate is the last big step towards completing your duties as the Executor or Administrator of the estate. Whether you choose an informal or formal closing option, we will assist you with any legal documents or court representation you need. We help to make the Estate Administration finalization an easier and more efficient process for you.

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Complete our online form so we can help you with your estate planning process.

We are happy to provide a free, 30-minute consultation, with legal advice and answer any questions you may have about your current situation. Our goal is to provide you with clear, straightforward information to help you understand what you need.

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Auld Brothers Law Group, LLC

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Dan Butler

14:23 11 Jan 22

Rebecca went above and beyond to accommodate me and ensure my needs were met. She is very personable and professional.

M G

20:02 29 Dec 21

I needed to revise an outdated will. I had a glowing recommendation for Rebecca Auld from a friend. After completing the Estate Planning it was easy to understand why she was highly recommended.Rebecca's expertise and insight were evident after discussion on the phone before I even met with her. Once meeting these skills were apparent These traits were on display in her follow up questions and in answers to my questions. Her explanations and analogies show understanding coupled with legal knowledge and explanation of policy. Her abilities were apparent during and after completion of the Estate Planning Process. Her prices are reasonable for high quality work, time spent with the client, and personalize attention.I am so pleased with the total Estate Planning Package, that I have begun a needed Real Estate Agreement with Rebecca.I think that Rebecca is very knowledgeable, about law and policy, helpful, creative, and empathetic, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend her highly without any reservation.( I met Rebecca for the first time after Thanksgiving of 2021. I needed some accommodations. Both Rebecca and Brian were welcoming and eager to modify the situation to met my requests and needs. I thank them deeply for the concern and accommodations, attention and quality legal documents, completed and in process.)Gratefully,Meryl Gotlieb

Sylvia Morriscox

14:42 12 Oct 21

As a retired lawyer, I deeply respect, recognize, and require cohesive, comprehensive estate planning. Rebecca Auld brilliantly executed a thorough,, powerful, expedient multifaceted package for a very reasonable price.Thank you, Mrs. Auld, for so efficiently and accurately providing such a reassuring plan for both myself and my heirs.

Vati Ammatri

20:30 24 May 21

Fantastic service and attention to a recent tricky legal issue, resolved to good avail. My family has utilized Auld family legal services for over 40 years. They're always professional, compassionate, caring and sharp. Great service, and much appreciated!Rebecca Auld will go to bat for you and is a pleasure to work with!

Natalie Williams

21:12 22 May 21

Rebecca “Becky” displayed genuine kindness and professionalism from start to finish. I cannot say enough about her thoroughness and timely responses to all of our questions and concerns. Thank You Becky. I highly recommend Auld Brothers Law Group.