ProbateUS
Probate Court

Schuylkill County

Pennsylvania

570-628-1382

Phone

570-628-1382

Fax

570-628-1384

Website

Official Site →

Court Location & Contact

Address

401 N 2nd Street, Pottsville, PA 17901

Fax

570-628-1384

Visit Official Court Website

Filing Fees

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

Fee TypeAmount
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value not exceeding $5,000$60.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $5,001.00 to $25,000.00$150.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $25,001.00 to $50,000.00$170.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $50,001.00 to $75,000.00$200.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $75,001.00 to $100,000.00$230.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $100,001.00 to $200,000.00$285.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $200,001.00 to $300,000.00$340.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $300,001.00 to $400,000.00$395.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $400,001.00 to $500,000.00$490.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $500,001.00 to $600,000.00$550.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $600,001.00 to $700,000.00$600.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $700,001.00 to $800,000.00$650.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $800,001.00 to $900,000.00$800.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $900,001.00 to $1,000,000.00$850.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $1,000,001.00 to $1,500,000.00$1,100.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $1,500,001.00 to $2,000,000.00$1,300.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $2,000,001.00 to $2,500,000.00$1,800.00
Grant of Letters (Administration, Testamentary or Administration, C.T.A.) Estate Value $2,500,001.00 to $3,000,000.00$2,300.00
Each additional million over $3,000,001.00$1,500.00
Will$50.00
Codicil$50.00
Probate only (no letters)$80.00
Letters of Administration D.B.N.$80.00
Letters of Administration D.B.N., C.T.A.$80.00
Letters for Purpose of Suit$100.00
JCS Surcharge on Petitions for Letters and First Filings$40.25
Automation Fee on all Letters and First Filings$20.00

Judges & Officers

HJ
Honorable Jacqueline L. Russell
HC
Honorable Charles M. Miller
HJ
Honorable James P. Goodman
HC
Honorable Christina E. Hale
HC
Honorable Christopher W. Hobbs
JB
Judge Bill Burke

Probate Forms Library

60 fillable forms — scroll to browse

Administrative Order of November 4, 2011countyDownload
Administrator's NoticecountyDownload
Application for Continuance Abuse HearingcountyDownload
Application for Continuance Pre-Hear,Pre-Trial Conference Trial, Arbitration, Hearing, OthercountyDownload
RW-08 — Certification of NoticecountyDownload
Estate Information SheetcountyDownload
Executor's NoticecountyDownload
1.8B — Orphans' Court Account Check ListcountyDownload
Petition for Grant of LetterscountyDownload
Queja por servicios lingísticos de los Tribunales de PennsylvaniacountyDownload
Request for Conciliation ConferencecountyDownload
Updated Language Access Plan (2025)countyDownload
1041 — Accumulation Distribution for Certain Complex TrustsfederalDownload
1041-T — Allocation of Estimated Tax Payments to BeneficiariesfederalDownload
1041 — Alternative Minimum Tax — Estates and TrustsfederalDownload
Application For Burial BenefitsfederalDownload
SSA-4 — Application for Child's Insurance BenefitsfederalDownload
SF 2800 — Application for Death Benefits (CSRS)federalDownload
SF 3104 — Application for Death Benefits (FERS)federalDownload
Application For DIC, Survivors Pension And/Or Accrued BenefitsfederalDownload
SS-4 — Application for Employer Identification NumberfederalDownload
706 — Application for Extension of Time To File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate TaxesfederalDownload
SSA-10 — Application for Widow's or Widower's Insurance BenefitsfederalDownload
1041 — Beneficiary's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc.federalDownload
1041 — Capital Gains and Losses (Estates and Trusts)federalDownload
706-CE — Certification of Payment of Foreign Death TaxfederalDownload
FE6 — Claim for Death Benefits (FEGLI)federalDownload
VA40-1330 — Claim For Standard Government Headstone Or MarkerfederalDownload
SF 2818 — Continuation of Life Insurance Coverage as AnnuitantfederalDownload
FE7 — Designation Of Beneficiary (FEGLI)federalDownload
SF 2823 — Designation Of Beneficiary Federal Employees' Group Life InsurancefederalDownload
FS 5336 — Disposition of Treasury Securities Belonging to a Decedent's Estate Being Settled Without AdministrationfederalDownload
8855 — Election To Treat a Qualified Revocable Trust as Part of an EstatefederalDownload
1041 — Estimated Income Tax for Estates and TrustsfederalDownload
706 — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (Form 706)federalDownload
706-GS — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for DistributionsfederalDownload
706-GS — Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return for TerminationsfederalDownload
8971 — Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property From a DecedentfederalDownload
56 — Notice Concerning Fiduciary RelationshipfederalDownload
706-GS — Notification of Distribution From a Generation-Skipping TrustfederalDownload
1041-V — Payment Voucher (Estate or Trust)federalDownload
I-360 — Petition For Amerasian, Widow(er), Or Special ImmigrantfederalDownload
2848 — Power of Attorney and Declaration of RepresentativefederalDownload
FS 1455 — Request By Owner or Person Entitled to Payment for Reissue of United States Savings BondsfederalDownload
706 HAS — Request for Discharge From Personal Liability Under IRC 2204 or 6905federalDownload
4810 — Request For Prompt Assessment Under Internal Revenue Code Section 6501(d)federalDownload
FS 1522 — Special Form of Request for Payment of United States Savings and Retirement SecuritiesfederalDownload
SSA-721 — Statement of Death by Funeral DirectorfederalDownload
1310 — Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased TaxpayerfederalDownload
706-NA — U.S. Estate Tax Return for Nonresident Not a Citizen of the U.S.federalDownload
706-QDT — U.S. Estate Tax Return for Qualified Domestic TrustsfederalDownload
1041 U — U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and TrustsfederalDownload
1041-A — U.S. Information Return Trust Accumulation of Charitable AmountsfederalDownload
706-A — United States Additional Estate Tax ReturnfederalDownload
706 UNITED — United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax ReturnfederalDownload
709 — United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax ReturnfederalDownload
[PETITION FOR PROBATE AND GRANT OF LETTERSJudicial System of PennsylvaniastateDownload
2.4 — DECEDENT'S ESTATEJudicial System of PennsylvaniastateDownload
Grants System AdministratorstateDownload
Guardianship Bench BookstateDownload

Probate Guide

Probate in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

The Schuylkill County Orphans' Court handles all matters related to the estates of deceased persons, including the validation of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, and the supervised distribution of assets. If you need to file for probate in Schuylkill County, PA, this guide covers what you need to know.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person's estate. It involves validating the will (if one exists), identifying and inventorying assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining property to heirs and beneficiaries. In Pennsylvania, the orphans' court in each county oversees this process.

When Is Probate Required in Pennsylvania?

Probate is generally required when:

  • The deceased owned real estate solely in their name

  • The estate contains assets above Pennsylvania's small estate threshold

  • There are disputes among heirs or creditors

  • Assets are not held in a trust or joint tenancy

Steps to File for Probate in Schuylkill County

  1. Locate the will (if one exists) and gather the death certificate

  2. File a petition with the Schuylkill County Orphans' Court to open probate

  3. Notify heirs and creditors as required by Pennsylvania law

  4. Inventory the estate — identify all assets, debts, and liabilities

  5. Pay debts and taxes — settle outstanding obligations from estate funds

  6. Distribute remaining assets — according to the will or state intestacy laws

  7. Close the estate — file a final accounting with the court

How Long Does Probate Take?

In Pennsylvania, probate typically takes 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the estate. Simple estates with no disputes may be resolved faster, while contested wills or complex asset distributions can take longer.

Do You Need a Probate Attorney?

While Pennsylvania does not always require an attorney for probate, it is strongly recommended, especially for estates with significant assets, real estate, business interests, or potential disputes. A local probate attorney familiar with Schuylkill County Orphans' Court procedures can help navigate the process efficiently.

Resources

For more information about the probate process, visit the Schuylkill County Orphans' Court directly or consult with a local probate attorney. You can also explore tools like EverSettled for step-by-step estate settlement guidance.

Additional Notes

The Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans' Court handles estates, guardianships, and adoptions.

Office Hours

Monday-Friday8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FAQ

Where do I file for probate in Schuylkill County, PA?

Probate petitions for estates in Schuylkill County are filed at the Schuylkill County Orphans' Court. Contact the court directly for filing instructions and office hours.

How much does probate cost in Schuylkill County?

Probate filing fees in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania vary based on the estate value and type of petition. Contact the orphans' court clerk for the current fee schedule.

How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?

Probate in Pennsylvania typically takes 6 to 18 months. Timeline depends on estate complexity, creditor claims, and whether the will is contested.

Can I avoid probate?

Assets held in trusts, joint tenancy, or with designated beneficiaries (like life insurance and retirement accounts) can pass outside of probate. Consult with an estate planning attorney for strategies specific to your situation.

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Schuylkill County?

While not always legally required in Pennsylvania, a probate attorney is recommended for most estates, especially those involving real estate, business interests, or potential disputes among heirs.

What happens if someone dies without a will?

When someone dies intestate (without a will) in Pennsylvania, their assets are distributed according to state intestacy laws. The Schuylkill County Orphans' Court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate.

Probate Attorneys

Closest to this court, Pennsylvania

Jay Wagner

Stevens & Lee

Reading · 28 mi

Fiduciary LitigationTestamentary Planning+1

C. Thomas (Tom) Work

Stevens & Lee

Reading · 28 mi

Eric Strauss

Worth, Magee and Fisher, P.C.

Allentown · 36 mi

Trust and Estate AdministrationGeneral Trust & Estate+1

Jerry Chariton

Chariton & Malak

Wilkes Barre · 41 mi

Marielle Hazen

Hazen Law Group

Harrisburg · 43 mi

Elder LawGeneral Trust & Estate+2
See more attorneys near Schuylkill County →

Related Resources

Pennsylvania Probate Guide →All Pennsylvania Courts →Financial Institutions →