Title 20, DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES

1999 Repeal. Section 3504 was repealed October 12, 1999, P.L.422, No.39, effective in 60 days.

In any county having a separate orphans' court division, the account of a personal representative shall be examined and audited by the court without expense to the parties, except when all parties in interest in a pending proceeding shall nominate an auditor whom the court may in…

In any county having no separate orphans' court division, the account of a personal representative shall be confirmed by the court or by the clerk, as local rules shall prescribe, if no objections are presented within a time fixed by general rule of court. If any party in interes…

A personal representative filing an account shall file a statement of proposed distribution or a request that distribution be determined by the court or by an auditor, as local rules may prescribe. The statement of proposed distribution shall be in such form, and such notice ther…

No account shall be confirmed, or statement of proposed distribution approved, until an adjudication or a decree of distribution is filed in conformity with local rules by the court or by the clerk of the court, expressly confirming the account or approving the statement of propo…

If any party in interest shall, within five years after the final confirmation of any account of a personal representative, file a petition to review any part of the account or of an auditor's report, or of the adjudication, or of any decree of distribution, setting forth specifi…

When the gross real and personal estate of a decedent does not exceed the value of $50,000, the personal representative, after the expiration of one year from the date of the first complete advertisement of the grant of letters, may present his petition to the court with an annex…

(a) Rights of claimants against personal representatives.--A personal representative, at his own risk and without the filing, audit or confirmation of his account, may distribute real or personal property and such distribution shall be without liability to any claimant against th…

A personal representative shall be relieved of liability with respect to all real and personal estate distributed in conformity with a decree of court or in accordance with rule of court after confirmation of an account. In making any such distribution, the personal representativ…

The court, for cause shown, may order the estate to be distributed in kind to the parties in interest, including fiduciaries. In such case, when there are two or more distributees, distribution may be made of undivided interests in real or personal estate or the personal represen…

Except as otherwise provided in the will, if any, the personal representative shall pay as an expense of administration the reasonable expenses of storage, insurance, packing and delivery of tangible personal property to a beneficiary. (July 7, 2006, P.L.625, No.98, eff. 60 days)…

Upon application of any party in interest and after such notice as the court shall direct, the court may order the personal representative to deliver to any distributee possession of any real estate to which he is entitled, provided that claimants and other distributees are not p…

A certified copy of every adjudication or decree awarding real estate or an appropriate excerpt from either of them shall be recorded, at the expense of the estate, in the deed book in the office of the recorder of deeds of each county where the real estate so awarded lies, shall…

The court shall allow such compensation to the personal representative as shall in the circumstances be reasonable and just, and may calculate such compensation on a graduated percentage.

A personal representative may administer an estate on the assumption that no person born out of wedlock is entitled to share as a distributee unless the personal representative has knowledge or has received notice that such a person with possible distributee's rights exists. If a…

A personal representative shall have no liability for continued distribution of real or personal property in accordance with a pattern of distribution that conformed to the law in effect when distribution began, notwithstanding any intervening change in law that would require a d…

(a) Distributions due absentees.-- (1) If the continued existence or whereabouts of an heir, devisee or legatee who once existed cannot be ascertained at the time of the audit of the personal representative's account, the court, unless it finds pursuant to section 5701 (relating …

(a) General rules.--Except as otherwise provided by the will, if the assets are insufficient to pay all claimants and distributees in full, the shares of distributees, without distinction between real and personal estate, shall have priority of distribution in the following order…

The court may make orders of contribution among legatees or devisees to accomplish an abatement in accordance with the provisions of section 3541 (relating to order of abatement), and may determine whether the amount thereof shall be paid before distribution or shall constitute a…

(a) Pecuniary legacy.--A pecuniary legacy bequeathed in trust shall be entitled to income at the rate of 5% per annum from the death of the decedent until the payment of the legacy, and when not in trust from one year after the death of the decedent until the payment of the legac…

A personal representative who has committed a breach of duty with respect to estate assets shall, in the discretion of the court, be liable for interest, not exceeding the legal rate on such assets. Cross References. Section 3544 is referred to in sections 5163, 5533 of this titl…

(a) Filing in common pleas.--The prothonotary of any court of common pleas shall, on demand of any party in interest, file and docket a certified transcript or extract from the record showing that an orphans' court division has adjudged an amount to be due by a personal represent…

(a) Applicability.--This section shall apply if: (1) A person dies leaving an interest in real estate within this Commonwealth. (2) Either of the following occurs: (i) No letters testamentary or letters of administration have been granted on the estate of the decedent in this Com…

When a sum of money is charged upon real or personal property by will, inter vivos trust or decree, and has become payable, the court having jurisdiction of the estate or trust, upon petition of a party in interest and after notice to all persons liable for its payment and to the…

When a sum of money is charged upon real or personal property by will, inter vivos trust or decree, and is payable at a future date, the court having jurisdiction of the estate or trust, upon petition of a party in interest and after such notice as it shall direct, aided by the r…

(a) Payment into court.--When real or personal property by will, inter vivos trust or decree is subject to a charge which has become payable, the court which has jurisdiction of the estate or trust, upon petition of a party in interest and after such notice as it shall direct, sh…

(a) Lapse of 20 years.--When: (1) for 20 years after the same or any part thereof becomes due, no payment has been made on account of a dower, recognizance, legacy, annuity instalment, or other charge, created by will, agreement, inter vivos trust or court decree, upon real prope…