The Estate Planning Guide Est. 2026

Pennsylvania Probate Fee Sheet (Printable)

By The Estate Planning Guide Editorial Team Researched against primary sources

Published August 15, 2026 5 min read

Quick answer

Pennsylvania does not set probate fees by statute. Attorney and executor fees must be 'reasonable,' and most Orphans' Court judges measure 'reasonable' against the Johnson Estate fee schedule (a 1983 graduated percentage table starting at 5% on the first $100,000 of the estate). In practice, total attorney fees for a routine PA estate run roughly 1.5% to 4% of the gross estate (often $3,000 to $10,000+ for a typical estate), and executor commissions track the same Johnson Estate percentages. The bigger cost driver is usually Pennsylvania's inheritance tax (0% to 15% depending on the heir's relationship), which is due 9 months after death with a 5% discount if paid within 3 months.

⚠️ Educational information only — not legal, tax, or financial advice.

The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Pennsylvania with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.

This page is built to print. Use your browser's Print command and choose "Save as PDF" for a one-page Pennsylvania reference. Every figure below is compiled from the statutes and state authorities listed at the bottom — the same sources cited on our Pennsylvania probate pages.

Pennsylvania probate fees

Item Pennsylvania
Court filing fee Set by each county Register of Wills and tiered by estate value. Typical opening probate fees run roughly $75 to $500+, plus $5–$25 per short certificate and small charges for certified copies and will filings. Larger estates and urban counties (Philadelphia, Allegheny) sit at the higher end.
Attorney fees Pennsylvania does not set attorney fees by statute; fees must be 'reasonable' under the circumstances. There is no mandatory schedule, but Orphans' Court judges routinely benchmark reasonableness against the graduated percentage schedule attached to Johnson Estate, 4 Fid. Rep. 2d 6 (O.C. Del. 1983). Attorneys may also charge flat fees or hourly rates.
Executor / personal representative fees Executor (personal representative) compensation is set by 20 Pa. C.S. §3537, which requires 'such compensation as shall in the circumstances be reasonable and just.' The Johnson Estate schedule is the most commonly cited benchmark: 5% on the first $100,000, 4% on the next $100,000, 3% on the next $800,000, 2% on the next $1,000,000, and tiered lower above that.
Fee basis reasonable (customary schedule)
Appraisal / referee Pennsylvania does not use a state-appointed probate referee or appraiser. The personal representative values assets (typically using date-of-death appraisals for real estate and unique personal property), and those values are reported on the inheritance tax return (REV-1500), which the PA Department of Revenue reviews.

Worked example

On a $500,000 Pennsylvania estate, the Johnson Estate schedule produces a commission of roughly $14,000 to $18,000, though the actual "reasonable" fee depends on the work involved and can be challenged by beneficiaries.

Pennsylvania thresholds and deadlines

Item Pennsylvania
Small-estate threshold Under 20 Pa. C.S. §3102, the Orphans' Court may direct distribution of a small estate by petition if personal property does not exceed $50,000. Separately, 20 Pa. C.S. §3101 lets banks, employers, and life insurers release limited amounts directly to family without letters — the bank-deposit cap was raised from $10,000 to $20,000 effective January 23, 2026.
Creditor claim period Pennsylvania has a one-year claims period from advertisement of letters under 20 Pa. C.S. §3384, but in practice the 9-month inheritance tax filing deadline and the Department of Revenue's 3–6 month review period set the effective timeline.
Typical duration 9 to 18 months for a routine, uncontested estate. Simple estates can close in 6 to 9 months; contested estates or those with complex assets often run 2+ years. The 9-month inheritance tax filing deadline and the Department of Revenue's review period effectively set a floor.
Transfer-on-death deed Pennsylvania does NOT have a statutory transfer-on-death deed for real estate. PA residents who want to pass real estate outside probate typically use a revocable living trust or joint ownership.
Note on the creditor-claim clock. The period above does not start on the same event in every state — depending on the statute it can run from the date of death, from the date letters are issued to the personal representative, or from first publication of notice. The Pennsylvania trigger is stated in the row above, as written in the statute.

What passes outside Pennsylvania probate

These transfers are not part of the estate the fees above are calculated on:

  • Beneficiary designations — retirement accounts, life insurance, payable-on-death accounts.
  • Joint ownership with right of survivorship.
  • Transfer-on-death deed — Pennsylvania does NOT have a statutory transfer-on-death deed for real estate. PA residents who want to pass real estate outside probate typically use a revocable living trust or joint ownership.
  • Assets titled into a funded living trust.

Sources for this sheet

Compiled August 15, 2026 from the sources listed above. Fee schedules, thresholds, and court costs are amended by legislatures and courts — confirm each figure against the cited statute or the Pennsylvania court before relying on it.

The full Pennsylvania guides

Fee sheets for other states

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This sheet sets out Pennsylvania probate figures as published at the time of compilation. It is not legal advice. Figures and statutes change and their application depends on the specific estate. Confirm current figures with the Pennsylvania courts or a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.

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