What Does an Executor Do in Pennsylvania? A Step-by-Step Guide
When someone you love passes away, the grief is hard enough without a pile of legal paperwork landing on your desk. If you have been named executor in a Pennsylvania will, you may be wondering what the job actually involves and whether you can handle it. This guide walks through the role in plain language so you know what to expect.
What does an executor do in Pennsylvania?
An executor, also called a personal representative, is the person responsible for settling a deceased person’s estate. In short, the executor gathers the assets, pays the legitimate debts and taxes, and distributes what remains to the beneficiaries named in the will. The process of overseeing all of this is called estate administration, or probate.
Step-by-step: the executor’s core responsibilities
Locate the original will and keep it safe. The original document, not a copy, is what the court will need.
Obtain certified copies of the death certificate. Banks, insurers and agencies will each ask for one.
Open the estate with your county’s Register of Wills. Once you are formally appointed, you receive the legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Take inventory of the assets. This includes bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, investments, retirement accounts and personal property.
Notify beneficiaries, creditors and the appropriate agencies, and follow the notice requirements that apply to the estate.
Pay valid debts, final expenses and any taxes that are owed, including final income tax returns and, where it applies, Pennsylvania inheritance tax.
Distribute what is left to the beneficiaries according to the will, and keep careful records of every transaction.
How long does estate administration take?
There is no single timeline. A small, straightforward estate may move along relatively quickly, while an estate with real estate, a business, unpaid taxes or family disagreements can take considerably longer. Careful record keeping and prompt responses to deadlines are the best ways to keep things moving.
Common mistakes first-time executors make
Paying out bequests to beneficiaries before debts and taxes are fully settled.
Mixing estate money with personal funds instead of keeping a separate estate account.
Missing a notice or filing deadline because nobody told them it existed.
Failing to document decisions, which can create problems if a beneficiary later questions them.
Do I need an attorney to be an executor?
Pennsylvania does not require an executor to hire an attorney in every case, but the role carries real responsibility. An executor can be held personally accountable for mistakes, so many families choose to work with an estate administration attorney who knows the local Register of Wills process and can handle the filings, deadlines and tax questions.
If you are in Western Pennsylvania and have been named executor, our attorneys can walk you through each step. Learn more about how we help families with estate administration and probate, or read our related article on what happens if you die without a will in Pennsylvania.
Planning ahead makes the executor’s job easier
If you are the one making a will, the best gift you can give your executor is an organized, up-to-date plan. A current will, a clear list of accounts and a conversation with the person you are naming all help prevent confusion later. Our estate planning team helps clients put these pieces in place before they are needed.
Talk with a Pennsylvania estate administration attorney
Nalli, Elias & Associates, P.C. is located at 150 Pleasant Drive, Suite 101, Aliquippa, PA 15001, and is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, with other hours available by appointment. Call 724-375-4005 or 724-846-9100, or email info@nallilaw.com. Reaching out through the website or email does not create an attorney-client relationship, so please do not send confidential or time-sensitive information until one has been established.
This article is general information for Pennsylvania families and is not legal advice. Every situation is different, so speak with an attorney about your own circumstances.
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