Estate Administration (Probate)

Probate literally means “to prove,” as in proving the validity of a Will. That term is also commonly used to mean the entire process of administering an estate. Estate administration begins with presenting the Will (if there is one) to the local Register of Wills. If the Register determines that the Will is valid, it is “admitted to probate” and the executor or executors named in the Will is/are appointed to administer the estate. If there is no Will, or if the Will is determined to be invalid, an administrator or administrators is/are appointed to proceed with administering the estate. The term “Personal Representative” is used interchangeably with either an executor or an administrator.

It is the responsibility of the Personal Representative in administering an estate to make an inventory of the deceased person’s assets and have the appraised if necessary, collect any sums owed to the Estate, pay any bills or debts of the Estate, advertise the administration of the Estate in a local newspaper, provide notice of the estate administration to beneficiaries and other persons as required by law or Rule of Court, file Certification that such Notice has been made, file and pay all state and federal (if required) Estate and/or Inheritance Taxes, and ultimately to distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the Will or designated in the Intestate Law.

The experienced Estate Attorney in Shamokin at Mattis & Mattis can guide and assist the Personal Representative in all of his or her duties and responsibilities so that the administration of the Estate runs smoothly and distribution to those entitled is made in a prompt manner. We are experienced and well versed in Northumberland County estate administration (probate) and Wills, in Columbia County estate administration (probate) and Wills, and in Montour County estate administration (probate) and Wills.