All Mini-Guides

Filing for letters testamentary is one of the very first steps in the probate process, and it's easy to get held up on paperwork requirements you didn't know existed.

Contesting a will means formally challenging its validity in court, rather than simply disagreeing with how the assets were divided.

Many people use the words "probate" and "trust administration" interchangeably. They don't. Both are legal processes for settling someone's affairs after death, but they work differently, follow different rules, and often move at very different speeds.

You want someone close by, someone you can trust, and someone who actually knows Pennsylvania probate law inside and out.

Debt is one of the most anxiety-producing aspects of settling a loved one's estate — and one of the areas where having experienced legal guidance makes the most meaningful difference. At The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm, we serve families of Pennsylvania residents. This post explains what happens to debt when someone dies in Pennsylvania, how creditors are handled during probate, and what executors need to know to protect themselves and the estate.

Pittsburgh probate attorney Wendy Witt explains Pennsylvania's legal requirements for a valid will — and what can make one invalid. Free consultation available.

By Wendy Witt, Pittsburgh Probate Attorney | The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm Being named executor of a loved one's estate is a significant responsibility — and most executors carry it out faithfully and with genuine care. But what happens when they don't? What happens when an executor is mismanaging the estate, ignoring their legal duties, or acting in their own interests rather than the interests of the beneficiaries? Pennsylvania law provides a remedy. An executor can be re

By Wendy Witt, Pittsburgh Probate Attorney | The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm If you have recently been named executor of a loved one's estate in Pennsylvania, you may have heard the term fiduciary duty. It may have come from an attorney, a court document, or something you read online. And you may be wondering what it actually means — and why it matters to you personally. The short answer is that fiduciary duty is the legal foundation of everything you do as executor. Understa

One of the first questions families ask when facing the probate process is: What is this going to cost? It is a completely reasonable question — and one that deserves a thorough, honest answer.

Pittsburgh probate attorney Wendy Witt explains the legitimate ways to avoid or reduce probate in Pennsylvania — and when avoiding it may not be the right goal. Free consultation available.

By Wendy Witt, Pittsburgh Probate Attorney | The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm When someone passes away without a will, it can add a layer of uncertainty to an already difficult time. Family members may assume that without a will, there is nothing to do — or conversely, that everything will dissolve into legal chaos. Neither is true. Pennsylvania has a clear, established legal framework for exactly this situation, and understanding it can bring a measure of calm to what feels l

If you've just learned that you've been named executor of a Pennsylvania estate, this guide is for you. Here is an honest, detailed look at what the role actually involves — and how to carry it out without making costly mistakes.

How long is probate going to take? It's a completely reasonable thing to want to know. You're grieving, you're dealing with family, and the last thing you want is an open-ended legal process hanging over you for an unknown period of time.

By Wendy Witt, Pittsburgh Probate Attorney | The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm When a loved one passes away, you're suddenly faced with decisions you never expected to make — and one of the most important is choosing the right attorney to guide you through probate. The problem is, most people have never hired a probate attorney before. You don't know what questions to ask, what credentials matter, or how to tell the difference between someone who will genuinely help you and som

By Wendy Witt, Pittsburgh Probate Attorney | The Pittsburgh Probate Law Firm Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things you'll ever go through. And yet, within days of the loss, families are often expected to make legal and financial decisions they've never faced before — without a roadmap, without a guide, and often while still in shock. This post is the roadmap for what happens after someone dies in Pennsylvania Whether you've just lost a parent, a spouse, or a si

Here's what you need to know. The tax rate depends on your relationship to the person who died. Miss the deadline, and you'll face penalties and interest on top of what's already owed.

And now you're wondering: Do I actually need a probate attorney in Pennsylvania? Or can I handle this myself?