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.

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

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.