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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationPennsylvania

The small estate petition in Pennsylvania

Where Pennsylvania law lets a smaller estate be settled without full probate, these are the official words on how: who may use the route, what it covers and what the paperwork must say. Whether a particular estate fits is for the court, the bank or company holding the asset, or an attorney in Pennsylvania; nothing on this page decides it.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

The free first-week checklist

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

Settlement of a small estate on petition to the orphans’ court division: the value limit, and what does not count toward it

When any person dies domiciled in the Commonwealth owning property (exclusive of real estate and of property payable under section 3101 …) of a gross value not exceeding $50,000, the orphans' court division of the county wherein the decedent was domiciled at the time of his death, upon petition of any party in interest, … may direct distribution of the property

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3102

A bank account paid to the family: the limit, who comes first, the funeral bill, and the amendment that changed it

(b) Deposit account.--Any bank, … shall pay the amount on deposit or represented by the certificate, when the total standing to the credit of the decedent in that institution does not exceed $20,000, to the spouse, any child, the father or mother or any sister or brother (preference being given in the order named) … provided that a receipted funeral bill or an affidavit, executed by a licensed funeral director … is presented.

2025 Amendment. Act 50 amended subsecs. (b) and (e)(1)(i).

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3101(b)

Unpaid wages paid to the family, and a smaller insurance sum owed to the estate: the limits, and the wait

in an amount not exceeding $10,000 to the spouse, any child, the father or mother, or any sister or brother (preference being given in the order named) of the deceased employee

owes his estate a total amount of $11,000 or less under any policy of life, endowment, accident or health insurance, … may at any time after 60 days following his death pay all or any part of that amount

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3101(a), (d)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

When any person dies domiciled in the Commonwealth owning property (exclusive of real estate and of property payable under section 3101 …) of a gross value not exceeding $50,000, the orphans' court division of the county wherein the decedent was domiciled at the time of his death, upon petition of any party in interest, … may direct distribution of the property

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3102

When any person dies domiciled in the Commonwealth owning property (exclusive of real estate and of property payable under section 3101 …) of a gross value not exceeding $50,000, the orphans' court division of the county wherein the decedent was domiciled at the time of his death, upon petition of any party in interest, … may direct distribution of the property

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3102

When any person dies domiciled in the Commonwealth owning property (exclusive of real estate and of property payable under section 3101 …) of a gross value not exceeding $50,000, the orphans' court division of the county wherein the decedent was domiciled at the time of his death, upon petition of any party in interest, … may direct distribution of the property

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3102

(b) Deposit account.--Any bank, … shall pay the amount on deposit or represented by the certificate, when the total standing to the credit of the decedent in that institution does not exceed $20,000, to the spouse, any child, the father or mother or any sister or brother (preference being given in the order named) … provided that a receipted funeral bill or an affidavit, executed by a licensed funeral director … is presented.

2025 Amendment. Act 50 amended subsecs. (b) and (e)(1)(i).

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3101(b)

in an amount not exceeding $10,000 to the spouse, any child, the father or mother, or any sister or brother (preference being given in the order named) of the deceased employee

owes his estate a total amount of $11,000 or less under any policy of life, endowment, accident or health insurance, … may at any time after 60 days following his death pay all or any part of that amount

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3101(a), (d)

in an amount not exceeding $10,000 to the spouse, any child, the father or mother, or any sister or brother (preference being given in the order named) of the deceased employee

owes his estate a total amount of $11,000 or less under any policy of life, endowment, accident or health insurance, … may at any time after 60 days following his death pay all or any part of that amount

Pennsylvania · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 20 Pa.C.S. §3101(a), (d)

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.

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