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Use This County Probate Reference Before You File

This page is built for the detailed county-level checks that generic probate guides usually miss: local filing fees, Register of Wills and Orphans' Court contact details, administrative orders, e-filing rules, and hearing logistics for Forest County.

Local Fee Schedule

Review county-specific probate filing charges before you estimate total case cost.

Court Rules and Orders

Check the local rules, judge procedures, and administrative orders that can change how a case moves.

Clerk and Filing Logistics

Confirm where to file, whether e-filing is allowed, and how hearings or notices are handled locally.

Forest County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Guide

Thirty Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania · Register of Wills and Orphans' Court information · Updated May 2026

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Filing & Fees

Fee Schedule Signals

Source ↗

Probate Filing Fees

Forest County grant-of-letters (probate) fees are graduated on the estate value and already include the $41.25 JCS surcharge: $61.25 (not exceeding $1,000), $67.25 ($1,000 to $5,000), $78.25 ($5,000 to $10,000), $83.25 ($10,000 to $20,000), $88.25 ($20,000 to $30,000), $93.25 ($30,000 to $40,000), $98.25 ($40,000 to $50,000), $103.25 ($50,000 to $75,000), $108.25 ($75,000 to $100,000), plus $30 for each additional $100,000. A short certificate is $3. Confirm current amounts on the county fee schedule. Source: Forest County Register of Wills fee schedule.

Required Documents

  • County Register of Wills probate or administration petition packet(County ROW packet)

    Opening forms are county-specific. Use the current Register of Wills packet for the county where probate or administration is being opened.

  • Certified death certificate

    Registers of Wills commonly require a certified death certificate for opening letters; confirm copy count and accepted format with the county office.

  • Original will and codicils

    If a will exists, Pennsylvania probate proof is governed by 20 Pa.C.S. Section 3132 and county Register practice.

  • Petition details for letters

    Section 3153 describes petition contents for letters, including decedent, petitioner, interested-party, estate, and requested-letter details.

  • Renunciations, consents, or bond papers

    Whether these are needed depends on the will, priority to serve, bond requirements, and county packet instructions.

  • Short certificate or certified-copy request

    Request after appointment when banks, title companies, agencies, or other holders need certified proof of authority.

  • Inventory materials

    20 Pa.C.S. Section 3301 governs inventory timing after appointment; this is not always an opening-day filing.

  • Small-estate petition and proposed distribution papers(20 Pa.C.S. 3102 petition)

    Use only when the estate may qualify for Pennsylvania small-estate settlement of personal property and the county Orphans' Court accepts the petition.

E-Filing & Filing Methods

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Records portal

Check live court-record information when available. Search results may not include every probate record.

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Filing Methods: in person, mail

Timelines & Proceedings

Deadlines & Creditor Claims

Key Deadlines

Will Deposit
Verify locally
Creditor Claims
12 months
Known Creditor Notice
60 days

Creditor Claims

Period Starts
first complete advertisement of grant of letters
Statute
20 Pa.C.S. Section 3532

Publication Requirements

Advertising the grant of letters

Frequency: Once a week for three successive weeks

  • One newspaper of general circulation published at or near the decedent's residence, or near where letters were granted for a nonresident decedent
  • The legal periodical designated by rule of court for legal notices, if any

The notice must include the personal representative's name and address and request claims and debts to be presented or paid without delay.

Related Proceedings

Property Recording

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Recording Fees

First Page
$74.75

Documentary Stamps

Deed Rate
Pennsylvania realty transfer tax is generally 1% at the state level; local transfer-tax treatment, statements of value, and exemptions require recorder and Department of Revenue review.
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Forest County Tax Claim Bureau

Forest County Courthouse, First Floor, 526 Elm Street, Box 10, Tionesta, PA 16353

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(814) 755-4373

mmiller@forestcountypa.gov

Tax Collector Tax Search

The Tax Claim Bureau page provides delinquent-tax, tax-sale, judicial-sale, repository, municipal tax collector, and millage-rate context. It names the Tax Claim Director and Property Records Manager and says 2026 tax-sale information will be posted when available. Use the bureau and local tax collector directory for current tax, delinquency, and sale context; do not treat this as a certified payoff or title report.