Overview
Centre County is located in Pennsylvania with a population of approximately 158,000. The Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Pennsylvania probate is governed by Title 20 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (PEF Code). The process begins with filing a Petition for Grant of Letters to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Pennsylvania offers a simplified procedure for small estates valued at $50,000 or less (excluding real estate and certain other assets). This process, known as a Small Estate Petition (Section 3102), allows for the direct distribution of assets without full estate administration.
Pennsylvania does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or executors, but fees must be "reasonable" based on the Johnson Estate factors.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Centre County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court
Probate matters in Centre County are handled at the Willowbank Office Building.
Address: 414 Holmes Street, Suite 2, Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-6724 (Register of Wills)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
The Register of Wills is responsible for probating wills and granting letters of administration. The office also serves as the agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the collection of inheritance taxes.
Parking and Access
Free parking is available for the Willowbank Office Building in the designated lots (Upper, Middle, and Side lots) surrounding the building. The building is accessible to the public during business hours.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Petition: If the estate is valued at $50,000 or less (excluding real estate), you may file a petition for a decree of distribution without formal administration.
- Non-Probate Assets: Assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts) or held jointly with rights of survivorship generally do not pass through probate.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Grant of Letters with the Register of Wills. Include:
- Original Will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Estate Information Sheet
- Filing fee (varies by estate value)
- Valid photo ID for the personal representative
The Centre County Register of Wills offers Virtual Probate services by appointment. Call (814) 355-6724 to schedule.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice (Rule 10.5 Notice) to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties within 3 months of the grant of letters.
- Publish notice in the Centre County Legal Journal and one newspaper of general circulation (e.g., Centre Daily Times) once a week for three successive weeks.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
For standard probate, a formal hearing is often not required unless there is a dispute. The Register of Wills typically processes the petition and issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration administratively upon review of the documents.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Advertise the estate grant (publication)
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets
- File the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Return (REV-1500) within 9 months of the date of death
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Status Report or First and Final Account to close the estate
Local Requirements
Centre County-Specific Procedures
- Virtual Probate: Centre County allows for virtual probate via video conference. Appointments are required.
- Estate Information Sheet: A local or state-standard Estate Information Sheet must be submitted with the petition.
- Inheritance Tax: The Register of Wills acts as the agent for the PA Department of Revenue. Inheritance tax returns are filed directly with this office.
- Publication: Notice must be published in the Centre County Legal Journal and a newspaper of general circulation (e.g., Centre Daily Times) for three successive weeks.
Always check with the Register of Wills for the most current local rules and fee schedules.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Centre County)
- Probate of Will / Grant of Letters: Fees are based on the value of the estate.
- Estates under $1,000: approximately $20.00
- Estates $1,000 - $5,000: approximately $30.00 - $40.00
- Fees increase incrementally based on estate value.
- JCS/ATJ/OAG Fees: Additional state fees (approx. $40.25) apply to most filings.
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $5.00 - $10.00 per short certificate
- Publication costs: approximately $140.00 for the Centre County Legal Journal plus costs for the general circulation newspaper.
Note: Fees are subject to change. Consult the official fee schedule effective January 1, 2026.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Credit cards may be accepted with a convenience fee.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 9-12 months (driven largely by the 9-month inheritance tax deadline)
- Average estates: 12-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to 2+ years
Creditors have one year from the date of publication to file claims against the estate.
Local Resources
Centre County Court Resources
- Register of Wills Website: centrecountypa.gov
- Fee Schedule: Fee Schedule (PDF)
- PA Courts Forms: pacourts.us
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Centre County Bar Association: (814) 548-0052 — centrecountybar.org
- MidPenn Legal Services: (814) 238-4958 — Provides legal aid to eligible low-income residents.
- PA Bar Association Lawyer Referral: pabar.org
Publication
- Centre County Legal Journal: (814) 234-1500 — Official legal publication.
- Centre Daily Times: (814) 238-5000 — Newspaper of general circulation.