Overview
Lancaster County is the seventh-most-populous county in Pennsylvania, located in the south-central part of the state. The Lancaster County Register of Wills handles probate of wills, granting of Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration, and inheritance tax filings for decedents domiciled in the county. The office is located in the Lancaster County Courthouse in downtown Lancaster.
Pennsylvania probate provides several options. Estates valued at $50,000 or less in personal property (excluding real estate) may qualify for a small estate affidavit. Larger estates require formal probate. The PA inheritance tax applies at rates of 0% (spouse), 4.5% (lineal descendants), 12% (siblings), and 15% (others).
Lancaster County is home to a large and diverse population including significant Amish and Mennonite communities, which may have unique estate planning considerations.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Lancaster County probate process. It is not legal advice. Verify current requirements with the Register of Wills or a qualified attorney.
Courthouse Information
Lancaster County Register of Wills
The Lancaster County Register of Wills is located in the Lancaster County Courthouse in downtown Lancaster.
Address: Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: (717) 299-8243
Website: co.lancaster.pa.us/159/Register-of-Wills
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
The office is located on the second floor of the courthouse. Staff can provide general information about filing requirements but cannot offer legal advice.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available in downtown Lancaster, including nearby garages and metered street parking. The courthouse is located near Penn Square. Visitors should plan for security screening at the building entrance.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine the Estate Pathway
- Formal Probate (Testate): File a Petition for Probate with the original will.
- Letters of Administration (Intestate): File when there is no valid will.
- Small Estate Affidavit: For estates with $50,000 or less in personal property (excluding real estate).
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
- Original will and codicils (if applicable)
- Certified death certificate
- Completed Petition for Probate or Letters of Administration
- Photo identification
- Filing fee payment
Step 3: File with the Register of Wills
File in person at the Lancaster County Courthouse, second floor. The Register of Wills reviews the petition and issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. Short certificates are provided for asset collection.
Step 4: Publish Estate Notices
Publish a Notice of Estate once a week for three successive weeks in the Lancaster Law Review (the county legal journal) and one newspaper of general circulation in the county.
Step 5: Inventory, Tax, and Closing
File an Inventory within 9 months. File the PA Inheritance Tax Return within 9 months (5% discount if paid within 3 months). Administer the estate and close through a formal accounting or Family Settlement Agreement.
Local Requirements
Lancaster County-Specific Procedures
- Publication of estate notices must appear in the Lancaster Law Review and one newspaper of general circulation.
- Forms are available on the Lancaster County Register of Wills website.
- Case search is available online through the Lancaster County website.
- Inventory must be filed within 9 months of death.
- PA Inheritance Tax Return is due within 9 months (5% discount if paid within 3 months).
Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax Rates
- 0% — Surviving spouse
- 4.5% — Lineal descendants and lineal ancestors
- 12% — Siblings
- 15% — All other transferees
Bond Requirements
Bond may be required for the personal representative. The will may waive bond. For intestate estates, bond is typically required.
Family Settlement Agreements
Lancaster County estates may be closed through a Family Settlement Agreement when all beneficiaries are adults, competent, and agree on distribution. This is a common and practical approach to closing estates without formal court accountings.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Lancaster County)
- Probate of Will / Letters Testamentary: approximately $175-$350
- Letters of Administration: approximately $175-$350
- Short Certificates: varies
- Publication costs: vary by newspaper
Fees may be updated. Contact the Register of Wills at (717) 299-8243 for the current fee schedule.
Payment Methods
Contact the Register of Wills for accepted payment methods.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates: 6-12 months
- Average estates: 12-18 months
- Complex or contested estates: 18 months to several years
The minimum timeline includes the 9-month inventory and tax return deadlines.
Local Resources
Lancaster County Register of Wills Resources
- Register of Wills Website: co.lancaster.pa.us/159/Register-of-Wills
- Forms: co.lancaster.pa.us/286/Forms
- Case Search: paperless.lancastercountypa.gov
- PA Inheritance Tax Forms: revenue.pa.gov
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- MidPenn Legal Services — Lancaster: (717) 299-0971
- Lancaster Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (717) 393-0737
Publication
- Lancaster Law Review: 28 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 — designated legal journal for Lancaster County estate notices