Probate cost · Pennsylvania
Probate cost in Pennsylvania
What every fee is, who sets it, and what a typical estate actually pays end to end.
Probate in Pennsylvania costs about $28,600 to $41,700 for a $500,000 estate. The Orphans Court charges $200 to open the case. Executor and attorney fees are the largest line items, set under § 3102. Publication, bond, and appraisal add $400-$3,500.
Fee breakdown
Every probate cost in Pennsylvania, itemized. Amounts vary by county and by estate complexity.
| Court filing fee | $200 | Register of Wills fee scales with estate value, roughly $100 to $500. |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice | $100 - $300 | Newspaper notice to creditors, required in most counties. |
| Executor bond | Up to $2,000 | Often waived by the will. When required, premium is ~0.5% of the estate value. |
| Appraisal | $300 - $1,200 | For real estate, business interests, or unique personal property. |
| Executor fee | $18,000 on $500k | No statute. Courts customarily follow the Johnson Estate schedule (5-1% sliding scale). |
| Attorney fee | $10,000 - $20,000 on $500k | Attorney fees are set by the register and run 2-4% of the estate for routine work. |
Total by estate size
Estimated total probate cost in Pennsylvania across three common estate sizes. Uses statutory fees where Pennsylvania has them, market ranges where it doesn't.
| $200,000 estate | $13,600 - $20,700 |
|---|---|
| $500,000 estate | $28,600 - $41,700 |
| $1,000,000 estate | $53,600 - $76,700 |
Ranges assume an uncontested estate with one parcel of real property. Contested estates, out-of-state assets, and businesses add cost.
How to reduce probate cost in Pennsylvania
- If the estate is under $50,000, use a small estate affidavit instead of full probate.
- Convert accounts to payable-on-death and beneficiary designations before death. Those assets bypass probate entirely.
- Use a revocable living trust for real estate to avoid the Orphans Court probate process.
- Ask the will to waive bond. That saves the $0-$2,000 premium.
- For clean, uncontested estates, use a cost calculator first so you know what to expect before hiring counsel.
Common questions
How much does probate cost in Pennsylvania?
Total probate cost in Pennsylvania for a $500,000 estate typically runs $28,600 to $41,700. A $200,000 estate costs about $13,600-$20,700, a $1M estate $53,600-$76,700. Court filing alone is $200.
Who pays probate fees in Pennsylvania?
The estate pays every probate cost from estate assets before heirs receive anything. Executor and attorney fees, the Orphans Court filing fee, publication, and bond premiums all come out of the estate under § 3102.
Can I reduce probate cost?
Yes. Using the small estate affidavit skips full probate when the estate is under the state threshold ($50,000 in Pennsylvania). Beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and living trusts also keep assets out of probate entirely.
What is the executor fee in Pennsylvania?
No statute. Courts customarily follow the Johnson Estate schedule (5-1% sliding scale).
How long does it take to pay these fees?
Filing and publication are paid at filing. Executor and attorney fees are approved by the Orphans Court at the end, typically 6 months after opening the estate.
Where in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, probate fees are paid at the Orphans Court in the county where your relative lived at death. These three counties handle the largest caseload.
- County seat
Philadelphia County
Orphans Court - courthouse in Philadelphia
- County seat
Allegheny County
Orphans Court - courthouse in Pittsburgh
- County seat
Montgomery County
Orphans Court - courthouse in Norristown
Every Pennsylvania county has its own Orphans Court clerk. Filing fees and processing time vary by county.
Other tasks in Pennsylvania
Related: Probate in Pennsylvania · Cost calculator · Probate timeline