Skip to Content

We are a Veteran Owned Business, providing 20% discounts for Veterans, First Responders, Elementary and High School teachers. Please contact us to set up a phone or Zoom meeting. Taking care of you and your family, It's What We Do!

Do I Pay Probate Fees on Real Property Located Outside Pennsylvania?

Posted on Wed Sep 7, 2016, on Probate and Estate Administration

From Our “Ask a Question” mailbag: Do I pay probate fees on real property located outside of Pennsylvania? 

Most Recently Updated August 8, 2018.

“I am the executor of my mother’s estate in Philadelphia.  She owned an Atlantic County, New Jersey shore home.  When I file the Will, do I pay Probate Fees on real property located outside Pennsylvania?”

Do I pay probate fees on real property located outside of Pennsylvania

How to Begin Probate?

In Pennsylvania, probate begins when the executor files the original Will and death certificate with the Register of Wills.  The Register keeps the Will and death certificate.  In exchange, the Register officially recognizes the executor.  The Register charges a small fee for this service.

The “probate estate’s” size determines the Register’s fee.  The probate estate is the portion of the estate that passes through the Will. Things like accounts with beneficiary designations or jointly held real property do not pass through the Will. These pass “outside of probate.”

The Probate Estate Determines Probate Fees.

You give an estimated value of the “probate estate” when you first Petition the Register.  The initial estimate determines the initial fee. The Executor must then file a “verified inventory” within nine months.  The inventory states the exact value of all probate assets. If the final value exceeds the initial estimated value, the Register may levy an additional amount. Some assets, though, are excluded from paying the fee.

See my website for more information about the Probate Process.

More Probate Questions?

Paying appropriate fees is only part of the overall probate process. By all means, if you wish to learn more, please read my more detailed article, The Probate Process All You Need to Know.

In Conclusion: Do I pay probate fees on real property located outside of Pennsylvania?

I hope that this article was helpful in explaining probate fees on property out of state. Further, I included links to even more detailed information on my website. Therefore, please contact me and let me know how I did. Certainly, your comments and questions are welcome!

Let our Probate Lawyers help walk you through what can be a confusing process. To begin with, call to speak to one of our experienced Probate Attorneys.  By all means, our lawyers are ready to answer your questions. In fact, feel free to contact our office for a free consultation. Ultimately our goal is to make the process as painless as possible!

Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Estate Litigation, It’s All We Do

Tags:

Amy Besser, Estate Administration, Philadelphia, Probate, Probate Attorney, Probate Fees, Probate Lawyer, Register of Wills

Peter KlenkPeter Klenk

What Our clients are saying

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

David Major

Had our will done with Peter and his team. Made the process super easy and understandable. His team lead by Laura Parisi were always available for questions and assistance. Professional and personable they made what can be a challenging experience hopeful and graceful. Cannot recommend their services enough!

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Callista O “Callista O” Chukwunenye

I knew I needed to update my Estate Planning documents created 15 years ago, yet I kept putting it off. Peter, in his no pressure way nudged me to finally check it off my list. The admin staff of Klenk law were very respectful and responsive in working with me to set up dates and times that work for me to talk with Peter over the phone regarding what I wanted to update. Peter answered my questions and explained some things to me. This helped me on some of my estate decision. After our phone talk, I received a draft of the updated documents, and was allowed ample time to review them prior to a final review with Peter over the phone. This pre-signing reviews made the in-person signing time very short. I would highly recommend Klenk Law, because Peter and his staff were professional but friendly, and thorough in the estate planning work they did for me. Thank you, Peter!

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Joseph Atencio

I've been through the process of creating and revising estate documents several times over the years and it's never been easier than it was with Peter Klenk. Always available and a master at explain arcane tax and legal issues in plain English for "dummies". I recommend the firm without reservation.

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

James Palmer

Recently hired this firm to help me write a will (something I had been procrastinating on doing for too long). The process was quick, easy, painless and I'm glad that thanks to the great team at this firm I was able to cross this off my "to do" list!!

Klenk Law Logo
Stars

Maureen O'Ryan

Peter Klenk was great at explaining complicated issues and making them understandable. He and his team were extremely efficient and I highly recommend them for the creation of wills and trusts.

Let us put our expertise to work for you.

Free consultation within 24 hours.