Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Is there a time limit to settle an estate. One year ,two years or is there no time limit to settle an estate.


Asked on 2/27/15, 11:54 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

There is no time limit. Absent unusual circumstances, most estates are resolved in 1-2 years. An estate cannot be closed until the revenue department has issued a notice.

If estates are going to remain open longer than a year status reports have to be filed with the probate court.

I suggest that you contact the probate court in the county where the estate is pending and go and review the file . Was an inventory filed? An accounting? What has been done on the estate if anything? Have status reports been filed? Depending on what you learn, you may then want to make a copy of the file and have it reviewed by your own lawyer. If the executor has not done is or her job properly, then the attorney can petition to remove the executor and you can be appointed to complete the administration of the estate.

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Answered on 2/27/15, 10:22 pm


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