Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Re: without bond

Unless the will provides that the personal representative shall serve "without" bond, a bond is required. It is a form of insurance that the personal representative act properly, and claims may be made against the bonding company if the personal representative did not act properly, such as using estate assets for her/his own behalf, or not making paying debts and taxes and making distributions as provided in a will or by law.

Most wills do provide that the personal representative not be required to post a bond, first, because usually, the person making the Will places trust in the people named as personal representative or trustee, and second, it becomes an additional cost.

Bonds may be required when a person dies without a will (intestate).