Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Unless a person is changing the mailing address for her or himself, the person requesting the change has to show that s/he is authorized to make the request.

A short certificate represents the formal appointment of a personal representative to administer the estate of a deceased, and therefore the personal representative would be authorized to make the request. The only government official who may issue a short certificate is the Register of Wills in the county where the deceased resided.

This response is not legal advice, since I do not have all of the information that would be required, and I do not have a representation agreement with you.

* If the answers to your question confirm that you have a valid issue or worthwhile claim, your next step should almost always be to establish a dialog with a lawyer who can provide specific advice to you. Contact a lawyer in your county or township.

* Another reason for contacting a lawyer is that it is often impossible to give a good answer in the Internet Q&A format without having more information. The unique circumstances of your situation and things that you may not have thought to mention in your question may completely change the answer. If you want to be sure that you have a complete answer to your question and an understanding of what that answer means, establish a connection with a lawyer who practices in the area of your concern.

Attorney Jacobson has explained it. You cannot just walk into the post office and change someone else's address legally. If a person is deceased, you have to be appointed as the personal representative by the court. The short certificate will be evidence that you are the personal represntative and that you are authorized to make this change.