Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Pennsylvania

Re: Short certificate

It is a certificate issued by the Register of Wills certifying that the personal representative was duly appointed to administer the estate. It is called "short certificate" because it is on 8.5" x 5.5" paper (half the length or regular 8.5" x 11").

The short certificate is used to show banks and other persons that the personal representative is duly authorized to act on behalf of the estate of the deceased. Therefore, most people estimate how many "shorts" they will need by counting bank and brokerage accounts and others to whom they may have to provide the certificate.

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.

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