Legal advice and information disclaimer

The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court frequently receive requests for assistance in preparing and/or filing forms required for a particular matter. Our staff are not permitted to offer opinions, directions or instructions on any matter that may be construed as legal advice. We provide, as required, many of the forms needed for estate administration, including the inheritance tax return. The offering of these forms is not a statement that no other forms are necessary or that those provided must be completed in every instance. The Clerk of the Orphans’ Court, acting as a conduit for the court, accepts filings for Orphans’ Court matters. The court, in accordance with federal, state and local rules and statutes, determines the correctness of the filings. The Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court have prepared the information provided on this website. Nothing contained herein is intended to be legal advice or to offer any opinion of the legal remedies available or appropriate in any particular circumstance. It is hoped that the information presented will merely be useful in answering frequently asked questions concerning the Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court.

Show All Answers

1. Legal advice and information disclaimer
2. What are your office hours?
3. Can I request information by phone?
4. Can I request information by email?
5. How far back do your records go?
6. What records are available to the public?
7. Can anyone obtain records from your office?
8. What services does the Register of Wills provide?
9. Are wills public record?
10. What does it mean to register a will?
11. Does a will get registered or filed after it is written?
12. Why is a will registered or probated?
13. What is probate?
14. What do the terms intestate and testate mean?
15. The decedent died without a will. What do I do?
16. What do the words "Open an Estate" mean?
17. Is there a time limit or requirement to open an estate?
18. What is a short certificate?
19. Why do you keep the original will?
20. I cannot find the original will. I only have a copy. What can I do?
21. What are Letters Testamentary and Letters of Administration?
22. Do I need an attorney to apply for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration?
23. Who can be appointed administrator?
24. What do I need when I come to the office to open the estate?
25. Does your office assist in the preparation of the inheritance tax return?