Estate Administration in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Find the right Estate Administration attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Estate administration is the procedure during which the estate of a person who has recently died is maintained and divided among his or her heirs or beneficiaries. This normally happens according to the instructions in a will, but in case there is no will, there are laws regulating that situation, as well.

If the person who died made and executed a valid will in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the process of estate administration normally follows the procedures and instructions laid out in the will.

Normally, wills assign an executor who is responsible for overseeing the administration of the estate, and seeing that its provisions are carried out, to the extent possible.

The executor is normally whoever stands to acquire the most money or property if the will is given effect, since that is the person who likely has the most incentive to do their part in seeing that the probate process plays out to completion.

What if The Will Does Not Name an Executor?

If a will in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania does not name a person to serve as executor, or the decedent dies without having written a will, the court will assign a person to act as estate administrator.

This is usually the person who will benefit the most if the will is executed. If there is no will (a situation recognized as "intestacy"), Pennsylvania has a system of laws distributing the decedent's property to his or her closest living relative. In such a case, the closest living relative has the most to gain from an orderly administration of the estate, so they will usually be appointed.

In cases where the will doesn't name an executor, or the person named is unable to take on that role for whatever reason, any person who has some direct share in the decedent's estate (either because they're named in the will or stand to inherit by intestacy) can petition a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania court to be assigned executor.

Once an executor is assigned (whether by being named in the will, or on the application of another person), they "step into the shoes" of the estate, and are expected to safeguard its interests to the fullest extent possible. They further are obligated to accurately inventory the estate's debts and assets, as well as notify possible beneficiaries.

Can a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Estate Administration Attorney Help?

Some people are surprised when they find out they've been named the executor of a relative's estate. The responsibilities can seem daunting, but with the help of a seasoned Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania attorney, the process almost always goes pretty smoothly.

Talk to a Wills, Trusts & Estates Law Attorney now!

Life in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is known as "The Steel City" for the extensive steel trade that fed the city's economy through the 1970s. Some folks know Pittsburgh as "The City of Bridges" because it's positioned at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Monogahela River. The Allegeheny and Monogahela Rivers combine to create the Ohio River. The three waterways create the triangular shape of downtown Pittsburgh. There are more than 450 bridges within Pittsburgh city limits. Today, Pittsburgh is home to a number of high tech companies that specialize in everything from robotics and biotechnology to internet startups. Pittsburgh is home to a number of corporate headquarters who are responsible for many downtown skyscrapers. Tied for the 8th most Fortune 500 companies, Pittsburgh is home to PNC Financial, U.S. Steel, H.J. Heinz Company, WESCO Internations, Mylan Labs, CONSOL Energy, PPG Industries who supply paint and optical coatings, as well as Dick's Sorting Goods who operate over 408 national retail locations. Pittsburgh is a major manufacturing city but that doesn't mean they don't have world class entertainment and culture available. The Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the ArtGardens are just a few options that locals have. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra calls Heinz Hall home. Heinz Hall also hosts a number of other concerts like Bruce Springsteen and other natural disaster aid concerts. The rap song "Black and Yellow" by Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa is one example of great local musicians. George Benson, Perry Como and Christina Aguilera all hail from Pittsburgh or Pitts suburbs. No wonder Pittsburgh is ranked consistently as "one of the most livable places in the United States."

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