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Estates

Estates

The Orphans' Court has jurisdiction over estates, which often involve giving control over another person's property.  The Orphans' Court may receive filings in a decedents' estate, an incapacitated persons estate or a minor's estate.  A decedent's estate may have distribution or inheritance issues to settle.  Many of those cases are brought before the Judge for Audit by filing an accounting with the court to ensure all financial duties were properly met.  A guardianship case puts a third party in charge of a living person and/or their property.  Any time a minor is due money, whether through inheritance or settlement, their estate can be processed through the Orphans' Court. 

For additional forms see www.pacourts.us

An audit confirmation date is assigned based on when the accounting was filed. Filings are presented to the Judge who will review the matter and issue the Adjudication of the Estate or set a hearing if needed to resolve any issues.
A petition for guardianship of a minor is filed in Orphans' Court. A hearing date is assigned. If the petition is granted a final decree is signed and a guardian is appointed by the Judge. In cases where the minor is awarded money, the minor must have a guardian appointed by the Court to ensure proper handling of the minor's estate.
A petition for guardianship of an alleged incapacitated adult is filed in the Orphans' Court. A hearing date is assigned and a citation is issued. If petition is granted a final decree is signed appointing a guardian by a Judge and is entered into court record. The guardian will be responsible for filing of an Inventory and Annual Reports within the Guardianship Tracking System.

Claims Against An Estate

Notice of Claims against an Estate are filed in the Clerk of Orphans' Court. There is a $40.00 filing fee for each Claim that is filed unless the case is established in the Orphans' Court division.  If the estate has an Orphans' Court case number (ex OC-1-2010) the filing fee is $30.00.  Once a claim has been filed, the clerk will notify the Register and Recorder's office that a claim has been filed. 

A Release of Claim may be filed with or without an accounting for $45.00.  If the estate has an Orphans' Court case number (ex OC-1-2010) the filing fee is $35.00. 

The filing fee for a Disclaimer is $50.00 unless the estate has an Orphans' Court case number

(ex. OC-1-2010) the filing fee is $40.00.     

View Clerk of Orphans' Court Online Services for our online index to determine if a case has been filed in the Orphans' Court division.  Create/login to your account to efile claims.  If no record exists, you can create the record online. Once we accept the record, you will be able to efile the claim.

Notice

The Adams County Law Library has resources available if you have questions on these procedures.

Forms

Petition for Adjudication of: