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$31.5 Million Motorcycle Accident
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$10 Million Tractor-Trailer Accident
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$1.65 Million Car Accident
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$625K Premises Liability
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Maximum Compensation Bus Accident
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$1 Million Truck Accident
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$31.5 Million Motorcycle Accident
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$1.35 Million Drunk Driving Accident
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$1.25 Million Premises Liability
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$3.25 Million Cement Truck Accident
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$4.8 Million Bicycle Accident
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$1 Million Falling Object Injury
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$11 Million Police Shooting Victims
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$4.25 Million Tractor-Trailer Collision
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$2.4 Million Pedestrian Accident
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$11 Million Police Shooting Victims
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$1.5 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
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$1 Million Assault Injury
Philadelphia Estate Administration Lawyer
Estate Administration Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Guiding Executors Through Probate Duties Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania
Estate administration in Philadelphia is the process of handling all of the issues surrounding the assets and liabilities of a deceased person in Pennsylvania. When a person dies, whether or not they have a will, their remaining assets will become part of their estate. Then, that estate must be administered by a person. When you have been named as the executor or executrix of a will in Philadelphia, you will be responsible for administering the probate process and handling all issues of estate administration, from potentially liquidating assets to distributing property and paying taxes. Even if a person dies without a will in Philadelphia, estate administration still will need to occur. In these kinds of cases, a personal representative is appointed as an administrator of the estate.
Whether you have questions about estate administration following a loved one’s death or you have questions about estate planning in advance to ensure that estate administration goes as smoothly as possible, an experienced Philadelphia estate administration attorney can assist you. At van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin, we are committed to serving Pennsylvania residents with a wide variety of estate planning matters, and we can begin working with you today.
Find Out What Your Case is Worth
We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Call (215) 610-3440 or contact us online to learn more.
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“This firm is the absolute best! Very knowledgeable, pleasant, and amazing!! I recommend this Law firm to anyone with an issue. can't speak highly enough for this firm and it's attorneys! It was truly a wonderful experience.”- Bennie H.
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“I first want to thank this dream team they definitely was a pleasure to work with and I am glad I chose Van der Veen law firm to get the jobs”- RB
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“This law firm has been nothing but the best for my company! Mr. van der Veen has always worked very hard and communicated well with each situation that he has represented me in. I would highly recommend this firm!”- Sewall M. Jr.
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“Thank you for always picking up the phone. I could not have a better firm representing myself, family and my friends. If you want an attorney that gets the job done, Look no more!!! Contact Attorney van der Veen.”- Leslie L.
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“Outcome was better than expected. Forever thankful to Mike’s reliable firm. If you want great results they are your guys. Strongly recommend.”- Ninel B.
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“Very satisfied with the way they handled my case, answer all my question, provided me with needed information.”- Frank A.
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“I have been a client of this firm for many years now, and all that I can say is these are the Top Lawyers in the City! My experience over the years have been excellent! Thank you van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin. Job very well done.”- Quiana
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“Wonderful customer service. The team at van der Veen, Hartshorn & Levin is the real deal. I would definitely recommend them.”- Former Client
Elements of Philadelphia Estate Administration
The administration of an estate, or estate administration, has many different components. Some of the elements of estate administration that our Philadelphia probate lawyers can assist you with include but are not limited to the following:
- Starting the probate process and opening the estate;
- Provide the court with the death certification of the deceased and the deceased’s will (if one exists);
- Obtain a tax identification number, or employer identification number (EIN), for the estate;
- Open an estate account at the bank in order to collect and pay costs associated with estate administration;
- Collect assets and, if necessary, have them retitled;
- Deal with any will contests or any litigation that arises from the administration of the estate;
- Determine debts owed by the deceased and pay them;
- Provide all required documentation under Pennsylvania law;
- Handle estate tax and inheritance tax matters;
- Distribute the deceased’s assets to the heirs according to the terms of the will, or according to Pennsylvania intestacy laws (depending upon whether or not there is a valid will); and
- Take care of any final issues before closing the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Administration in Pennsylvania
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-610-3440 today!
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The estate administration process begins by opening the estate with the Register of Wills in the county where the decedent lived. This requires filing the death certificate and the original will (if one exists). Once the estate is officially opened, the court will grant Letters Testamentary (for executors) or Letters of Administration (for administrators), giving the personal representative legal authority to act on behalf of the estate.
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Most estates must go through probate, but the complexity depends on the estate’s size and structure. If the decedent held assets jointly, used beneficiary designations, or created certain types of trusts, those assets may pass outside of probate. However, even when probate is minimized, an executor or administrator is still responsible for settling debts, handling taxes, and distributing remaining assets properly.
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In Pennsylvania, estate administration typically takes between 9 and 18 months, but timelines vary. Factors that can significantly extend the process include will contests, disputes among heirs, complex assets that require valuation, and delays in filing inheritance tax returns. An experienced probate attorney can help streamline the process by ensuring all requirements are met promptly and accurately.
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If a will contest is filed, the estate may enter probate litigation. Common grounds include allegations of undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity, fraud, or improper execution of the will. During litigation, distributions may be delayed until the court resolves the dispute. Executors should not attempt to handle these matters alone — legal representation is essential to protect the estate and comply with Pennsylvania law.
in their own words
Clients share their experiences and results firsthand
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"He represented me in multiple criminal cases, and I had a lengthy criminal record. He never judged me, and treated me like anybody else, he never looked at me different. He's a real good guy, professional, very honest. When I say I never went to another attorney...he's the best." -Tiffany
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"I love that I have Mike on my side, whenever I question what am I supposed to do? I used to call my dad and after my dad passed, even for things that aren’t always law related, I know I could still call Mike, and I love that about him. He’s just amazing, and I know that if I send somebody here that they’re going to be represented a hundred percent." -Jamie
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"He gives you the impression there’s a person you can count on, a person that you can rely on in terms of having some representation. He kept me informed, he kept me up to date with everything that was going on throughout the process. What doctor, what appointments, who I have to see…I was always very well informed." -Sam
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"this law firm has afforded low income people of Philadelphia a relationship with an attorney that they can come and meet. To have a the intuition to give a damn about the little people, and then give them that same kind of respect and consideration is unmatched." -Melvin
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