Probate Process in Cranberry Township

Many people will have to undergo the probate process in Cranberry Township after losing a loved one. If your loved one owned assets solely in their name and did not have a trust or a transfer-on-death designation for those assets, their estate would likely need to go through probate. In this process, the court supervises the distribution of the estate’s assets.

Fortunately, you do not have to navigate probate alone. At Sechler Law Firm, LLC, our experienced probate attorneys help families understand their legal responsibilities and ensure that estates are settled efficiently. Call our law office today for more information.

Not All Assets Go Through Probate

Not all assets have to go through probate. Some can go directly to the beneficiaries, including the following:

• Jointly owned property with a right of survivorship
• Retirement accounts (401(k)s, IRAs) and life insurance policies with named beneficiaries
• Payable-on-death (POD) and transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts
• Assets held in a trust

A dedicated estate planning attorney in Cranberry Township could answer any questions you have about the probate process during an initial consultation.

Understanding the Probate Process

There are several steps you can expect when the probate process is required in Cranberry Township:

Filing a Petition with the Court

The first is filing a petition for probate. This petition asks the court to:

• Appoint an executor (if there is a will) or an administrator (if no will exists)
• Recognize the will as valid (if applicable)
• Notify heirs and creditors that probate has begun

If your loved one had a valid will, they may have named an executor to handle their estate. If not, the court will appoint someone—usually a family member—to take on the role.

Identifying and Valuing Estate Assets

Next, the executor must determine the value of all assets. This may include the following:

• Real estate (his home in Cranberry Township)
• Bank accounts
• Vehicles
• Personal belongings (jewelry, furniture, collectibles)

The court may require appraisals for more significant assets, like a home, to determine their fair market value.

Paying Debts and Taxes

Before any assets are distributed, the estate must pay off outstanding debts and taxes, such as:

• Medical bills and credit card debt
• Final income taxes for the year he passed
• Pennsylvania inheritance tax, which varies based on the relationship of the heirs (children pay 4.5%, while siblings pay 12%)

The executor must notify creditors and ensure all valid debts are paid before moving forward.

Distributing Assets to Beneficiaries

Once debts and taxes are settled, the executor can distribute what is left according to the deceased’s will. If there is no will, Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws will determine who inherits what.

Closing the Estate

Finally, after all distributions are made, the executor files a final accounting with the court. Once the court approves it, the estate is officially closed, and probate is complete.

Get Help with the Probate Process in Cranberry Township

If you are facing probate after losing a loved one, you do not have to do it alone. At Sechler Law Firm, LLC, we help families in Cranberry Township navigate the probate process and ensure that estates are appropriately handled.

Want to learn more about protecting your loved one’s estate? Click here to attend one of our elder law workshops and get the guidance you need.