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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
A.
General
B.
Offices and Office Hours
C.
Jurisdiction
D.
Legal Counsel
E.
Statute
F.
Rules of Court
G.
Further References
H.
Qualification of Personal Representative and Terminology
CHAPTER 2
LETTERS TESTAMENTARY
A.
Probate Procedure
B.
Special Problems
1.
Probate of Signed Copy or Photocopy of Signed Copy of Will
2.
Holographic Will or Will with Strikeouts, Interlineations or Libelous Statements - "Copy Fair"
3.
Will in Foreign Language
CHAPTER 3
LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
A.
Regular Letters of Administration
B.
Letters of Administration c.t.a., d.b.n., and d.b.n.c.t.a.
C.
Other Letters of Administration
D.
Common Law Spouse
E.
Letters of Administration "For Suit Purposes Only"
F.
Letters of Administration on Petition of Creditor
CHAPTER 4
INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES
A.
When Bond Is Not Required
B.
When Bond Is Required
CHAPTER 5
CERTIFICATIONS
A.
Short Certificates
B.
Certified Copy of Letters and Exemplified Copy of Record
CHAPTER 6
INVENTORY
CHAPTER 7
NOTICE OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
CHAPTER 8
STATUS REPORT
CHAPTER 9
LODGING AND COMPELLING PRODUCTION OF A WILL
CHAPTER 10
CAVEATS
A.
Informal Caveat
B.
Formal Caveat
C.
Caveat Conference and Hearing
CHAPTER 11
HEARINGS BEFORE THE REGISTER
A.
Petition for Citation
B.
Return Date
C.
Practice and Procedure
CHAPTER 12
CERTIFICATION OF RECORD TO THE ORPHANS' COURT
CHAPTER 13
PETITION TO REVOKE LETTERS
CHAPTER 14
APPEALS FROM DECREES OF THE REGISTER OF WILLS
CHAPTER 15
FOREIGN FIDUCIARIES
CHAPTER 16
REGISTER AS AGENT FOR DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
CHAPTER 17
RESEARCHING WILLS, PROBATE RECORDS, AND INHERITANCE TAX RECORDS
A.
Probate Records for Wills and Administrations
B.
Inheritance Tax
C.
Foreign Fiduciary Affidavits TABLE OF CONTENTS OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
Pre-printed forms may be obtained from the Register's Office; certain pre-printed forms may be obtained via the internet:
http://courts.phila.gov/forms.html
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Petition for Grant of Letters
Estate Information Sheet
Oath of Subscribing Witness
Renunciation
Inventory
Status Report
Notice of Beneficial Interest
Certification of Notice
Notice of Appeal
Foreign Fiduciary Affidavit
APPENDIX B
Forms to be drafted by counsel
1.
Petition for Citation to Show Cause Why Photocopy of Will Should Not be Probated
2.
Petition for Citation to Show Cause Why Petitioner Should Not be Appointed Administrator
3.
Petition for Leave to Resign as Executor
4.
Petition for Citation to Show Cause Why Petitioner Should Not Be Compelled to Produce the Will of Decedent
5.
Informal Caveat
6.
Formal Caveat
APPENDIX C - List of Approved Corporate Fiduciaries
APPENDIX D - Fee Schedule of Register of Wills
APPENDIX E - List of Helpful Names and Telephone Numbers
APPENDIX F - Timetable for Estate Settlement
Petition
for Grant of Letters