Your Duties

The personal representative carries out the wishes of the decedent expressed in the will, insofar as is possible. If there is no will, the Probate Estates and Fiduciary Code gives guidance on what must be done. The personal representative collects the assets of the estate, notifies the beneficiaries under the will or the intestate heirs if there is no will, pays all of the decedent's just debts and expenses, prepares and files inheritance tax returns and pays the inheritance tax, and distributes the assets to the beneficiaries of heirs. 

Administration of the estate may require the short-term management of a business.

When the administration is concluded, a final accounting of all assets may be presented for approval to the Orphans Court. In many cases, this procedure is dispensed with if all of the beneficiaries are in agreement as to the administration of the estate and are willing to sign a "family settlement agreement."  Administration of small, uncomplicated estates can generally be concluded in about one year.