Pennsylvania Probate Process: In 7 Simple Steps
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey CLE |
|
7.2 Total | 09-10-2026 |
| New York CLE |
|
7 Total | 12-22-2028 |
| Pennsylvania CLE |
|
6 Total | 12-22-2027 |
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Overview
Learn How to Handle Assets, Taxes, Personal Representatives, and More!
This step-by-step practical instruction offers essential knowledge of probate processes and best practices for handling each unique case effectively. Learn how to tackle crucial first steps; handle the personal executive; gather, value, and distribute all assets; and successfully complete the final accounting and tax returns. Arm yourself with the foundational knowledge and best practices you need to ensure a smooth administration from start to finish. Register today!
- Don't overlook anything important: confidently navigate critical first steps.
- Understand executor powers, duties, responsibilities, and compensation guidelines.
- Learn how to effectively marshal and inventory all assets.
- Pick up tips for validating, prioritizing, and satisfying creditor claims.
- Get practical guidance for post-mortem planning, trust administration, and tax hurdles.
- Put the decedent's affairs to rest by making distributions, filing the final tax return, and completing the final accounting.
- Discover how to litigate deed contests, lost or contested wills, fiduciary misconduct, and more.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Opening the Estate
- Maintaining an Ethical Practice
- Preparing the Personal Representatives for the Job
- Managing the Estate: Valuations, Spousal Share, and More
- Handling Estate Closing, Final Accounting, and Tax Returns
- Post-Mortem Tax Planning, Distributions, and Trust Administration
- Addressing Creditor Claims
- Resolving Disputes and Navigating Probate Litigation
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey CLE |
|
7.2 Total | 09-10-2026 |
| New York CLE |
|
7 Total | 12-22-2028 |
| Pennsylvania CLE |
|
6 Total | 12-22-2027 |
Select Jurisdiction
CLE
Agenda
-
Opening the Estate
- What to Do in the First 48 Hours
- Obtaining the Will and Getting it Admitted
- Locating and Notifying the Beneficiaries
- Determining if the Estate Qualifies for a Small Estate Administration
- The Estate Timeline - What Must be Done When
- Filing the Initial Petition With the Probate Court: Forms and Procedures
- Sending Initial Notices to the Public and to State Agencies
- Closing the Decedent's Accounts
- Obtaining the Estate Tax ID
- Laws of Intestacy
-
Maintaining an Ethical Practice
- Whom do You Represent? Conflicts of Interest
- Protecting Client Confidentiality
- Attorney Fees
- Practicing Law in More Than One State
-
Preparing the Personal Representatives for the Job
- Educating PRs on Their Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
- Compiling Personal Representative Guide/Instructions
- Clarifying Executor Compensation
- Advising PRs on Potential Problems and Liability
-
Managing the Estate: Valuations, Spousal Share, and More
- Marshalling and Valuing Decedent's Assets
- Initial Inventory
- Maintenance and Management
- Determining Elective Share and Homestead Allowance
- Spousal Rights: Electing vs. Disclaiming the Share
- Claiming Homestead Allowance
- Portability Rules; Claiming Unused Lifetime Exclusion
- Estate Expenses: Payment and Record-Keeping
- What to Do With the Income the Estate is Producing
-
Handling Estate Closing, Final Accounting, and Tax Returns
- Tax Returns and Deadlines - Estate and Income, State and Federal, Decedent's and the Estate's
- Informal Closing by Statement of Personal Representative
- Compiling and Balancing the Final Account
- Final Distributions to Beneficiaries and Liability of Distributees
- Closing the Estate and Discharging the Fiduciary
-
Post-Mortem Tax Planning, Distributions, and Trust Administration
- Managing the Tax Consequences of Elections and Receipt of Non-Probate Assets (e.g. IRA Distributions)
- Tax Implications of Transfers
- Creating Trusts and Subtrusts for Multiple Beneficiaries to Receive Their Shares of the Estate
- What to Do With Bequests and Trust Distributions to Minors
- Post-Mortem Tax Planning Approaches: How Much Maneuver Room is Left?
- How to Calculate the Omitted Spouse Share or Omitted Child Share
- Guarding Disabled Adult Beneficiaries' Benefits Eligibility
-
Addressing Creditor Claims
- Issuing Notices to Creditors: What Works Best
- Validating Claims
- Determining the Priority of Creditor Rights
- Selling Property to Satisfy Claims: What to Sell, How to Do it, and How to Properly Record it
- Satisfying Tax Claims and Liens
-
Resolving Disputes and Navigating Probate Litigation
- Will Contests, Deed Contests, Allegations of Undue Influence and Other Causes of Action
- Obtaining Court Guidance for Proposed Actions Regarding the Estate Administration
- Probate Litigation Rules, Procedures, and Evidentiary Provisions
- Fiduciary Misconduct, Liability, Disputes with Beneficiaries
- Effective Approaches to Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court
Who Should Attend
This basic level online seminar is designed for attorneys, accountants, tax professionals, trust officers, executors and other fiduciaries and paralegals.
Speakers
Speaker bio
Dani R. Goldberg
is an associate attorney for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. She practices in tax, estates and trusts, and wealth and succession planning. Ms. Goldberg earned her B.A. degree from the Bucknell University, her J.D. degree from Villanova University School of Law and pursuing her LL.M. degree from Villanova University School of Law. She served as a scholars extern for the United State Securities and Exchange Commission. Ms. Goldberg is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania.
Speaker bio
Joshua D. Headley
is an attorney for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC. He practices in tax, wealth and succession planning, and is the firm leader on nonprofit organizations. Mr. Headley earned his B.A. degree from the College of William & Mary, his J.D. degree from Antonin Scalia Law School from George Mason University, and estate planning certificate from Georgetown University. He is a board member for the Washington D.C. Estate Planning Council and is on the board of Career Partners Inc., PATH Foundation, Culpeper Wellness Foundation, and the Town of Culpeper Parking Authority. He is licensed to practice in U.S. Tax Court, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Eastern and Western U.S. District courts of Virginia.
Speaker bio
Maxwell Dormer
is an attorney at Lynch Law Group, LLC. He joined The Lynch Law Group as an associate attorney in the estates and trusts practice groups in November of 2023 out of the Southpointe office. Prior to joining the team, Mr. Dormer was an estates and trusts attorney at a full-service national firm with offices all over the country. In addition to his experience with several high-profile law firms, he worked for a national accounting firm where he gained hands-on experience navigating tax issues faced by public and privately owned companies. Mr. Dormer focuses his practice on estates and trusts matters such as drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney and handling estate administration. His prior experience with corporate law matters and his background in accounting is invaluable - especially for those who have closely held businesses. Mr. Dormer graduated from Penn State University with an accounting degree, he attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he earned his J.D. degree with a tax law focus.
Speaker bio
Drew Durbin
is a tax and estate planning attorney at Lynch Law Group, LLC. He brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach to helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate complex legal and financial decisions. Mr. Durbin's practice focuses on the intersection of tax, estate, and corporate law, with a particular emphasis on trust and estate planning strategies and related tax implications He is especially skilled at making intricate tax and legal concepts accessible. Whether guiding clients through business succession planning or securing tax clearance during estate administration, Mr. Durbin maintains a clear focus: delivering practical solutions with care and clarity. He understands that his clients are in uncharted territory, and his approach is to proactively anticipate their needs and lead with empathy. Mr. Durbin earned his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he completed a certificate in tax law and served as managing editor of the Pittsburgh Tax Review. He is currently pursuing an LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University, further deepening his expertise in trusts, estates, and tax law.
Speaker bio
Matthew C. Samley
is a partner with the law firm of Appel Yost LLP in Lancaster. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy and creditors' rights, real estate, business transactions, small business formation, business buy-sell, estate planning and administration. Mr. Samley serves as parliamentarian for the Lancaster County Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Council. He is on the adjunct faculty for Harrisburg Area Community College in Lancaster, where he teaches a variety of courses in the Departments of Business Studies and Social Sciences. Mr. Samley frequently presents at professional education programs on landlord-tenant collection law, ethics, LLC formation, contracts, and bankruptcy. He is a member of the Business Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Estate Planning Council of Lancaster County and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference. Mr. Samley serves on the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Bar Association and on an advisory board to the Lancaster County Community Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic. He earned his B.S. degree, cum laude, from Millersville University and J.D. degree from Dickinson School of Law.
Speaker bio
Adam J. Cohen
works with clients across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, focusing on estate and trust administration, elder law, and fiduciary litigation. He has extensive experience handling complex guardianship matters and is a leader in representing disabled individuals, their families, and corporate fiduciaries in establishing and administering special needs trusts. Mr. Cohen also provides advice and guidance to personal injury attorneys and their clients on structuring and preserving recoveries for minors and disabled beneficiaries, helping them secure financial stability while protecting eligibility for public benefits. With a compassionate approach, Mr. Cohen prioritizes listening to and understanding his clients' needs, ensuring that each legal strategy is tailored to their unique circumstances. Mr. Cohen is actively involved in professional leadership. He serves as the Treasurer of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Elder Law Section and is the Editor of the Elder Law Section Newsletter. He has previously taught continuing legal education courses on guardianship issues, and multi-jurisdictional personal injury settlement topics.
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