Estate Administration and Probate Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA
Lebovitz & Lebovitz, P.A. represents executors, administrators, trustees, and families administering estates throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We handle estates involving real property, closely held business interests, investment portfolios, and multi-beneficiary distributions.
Our role is to guide fiduciaries through Pennsylvania probate requirements, protect assets, manage deadlines and tax obligations, and coordinate complex transfers efficiently. When disputes arise, we litigate in Orphans’ Court.
For planning designed to reduce probate exposure before death, see our Estate Planning, Wills, and Trusts page.
Estate Planning and Probate — Related Pages
Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning
Drafting wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Planning for families with significant real estate, business interests, or Medicaid considerations.
Estate Administration and Probate
Opening estates, obtaining Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, fiduciary guidance, inheritance tax returns, asset distribution, and resolution of contested matters in Orphans’ Court.
Estate Planning and Probate FAQs
Pennsylvania-specific answers on wills, trusts, probate timelines, inheritance tax rates and deadlines, stepped-up basis, Medicaid planning, irrevocable trusts, and special needs trusts.
Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns are due nine months after death.
Call 412-351-4422 or schedule a consultation to speak with a Pittsburgh estate administration attorney.
Probate and Estate Administration in Western Pennsylvania
Estate administration is the legal process that follows a death. It includes probating a will, appointing a fiduciary, identifying and valuing assets, addressing creditor claims, resolving tax obligations, and distributing property in accordance with Pennsylvania law.
When handled carefully the process is orderly and efficient. When handled incorrectly, fiduciaries face delay, dispute, and personal liability that survives the estate’s closing.
Estates Involving Real Estate and Business Interests
Many Pittsburgh estates include long-held real property, rental portfolios, development parcels, or closely held business interests. These situations require coordination beyond standard probate — including deed preparation, title resolution, valuation analysis, entity review, and structured transfers or sales.
Where business interests are involved, we coordinate with our business succession planning practice to address ownership transitions, buy-sell obligations, and continuity planning. Real estate issues are handled in conjunction with our real estate practice.
What We Handle
- Opening estates and probating wills in Pennsylvania
- Representation of executors, administrators, and trustees
- Intestate estates where no will exists
- Fiduciary guidance and personal liability risk management
- Creditor claims, statutory notice compliance, and deadlines
- Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns and audit support
- Coordination of asset transfers and beneficiary distributions
- Estate administration involving real estate or business interests
- Contested estate matters and Orphans’ Court proceedings
The Role of the Executor or Administrator
An executor or administrator carries fiduciary duties under Pennsylvania law — safeguarding assets, meeting deadlines, maintaining accurate records, addressing tax obligations, and making proper distributions. These are not administrative formalities. Failure to comply can expose a fiduciary to personal liability that survives the estate’s closing.
We guide fiduciaries through each step, ensure compliance with Pennsylvania procedure, and protect them from the avoidable errors that generate disputes and delay.
Probate With and Without a Will
When a valid will exists, probate begins by filing the will and petitioning for Letters Testamentary through the Allegheny County Register of Wills. Even straightforward estates require procedural compliance and careful asset coordination.
When a person dies without a will, Pennsylvania intestacy law controls who may serve as administrator and how property is distributed. Intestate estates frequently present additional complexity, particularly where blended families, real estate, or business interests are involved.
Probate and Estate Administration — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I open an estate in Pittsburgh after a death?
Opening an estate starts with filing the original will and petitioning for appointment through the Register of Wills to obtain Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration. After appointment, the fiduciary gathers and values assets, provides required notices, addresses debts and taxes, and completes distributions under Pennsylvania law.
What is the difference between probate and estate administration?
Probate is the process of admitting a will and appointing a fiduciary. Estate administration is everything that follows — collecting assets, handling creditor claims, paying taxes and expenses, and distributing property to beneficiaries or heirs.
What are the risks for an executor or administrator?
Executors and administrators carry fiduciary duties including safeguarding assets, keeping records, meeting deadlines, paying valid debts and taxes, and making proper distributions. Missteps can lead to delay, disputes, or personal liability. Legal guidance at the outset reduces that risk.
What happens if someone dies without a will in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania intestacy law controls who inherits and who may serve as administrator. Intestate estates often require additional coordination, particularly where family relationships are complex or where real estate and business interests are involved.
How are estates with real estate handled?
Real estate in an estate requires deed preparation, title review, valuation, and coordination with lenders or buyers. In some cases the estate must resolve co-ownership issues or occupancy disputes before distributions can be completed. See our real estate practice for related matters.
How are estates with business interests handled?
Closely held businesses, partnership interests, or shareholder agreements may impose transfer restrictions, valuation methods, or buy-sell obligations. Administration requires entity document review, coordinated valuation, and careful sequencing of transfers. See our business succession planning practice for related matters.
How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?
Timing depends on asset complexity, creditor issues, tax filings, and beneficiary coordination. Straightforward administrations move efficiently. Complex assets, real estate sales, or disputes extend the timeline. Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns are due nine months after death regardless of other timelines.
Do you handle contested estates and Orphans’ Court matters?
Yes. When disputes arise involving fiduciary conduct, will contests, distribution disagreements, or creditor claims, we evaluate the fastest path to resolution and litigate in Orphans’ Court when necessary.
Fiduciary errors in estate administration produce personal liability. The process has deadlines that do not adjust for family circumstances.
Contact our Pittsburgh office to discuss your responsibilities and the steps required to administer the estate correctly.