Pennsylvania Probate Cost Calculator & Fees

Q: Is the Johnson Estate schedule the law?

No. Pennsylvania's statute (20 Pa.C.S. 3537) only says the fee must be reasonable and just. The Johnson Estate (1983) schedule is a court guideline that judges commonly use as a benchmark, but they can approve more (for extraordinary work) or less. Treat it as a starting point, not a fixed rule.

Q: How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?

Most Pennsylvania estates take 9 to 18 months, driven by the 1-year creditor period and the inheritance-tax return (due 9 months after death).

How probate costs work in Pennsylvania

Probate in Pennsylvania runs through the Register of Wills in the county where the person lived — Philadelphia, Allegheny (Pittsburgh), Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster and the state's 67 counties. Pennsylvania is unusual on two counts: it sets no statutory fee schedule (using the Johnson Estate court guideline instead), and it is one of the few states with an inheritance tax — charged to heirs based on their relationship to the deceased.

1. Executor fee — the Johnson Estate guideline

20 Pa.C.S. § 3537: the executor fee must be "reasonable and just." There's no statutory schedule, but Orphans' Court judges commonly apply the Johnson Estate (1983) guideline: 5% of the first $100,000, 4% of the next $100,000, 3% of the next $800,000, and 2% above $1 million. On a $500,000 estate that's about $18,000.

It's a guideline, not a rule — judges can adjust up or down. The executor can waive the fee, and family members who are also beneficiaries often do (it's taxable income).

2. Attorney fees — also reasonable

Attorney compensation is likewise "reasonable and just" with no statutory schedule; many attorneys use the same Johnson guideline or a flat/hourly fee. Typical attorney fees run 2% to 5% of the estate. It's a separate cost from the executor fee.

3. The Pennsylvania inheritance tax — the big one

Pennsylvania inheritance tax (rates by relationship): 0% to a surviving spouse (and a parent inheriting from a child under 21), 4.5% to lineal descendants/ancestors (children, grandchildren, parents), 12% to siblings, and 15% to everyone else. Charities are exempt. There's no exemption threshold — every taxable transfer is taxed. A 5% discount applies if paid within 3 months; the return is due within 9 months.

This is usually the largest single cost of a Pennsylvania estate, and it depends entirely on who inherits. Pennsylvania has no estate tax — only this inheritance tax.

4. Register of Wills & other costs

Probate/filing fee — set by each county's Register of Wills, scaling with estate value; roughly $100–$500+ plus per-page and certification fees.
Bond — required unless waived by the will (20 Pa.C.S. § 3171); premium ~0.5%/yr.
Advertising the grant of Letters — a required newspaper notice, ~$100–$300.

5. When probate can be simplified in Pennsylvania

Settlement of small estates — for personal property of $50,000 or less (excluding real estate, wages, funeral costs), under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3102.
Living trust, joint tenancy, POD/TOD — avoid probate, but note the inheritance tax still applies to most non-spouse transfers.

Cost component	Pennsylvania figure	Source
Executor fee	Reasonable; Johnson ~5% declining	§ 3537
Attorney fee	Reasonable; ~2–5% (no statute)	§ 3537 / case law
Inheritance tax	0% / 4.5% / 12% / 15% by relationship	PA Dept. of Revenue
Register of Wills fee	By county; scales with estate	County Register
Small estate limit	$50,000 (personal property)	§ 3102
State estate tax	None	PA Dept. of Revenue

Pennsylvania probate cost — frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in Philadelphia / Pittsburgh?

The executor and attorney fee guidelines and the inheritance tax are statewide; only the Register of Wills fee differs by county. In Philadelphia, Allegheny (Pittsburgh), Montgomery or Bucks, a $500,000 estate left to children has about an $18,000 executor fee (Johnson), a similar attorney fee, a county filing fee, and a 4.5% inheritance tax ($22,500) — the tax being the largest piece.

How does the Pennsylvania inheritance tax work?

It's charged to the heir based on relationship, with no exemption: 0% spouse, 4.5% children/grandchildren/parents, 12% siblings, 15% everyone else. So the same $500,000 costs $0 to a spouse, $22,500 to a child, $60,000 to a sibling, or $75,000 to a friend. Pay within 3 months for a 5% discount; file within 9 months.

Is the Johnson Estate schedule the law?

No. Pennsylvania's statute (20 Pa.C.S. § 3537) only says the fee must be "reasonable and just." The Johnson Estate (1983) schedule is a court guideline that judges commonly use as a benchmark, but they can approve more (for extraordinary work) or less. Treat it as a starting point, not a fixed rule.

What is the small estate limit in Pennsylvania?

$50,000 or less in personal property (excluding real estate, certain wages and funeral costs) can use the simplified small-estate settlement under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3102, avoiding full administration.

How long does probate take in Pennsylvania?

Most Pennsylvania estates take 9–18 months, driven by the 1-year creditor period and the inheritance-tax return (due 9 months after death).

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Pennsylvania sets no statutory fee percentage; the executor and attorney fees are "reasonable and just" under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3537, with the Johnson Estate (1983) schedule used as a court guideline. The inheritance tax rates (0% / 4.5% / 12% / 15% by relationship, no exemption) are set by the PA Department of Revenue; a 5% discount applies if paid within 3 months. Register of Wills fees vary by county. Confirm current figures with the Register of Wills, the PA Department of Revenue, or a licensed Pennsylvania attorney before acting.