Pennsylvania Wills, Trusts, and Estates

End-of-life planning can be complicated. What is a will versus a trust? Who can contest a will? How does this process work? What taxes need to be paid after someone's death or in conjunction with the bequest of a gift via a will?

This guide highlights the major secondary tools available to Jenkins' members to research these questions. Specifically, this guide focuses on Pennsylvania estate planning, including wills and trusts, as well as estate practice, like Orphans' Court practice. For resources on power of attorney or guardianship, see the Pennsylvania Power of Attorney and Guardianship in Pennsylvania guides.

Please keep in mind that primary sources (statutes, administrative regulations, case law, etc.) should always be consulted. For where to locate primary source materials, see the PA Law guides.

Additional forms and self-help materials related to elder law and other topics may be found in our Self-Help guides.

The following bar associations, courts, and legal aid organizations have information on estate planning and Orphans' Court on their websites. Additional resources may need to be consulted.

Allegheny County Bar Association
Includes Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will packet approved by the Allegheny County Medical Society and the Allegheny County Bar Association.

PALawHelp.org
Includes legal information, referrals to legal service providers, and other information organized by sub-topics. Select topics include Advance Directives, Guardianships, Powers of Attorney and Living Wills and Wills and Estates.

Pennsylvania Bar Association
Includes pamphlets on a variety of topics, including Estate Planning, and Living Wills/Health Care Powers of Attorney. Also see A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens.

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Orphans' Court Division
Includes select forms, manuals, and practice outlines.

The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania
Includes select Orphans' Court forms.