Duties of a Pennsylvania Executor

Being named executor in a Pennsylvania will is not an honor — it is a fiduciary appointment with personal liability for mistakes.

First 30 days

Locate the original will, file for Letters Testamentary at the Register of Wills, secure assets, and notify beneficiaries.

Months 1–9

Inventory all assets, advertise the estate, gather and pay legitimate debts, and prepare the REV-1500 inheritance tax return.

Months 9–18

File final income tax returns, prepare a formal or informal accounting, and distribute the estate.

Compensation

Pennsylvania executors are entitled to reasonable compensation — typically 3–5% of the estate, scaled by complexity.