PA Probate Without a Will

When a Pennsylvania resident dies without a will, the estate goes through intestate administration. The intestate statute decides everything.

Letters of Administration

The Register of Wills issues Letters to the highest priority person under 20 Pa.C.S. § 3155 — spouse first, then adult children, then parents, then siblings.

Distribution

20 Pa.C.S. § 2102–§ 2104 controls. Spouse rarely gets everything — see our PA wills guide for the breakdown.

Bond

An intestate administrator must usually post a surety bond, an avoidable expense if a will had been executed.