20 Pa.C.S. § 3102 authorizes summary administration ('small estate petition') when the decedent's personal property is worth $50,000 or less, after exclusions.
What counts
$50,000 cap is on personal property. Real estate, life insurance, and retirement accounts with beneficiaries are excluded from the calculation.
Process
File a petition with the Orphans' Court showing assets, debts, and distribution. The court issues an order — no executor letters.
When useful
Elderly decedents with most assets already moved to TOD or beneficiary-designated form. Simpler estates with one car and one bank account.
This article is general information about Pennsylvania law as of the update date above. It is not legal advice for your situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice on your specific facts, please schedule a consultation.
Talk with a Pennsylvania estate planning attorney.
Most plans take two meetings. The first is a consultation — clear, honest, and free of pressure.