- 1). Go to the Philadelphia Register of Wills office located at City Hall in Room 180 on the first floor. Office hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- 2). Bring the original will to the Philadelphia Register of Wills office to be examined and keep a copy for your own records. The original will be on file permanently at the Register of Wills office once it is accepted. The deceased's signature must be verified, along with witnesses to the signing of the will.
- 3). Provide a death certificate. Present the death certificate to the Philadelphia Register of Wills. The funeral home handling the arrangements should manage the process of obtaining the death certificate for you.
- 4). Estimate value of estate. Determine an estimated value of the decedent's estate, including real estate, personal property, cash, and other assets. Give this amount to the Register of Wills office. Take time before you arrive to determine this approximate value as the staff will not be able to assist in this process. Estimate information forms are available on the Register of Wills website.
- 5). Pay probate fees. The estimated value of the estate is used to determine the probate filing fees. The lowest base fee is $10. Family court fees, filing fees, and taxes are also added, bring the lowest possible probate cost to $137.50. A $1 million estate would garner a fee of $1,278.50. A fee schedule is available on the Register of Wills website. Once fees are paid, the probate process will be underway. The Register of Wills will authorize a person to act as personal representative for the estate, provide you with necessary forms, and alert you to the probate court date.
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