Posted: | June 19, 2019 10:52 AM |
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From: | Representative Russ Diamond |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Reducing Notification Costs for Estate Representatives |
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to make it easier and less expensive for personal representatives to advertise the opening of decedents’ estates to creditors. Under current law, a personal representative must advertise the creation of a decedents’ estate in a newspaper of general circulation for three consecutive weeks, in addition to the legal journal for the county where letters of administration or letters testamentary were granted. These advertisements often cost several hundred dollars. My legislation would eliminate the requirement to advertise in a newspaper of general circulation in favor of the official website for the Register of Wills of the county granting letters. This legislation would allow the Register to charge a small fee, approved by the President Judge of the county, for such advertising which would be substantially less than the fees charged by newspapers. In counties where the Register of Wills elects not to provide the advertising service, the newspaper requirement will remain. While reducing fees to estate administrators and beneficiaries in the Commonwealth, this legislation will also better protect creditors by allowing for continuous publication on the Register of Wills website, so that creditors may more easily find and file any claims. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation which will save Pennsylvania’s families and survivors substantial sums during their hour of need. |
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View Attachment |
Introduced as HB1676