Once a Pennsylvania probate estate is opened and a personal representative appointed, one of the duties of the personal representative is to prepare and file an inventory of assets with the Register of Wills.
What Is Included On a Pennsylvania Estate Inventory?
The personal representative must include on the inventory all real and personal estate of the decedent, except for real estate outside of Pennsylvania. An ancillary personal representative shall include only assets for which he or she is responsible. See 20 PA Cons. Stat. § 3301(a).
The inventory is required to include a memorandum at the end of the real estate outside of Pennsylvania. The memorandum, at the election of the personal representative, may indicate the value of each item of real estate included therein, but the values are not extended into the total of the inventory or included as real estate in subsequent accountings. See 20 PA Cons. Stat. § 3301(b).
Here is a form for a Pennsylvania estate inventory.
Date of Death Values Used On the Inventory
For purposes of the inventory, the Pennsylvania personal representative is required to determine and state in figures opposite each item of the inventory its fair value as of the date of the decedent’s death. 20 Pa Cons. Stat. § 3302.
What Is the Deadline To File an Estate Inventory Under Pennsylvania Law?
The estate inventory must be filed no later than the date he or she files his account or the due date, including any extension, for the filing of the inheritance tax return for the estate, whichever is earlier. See 20 Pa Cons. Stat. § 3301(c).
Additionally, any party in interest in the estate may request the filing of an inventory at an earlier date by writing delivered to the personal representative or his attorney. If an inventory at an earlier date is requested, then an inventory shall be filed within three months after the appointment of the personal representative or within 30 days after the request, whichever is later. The court may direct the personal representative to file an inventory of estate assets at any time.
See other key Deadlines and Timelines in Pennsylvania Probate.
What Happens If the Personal Representative Discovers Additional Property?
If the Pennsylvania personal representative discovers additional property after the filing of the inventory, it’s no problem. Whenever any property not included in the inventory comes to the knowledge of the personal representative, he or she shall file, within 30 days of the discovery of the additional property, a supplemental inventory thereof with the register. 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3303.
Can You Object To a Pennsylvania Estate Inventory?
Yes. Objections to the inventory can be made by any party in interest to the Pennsylvania estate. Objections can be made at any time up to and including the time fixed by rule of court for making objections to the first account of the personal representative. Such objections in the discretion of the court may be heard at the audit of the account. Objections to the inventory also may be made in the form of objections to the account.
Your Pennsylvania probate lawyer will help you properly include and value assets on the estate inventory.
