Required Filings & Deadlines in Bucks County

Immediately after grant of letters: Publish estate notice once a week for 3 consecutive weeks in the Bucks County Law Reporter AND a local paper of general circulation (20 Pa.C.S. § 3162). The first complete advertisement triggers the one-year creditor claims period.

Within 3 months of grant of letters: File Certification of Notice under Pa.O.C. Rule 10.5, certifying that written notice has been sent to all beneficiaries, heirs, and other required parties. Failure to file timely triggers a mandatory court notification (Rule 10.5(e)).

Within 3 months of death: Consider prepaying estimated inheritance tax to capture the 5% discount, a significant savings on larger estates.

Within 9 months of death (or earlier): File the verified Inventory (Form RW-09) with the Register of Wills (20 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c)).

Within 9 months of death: File the PA Inheritance Tax Return (REV-1500) and pay all tax due.

2 years from date of death: File Status Report under Pa.O.C. Rule 10.6. If the estate remains open, file annually thereafter.

When ready to close: File formal account with the Clerk of Orphans' Court, accompanied by a Petition for Adjudication and Statement of Proposed Distribution.