What to gather for a small estate in Pennsylvania
Pick a procedure and check off what you already have. Download or print the list to take with you.
Payment of a deposit account to family (20 Pa.C.S. 3101(b))
A bank, credit union or savings association pays the person's account to a close family member, without a court case, if the total in that institution is not more than the limit and a paid funeral bill or a funeral director's affidavit is shown.
- Limit
Up to $20,000 Counted at full value, without subtracting debts.
The total in that one institution cannot be more than $20,000 for payments made on or after January 23, 2026 (it was $10,000 before). The limit applies to each institution separately.
- What counts
The total standing to the person's credit in that one institution.
- Waiting period
The bank may pay at any time after the death.
- Who can use it
The spouse, then any child, then the father or mother, then any sister or brother (preference in that order).
- Court or where to file
Given to the bank or credit union.
- Papers to attach
- A receipted (paid) funeral bill, or an affidavit from a licensed funeral director that satisfactory arrangements for payment of the funeral have been made
- Proof of death and of your relationship, as the bank asks
- Steps
- Ask the bank for the total in the person's accounts there.
- Get a paid funeral bill or the funeral director's affidavit.
- Ask the bank to pay under 20 Pa.C.S. 3101(b).
- Fee
No court fee.
- Debts and responsibility
The person who receives the payment must answer to anyone harmed by an improper distribution.
- What the bank or holder must do
The institution 'shall pay' when the conditions are met, and is released as if it had paid a court-appointed personal representative; it does not have to see how the money is used.
Law: 20 Pa.C.S. 3101(b) (amended by Act 50 of 2025)
Source: Official page
Death certificates in Pennsylvania
Requests need an application form signed by the requester and a copy of a valid government photo ID. A certified copy costs $20. Forms and eligibility rules are on the Department of Health Vital Records website; phone (724) 656-3100.
- Where to get it
- Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
- Official page
- Official page
Car or vehicle title after a death in Pennsylvania
When no executor or administrator has been appointed, the title is transferred with form MV-39 (Notification of Assignment/Correction of Vehicle Title upon Death of Owner) and the title. The informant is a joint owner with right of survivorship, the surviving spouse, or if none an adult child, or if none a parent. If there is no will and the spouse is not a co-owner, the spouse and all adult children assign the title, all heirs are listed, signatures are notarized, and the spouse or adult heir swears that all the person's debts have been paid. A death certificate is attached. If a court order under the family exemption or small estate procedure exists, MV-39 is not needed.
Law: PennDOT form MV-39 (1-25)
- Agency
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Bureau of Motor Vehicles
- Fee
A title fee is required except when the transfer is to a surviving spouse; MV-4ST is needed when the title is assigned.
Source: Official page
Surviving spouse in Pennsylvania
The spouse (or, if none, children in the same household, or if none, parents in the same household) may claim a family exemption of $3,500 in real or personal property. The spouse has first preference for the direct payments of wages (up to $10,000), bank deposits (up to $20,000 per institution) and estate life insurance (up to $11,000). A spouse can transfer the person's vehicle with PennDOT form MV-39, with no title fee for a transfer to the spouse.
Related pages
Free help in Pennsylvania
A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.