Allentown Probate Records and Lehigh County Estates
Allentown probate court records are maintained by the Lehigh County Register of Wills at 455 West Hamilton Street, Room 122, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18101-1614. Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County and the third-largest city in Pennsylvania, with a population of approximately 125,000. All estate probate filings for Allentown residents are processed at the Lehigh County Courthouse. The Register of Wills issues letters testamentary, letters of administration, and short certificates for estates originating in Allentown and throughout Lehigh County. Records are open to the public during regular business hours.
Allentown Quick Facts
Lehigh County Register of Wills in Allentown
The Lehigh County Register of Wills is located in Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street in Allentown. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Chief Deputy is Diana L. Dergham. Allentown residents and executors handling estates in Lehigh County file all initial probate documents at this office. The Register of Wills verifies that submitted wills meet Pennsylvania legal requirements before formally admitting them to probate.
The Lehigh County Register of Wills page at lehighcounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Judicial-Records/Register-of-Wills provides current information on office hours, forms, and filing procedures. Allentown estate executors are encouraged to review this page before their first visit. The office staff can answer procedural questions, but they do not provide legal advice. Consulting a Pennsylvania estate attorney before opening a probate matter in Allentown can help ensure the process runs smoothly.
The Allentown city government website at allentownpa.gov/ provides access to municipal services and department contacts. Allentown executors handling real estate or city-held accounts tied to a decedent's estate may need to contact city departments during the probate process. Resolving municipal liens or utility accounts in the decedent's name is often a necessary step before Allentown estate assets can be fully distributed to beneficiaries.
The official Allentown city government website offers access to city services relevant to estate administration in Allentown.
Allentown executors may need to contact city departments to resolve outstanding municipal accounts connected to estate property.
Note: All probate filings for Allentown residents are made at the Lehigh County Courthouse at 455 West Hamilton Street, regardless of which part of Allentown the decedent lived in.
Allentown Probate Filing Fees
The Lehigh County Register of Wills charges fees for probate services based on the size of the estate and the type of document requested. The fee schedule for letters testamentary scales with estate value. For estates valued at $0 to $10,000, the Letters Testamentary fee is $50. Larger estates pay higher fees up to $1,350 for estates valued between $1 million and $2 million. Estates above $2 million have fees calculated at a higher rate. The published Lehigh County fee schedule is available through the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Short certificates in Allentown cost $10 each. Short certificates are used to notify banks, brokerage firms, and government agencies of the executor's authority to act on behalf of the estate. Most Allentown executors need several short certificates during the estate administration process. Additional short certificates can be purchased as needed throughout probate.
Document copy fees at the Lehigh County Register of Wills are $0.25 per page for in-person copies and $0.50 per page for copies requested by mail. Certified copies carry an additional fee. Confirm all current rates by calling the office at 610-782-3170 before submitting a request. Fees may be updated and the Pennsylvania Bulletin is the authoritative source for the current Allentown Register of Wills fee schedule.
Note: Pennsylvania inheritance tax returns are filed through the Register of Wills in Allentown, and a 5% early payment discount applies when the tax is paid within three months of the date of death.
The Probate Process in Allentown
Probate in Allentown begins when an executor or administrator presents the required documents to the Lehigh County Register of Wills. A standard probate filing includes the original will, the original death certificate, a completed petition for probate, and valid photo identification for the executor. The Register reviews the will and, if it meets Pennsylvania's formal requirements, admits it to probate and issues letters testamentary. These letters give the executor legal authority to gather estate assets, notify creditors, and distribute property.
When an Allentown resident dies without a valid will, the estate is intestate. A surviving spouse, adult child, or other interested party may petition the Register of Wills for letters of administration. The administrator has the same authority as an executor but distributes assets under Pennsylvania intestacy law rather than the directions in a will. Allentown's Orphans' Court handles disputes over administration or challenges to the validity of a will submitted for probate in Lehigh County.
After the Lehigh County Register of Wills issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, the executor or administrator must take several additional steps. These include identifying and valuing all estate assets, providing notice to creditors, paying valid debts and taxes, filing the Pennsylvania inheritance tax return, and distributing the remaining assets. The Pennsylvania Orphans' Court rules at pacodeandbulletin.gov provide the procedural framework for all Allentown probate matters.
More information about Pennsylvania wills and the probate process is available at pa-probatehelp.com, a resource for individuals navigating estate questions in Allentown and across the state.
Accessing Allentown Probate Records
Allentown probate court records are public documents maintained by the Lehigh County Register of Wills. Anyone may request copies of wills, estate inventories, and probate filings. In-person requests at Room 122 of the Lehigh County Courthouse are handled during regular office hours. Bring the decedent's full name and approximate date of death to help staff locate the correct estate file. Copy fees apply to all documents.
The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal at ujsportal.pacourts.us provides online access to Lehigh County court case information. Users can search for Allentown probate cases by the decedent's name or case number. The portal shows basic filing information including dates and case status at no charge. For full document copies, contact the Lehigh County Register of Wills directly at 610-782-3170 or visit in person.
Historical Allentown probate records are preserved in the Lehigh County archives. Genealogists researching family histories often find estate inventories, wills, and accounts of administration among the most valuable historical records. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission maintains research resources for older Pennsylvania estate records. The Register of Wills Association of Pennsylvania also offers guidance on how registers operate across all Pennsylvania counties, including Lehigh County.
Note: Orphans' court forms for Allentown and Lehigh County filings are available at no cost through pacourts.us/forms/for-the-public/orphans-court-forms.
Orphans' Court Matters in Allentown
The Lehigh County Orphans' Court handles contested probate matters and other specialized proceedings for Allentown residents. Will contests, petitions to remove an executor, trust accountings, and guardianship matters all fall within Orphans' Court jurisdiction. When a dispute arises over an Allentown estate, the case proceeds before an Orphans' Court judge at the Lehigh County Courthouse.
Guardianship proceedings for incapacitated Allentown adults are also heard in Orphans' Court. A guardian may be appointed when a person can no longer manage their own financial or personal affairs due to illness or disability. The court-appointed guardian is required to file periodic reports with the Lehigh County court, and these reports become part of the official Allentown probate and guardianship record.
Trust proceedings, including accountings and petitions for trustee removal or modification of trust terms, come before the Allentown Orphans' Court as well. Beneficiaries with concerns about trust administration in Allentown can petition the Lehigh County Orphans' Court for a review. The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes governing these proceedings are available at legis.state.pa.us.
Allentown County Probate Records
Allentown is the county seat of Lehigh County, and all probate filings for Allentown residents go through the Lehigh County Register of Wills. For a full overview of county probate offices, fee schedules, and estate resources, visit the Lehigh County probate records page.
Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Residents of nearby Pennsylvania cities file probate records at their own county Register of Wills office.