Probate is the legal process to administer a deceased individual’s estate. Probate bonds are a type of fiduciary bond often required by a court, or due to a stipulation in a will, to guarantee a fiduciary will perform their duties faithfully and honestly. A fiduciary is a person appointed by the court to handle the affairs of a person that is not able to do so themselves. The bond also guarantees the fiduciary will comply with state and local statutes as well as any terms outlined in a will or trust. If the fiduciary fails to perform his/her duties, a claim can be made on the bond.
A fiduciary who is appointed to probate the estate is most often designated an administrator, executor, or personal representative. Our agency is licensed in all 50 states and Washington D.C. and is here to assist you with obtaining a probate bond.
Probate Bonds for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County probate bonds are filed with the county’s Department of Court Records, in the Wills/Orphans’ Court Division.
The county will require a probate bond in the amount of 125% of the value of the estate. The court will also determine if the value of any real estate must be included. To open an estate with the court, the minimum bond requirement is $8,000. Please confirm the bond amount the court will require prior to submitting a bond application, to avoid any delays or rejections with your bond filing.
After a bond is approved and payment is received, arrangements need to be made for an agent from our office to meet the attorney and/or client at the Department of Court Records for execution of the bond as almost always personal appearance by the agent is required by the county. For this reason, a non-refundable $50 appearance fee shall be added to all Allegheny County Probate Bonds.
Example Premium Information for Pennsylvania Probate Bonds1
Bond Penalty Amount | Premium Per Year2 |
---|---|
$0 - $18,000 | $100.00 |
$50,000 | $260.00 |
$250,000 | $985.00 |
$500,000 | $1,610.00 |
Please download and return the completed probate bond application to E. R. Munro and Company for submission. If the answer to any of the questions numbered 1-8 on page one is “Yes,” please also download and submit a completed supplemental probate application.
To expedite your submission, please email the application to [email protected] or fax it to (412) 281-6195.
- Probate and Fiduciary Surety Application and Indemnity Agreement (264 downloads)
- Probate Application Supplement (81 downloads)
Frequently Asked Questions
Footnotes
- For pricing of any bond amount not listed, please contact our office.
- Premiums are subject to change and are pending underwriting approval.
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