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Registers of Wills in Pennsylvania

(Last updated 1/24/2020)

The Register of Wills of each county in Pennsylvania is responsible for the probate of wills and the grant of letters testamentary or letters of administration to the personal representatives (executor or administrator) entitled to administer the estates of decedents who died domiciled in those counties.

The following is a table of the addresses and telephone numbers, together with links to web sites (if any) and on-line fee schedules (if any) and local forms, of the Registers of Wills of the different counties in Pennsylvania. Some of the web sites show only contact information (names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.). A few allow on-line searches of probate records.

For additional information about Registers of Wills in Pennsylvania, see Registers of Wills and Clerks of Orphans’ Court Association of Pennsylvania. For additional information about practice before Registers, see Philadelphia Estate Practitioner’s Handbook.

County	County Code	Address	Telephone	Fees/Forms/Online Services	Attorney General Regional Office
ADAMS	1	117 Baltimore St., Room 102 Gettysburg, PA 17325	(717) 337-9826	Fee Schedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)
ALLEGHENY	2	City-County Building 414 Grant St., 1st Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219	(412) 350-4180	Fee Schedule Forms	Western (Pittsburgh)
ARMSTRONG	3	Courthouse 500 Market Street Kittanning, PA 16201	(724) 548-3220	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
BEAVER	4	Courthouse 810 Third St., 1st Floor Beaver, PA 15009	(724) 770-4550	Fee Schedule Forms	Western (Pittsburgh)
BEDFORD	5	Courthouse 200 S. Juliana St. Bedford, PA 15522	(814) 623-4836	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
BERKS	6	Berks Co. Services Center 633 Court St., 2nd Floor Reading, PA 19601	(610) 478-6600	Fee Schedule Forms	Eastern (Philadelphia)
BLAIR	7	Courthouse 423 Allegheny Street Hollidaysburg, PA 16648	(814) 693-3092	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
BRADFORD	8	Courthouse 310 Main St. Towanda, PA 18848	(570) 265-1702	Fee Shedule	Central (Harrisburg)
BUCKS	9	Courthouse 55 East Court Street, 3rd Floor Doylestown, PA 18901	(215) 348-6265	Fee Schedule Forms e-Docket	Eastern (Philadelphia)
BUTLER	10	County Government Center 124 West Diamond St., Level L P.O. Box 1208 Butler, PA 16003-1208	(724) 284-1409	Fee Schedule Forms	Western (Pittsburgh)
CAMBRIA	11	Courthouse 200 South Center Street Ebensburg, PA 15931	(814) 472-1440		Western (Pittsburgh)
CAMERON	12	Courthouse 20 East 5th Street Emporium, PA 15834	(814) 486-3355		Western (Pittsburgh)
CARBON	13	Courthouse 1 Hazard Square P.O. Box 286 Jim Thorpe, PA 18229	(717) 325-2261	Fee Schedule	Eastern (Philadelphia)
CENTRE	14	Willowbank County Office Bldg. 414 Holmes Avenue, Suite 2 Bellefonte, PA 16823	(814) 355-6724	FeeSchedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)
CHESTER	15	Courthouse 201 W. Market St., Suite 2200 P.O. Box 2746 West Chester, PA 19380-0989	(610) 344-6335	Fee Schedule Forms	Eastern (Philadelphia)
CLARION	16	Courthouse 421 Main St., Suite 24 Clarion, PA 16214	(814) 226-4000 Ext. 2500	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
CLEARFIELD	17	Courthouse 1 North Second Street, Suite 103 P.O. Box 361 Clearfield, PA 16830	(814) 765-2641 Ext. 1350	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
CLINTON	18	Courthouse 230 East Water Street Lock Haven, PA 17745	(570) 893-4010		Central (Harrisburg)
COLUMBIA	19	Courthouse 35 West Main Street Bloomsburg, PA 17815	(570) 389-5632	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
CRAWFORD	20	Courthouse 903 Diamond Pk. Meadville, PA 16335	(814) 373-2537	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
CUMBERLAND	21	Courthouse 1 Courthouse Sq., Room 102 Carlisle, PA 17013-3387	(717) 240-6345	Fee Schedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)
DAUPHIN	22	Courthouse, Room 103 101 Market. St. Harrisburg, PA 17101	(717) 780-6500	Fee Schedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)
DELAWARE	23	Gov. Center Bldg. 201 W. Front St. Media, PA 19063	(610) 891-4400	e-Filing	Eastern (Philadelphia)
ELK	24	Courthouse 240 Main Street P.O. Box 314 Ridgway, PA 15853	(814) 776-5349	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
ERIE	25	Courthouse 140 W. 6th St., Room 122 Erie, PA 16501	(814) 451-6260	FeeSchedule Forms	Western (Pittsburgh)
FAYETTE	26	Courthouse 61 E. Main St. Uniontown, PA 15401	(724) 430-1206		Western (Pittsburgh)
FOREST	27	Courthouse 526 Elm Street, #2 Tionesta, PA 16353	(814) 755-3526		Western (Pittsburgh)
FRANKLIN	28	Courthouse 157 Lincoln Way E., 1st Floor Chambersburg, PA 17201	(717) 261-3872	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
FULTON	29	Courthouse 201 North 2nd St. McConnellsburg, PA 17233	(717) 485-4212		Central (Harrisburg)
GREENE	30	Courthouse 10 East High St., Room 100 Waynesburg, PA 15370	(724) 852-5284	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
HUNTINGDON	31	Courthouse 223 Penn Street Huntingdon, PA 16652	(814) 643-2740		Central (Harrisburg)
INDIANA	32	Courthouse 825 Philadelphia Street Indiana, PA 15701	(724) 465-3860	Fee Schedule e-Docket	Western (Pittsburgh)
JEFFERSON	33	Courthouse 200 Main Street Brookville, PA 15825	(814) 849-1610		Western (Pittsburgh)
JUNIATA	34	Courthouse 1 North Main St. P.O. Box 68 Mifflintown, PA 17059	(717) 436-7709	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
LACKAWANNA	35	Courthouse 200 N. Washington Ave. Scranton, PA 18503	(570) 963-6702	Fee Schedule Forms e-Docket	Central (Harrisburg)
LANCASTER	36	Courthouse 50 N. Duke Street P.O. Box 83480 Lancaster, PA 17608-3480	(717) 299-8243	Forms e-Docket	Central (Harrisburg)
LAWRENCE	37	Government Center, 2nd Floor 430 Court St. New Castle, PA 16101	(724) 656-2159	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
LEBANON	38	Municipal Building, Room 105 400 South 8th Street Lebanon, PA 17042=6794	(717) 274-2801 Ext. 2217	Fee Schedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)
LEHIGH	39	Courthouse 455 West Hamilton St., Room 124 Allentown, PA 18101-1614	(610) 782-3170	Fee Schedule Forms	Eastern (Philadelphia)
LUZERNE	40	Courthouse, Penn Place Annex 20 N. River St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711	(570) 825-1668		Central (Harrisburg)
LYCOMING	41	Courthouse 48 W. Third Street Williamsport, PA 17701	(570) 327-2263		Central (Harrisburg)
MCKEAN	42	Courthouse 400 W. Main Street Smethport, PA 16749	(814) 887-3260		Western (Pittsburgh)
MERCER	43	112 Courthouse Mercer, PA 16137	(724) 662-3800 Ext. 2248		Western (Pittsburgh)
MIFFLIN	44	Courthouse 20 North Wayne St. Lewistown, PA 17044	(717) 242-1449	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
MONROE	45	Courthouse 7th & Monroe Streets Stroudsburg, PA 18360	(570) 517-3359	Fee Schedule Forms	Eastern (Philadelphia)
MONTGOMERY	46	One Montgomery Plaza, 4th Floor P.O. Box 311 Norristown, PA 19404-0311	(610) 278-3400	Fee Schedule Forms e-Docket e-File	Eastern (Philadelphia)
MONTOUR	47	Courthouse 29 Mill St. Danville, PA 17821	(570) 271-3012	Fee Schedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)
NORTHAMPTON	48	Courthouse 669 Washington St. Easton, PA 18042	(610) 559-3094	Fee Schedule Forms	Eastern (Philadelphia)
NORTHUMBERLAND	49	Courthouse 201 Market Street Sunbury, PA 17801	(570) 988-4143		Central (Harrisburg)
PERRY	50	Courthouse 25 West Main Street P.O. Box 37 New Bloomfield, PA 17068	(717) 582-2131, Ext. 2237	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
PHILADELPHIA	51	City Hall, Room 180 Philadelphia, PA 19107	(215) 686-6250	Fee Schedule Forms e-Docket e-File	Eastern (Philadelphia)
PIKE	52	Courthouse 506 Broad St. Milford, PA 18337	(717) 296-3508	Fee Schedule	Eastern (Philadelphia)
POTTER	53	1 North Main Street Coudersport, PA 16915	(814) 274-8370	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
SCHUYLKILL	54	Courthouse 401 N. 2nd St., 1st Floor Pottsville, PA 17901	(717) 628-1382	Fee Schedule e-Docket	Central (Harrisburg)
SNYDER	55	Courthouse 9 West Market Street P.O. Box 217 Middleburg, PA 17842	(570) 837-4224	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
SOMERSET	56	111 E. Union St., Suite 145 Somerset, PA 15501	(814) 445-1548	Fee Schedule	Western (Pittsburgh)
SULLIVAN	57	Sullivan County Courthouse 245 Muncy Street Laporte, PA 18626	(570) 946-7351		Central (Harrisburg)
SUSQUEHANNA	58	Courthouse 11 Maple Street P.O. Box 218 Montrose, PA 18801	(570) 278-4600	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
TIOGA	59	Courthouse 116 Main Street Wellsboro, PA 16901	(570) 724-9260	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
UNION	60	Courthouse 103 South Second Street Lewisburg, PA 17837	(570) 524-8761		Central (Harrisburg)
VENANGO	61	Courthouse 1168 Liberty St., 1st Floor Franklin, PA 16323	(814) 432-9539		Western (Pittsburgh)
WARREN	62	Courthouse 204 4th Avenue Warren, PA 16365	(814) 728-3430		Western (Pittsburgh)
WASHINGTON	63	1 S. Main St., Suite 1002 Washington, PA 15301	(724) 228-6775	Fee Schedule e-Docket	Western (Pittsburgh)
WAYNE	64	Courthouse Annex Court Street Honesdale, PA 18431-1996	(570) 253-5970 Ext. 4040		Eastern (Philadelphia)
WESTMORELAND	65	Courthouse Annex 2 N. Main Street, Suite 301 Greensburg, PA 15601	(724) 830-3177	Fee Schedule e-Docket	Western (Pittsburgh)
WYOMING	66	Courthouse 1 Courthouse Square Tunkhannock, PA 18657	(570) 996-2237	Fee Schedule	Central (Harrisburg)
YORK	67	York Co. Judicial Center 45 N. George St., 2nd Floor York, PA 17401	(717) 771-9607	Fee Schedule Forms	Central (Harrisburg)

Interest on Underpayments and Overpayments of Federal Taxes

(Current through December 2024)

Interest on underpayments of federal tax must accrue interest, compounded daily, at rates published quarterly by the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code. (See Rev. Proc. 95-17, 1995-1 C.B. 556, for rules on how to calculate compounded interest.)

The rates for the most recent twelve calendar quarters are as follows:

— Rates for Underpayments and Overpayments of Tax —

Calendar Quarter	Underpayments	Noncorporate Overpayments	Corporate Overpayments	Large Corp. Overpayments	Large Corp. Underpayments
Jan-Mar 2022	3%	3%	2%	0.5%	5%
Apr-Jun 2022	4%	4%	3%	1.5%	6%
Jul-Sep 2022	5%	5%	4%	2.5%	7%
Oct-Dec 2022	6%	6%	5%	3.5%	8%
Jan-Mar 2023	7%	7%	6%	4.5%	9%
Apr-Jun 2023	7%	7%	6%	4.5%	9%
Jul-Sep 2023	7%	7%	6%	4.5%	9%
Oct-Dec 2023	8%	7%	7%	5.5%	10%
Jan-Mar 2024	8%	7%	7%	5.5%	10%
Apr-Jun 2024	8%	7%	7%	5.5%	10%
Jul-Sep 2024	8%	7%	7%	5.5%	10%
Oct-Dec 2024	8%	7%	7%	5.5%	10%

As can be seen from the above table, the interest rate that applies to overpayments of tax by individuals (and other noncorporate taxpayers) is the same rate that applies to underpayments of tax.

For corporations, the interest rate on overpayments of $10,000 or less is 1 point less than the rate for underpayments, and the interest rate on the portion of the overpayment in excess of $10,000 (i.e., “large” overpayments) is 2.5 points less than the rate on underpayments. Corporations also pay interest that is 2 points higher for “large corporate underpayments” (i.e., underpayments of more than $100,000).

The underpayment interest rates that have applied since 1987 are shown below.

— Rates for Underpayments —

Year	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter
1987	9%	9%	9%	10%
1988	11%	10%	10%	11%
1989	11%	12%	12%	11%
1990	11%	11%	11%	11%
1991	11%	10%	10%	10%
1992	9%	8%	8%	7%
1993	7%	7%	7%	7%
1994	7%	7%	8%	9%
1995	9%	10%	9%	9%
1996	9%	8%	9%	9%
1997	9%	9%	9%	9%
1998	9%	8%	8%	8%
1999	7%	8%	8%	8%
2000	8%	9%	9%	9%
2001	9%	8%	7%	7%
2002	6%	6%	6%	6%
2003	5%	5%	5%	4%
2004	4%	5%	4%	5%
2005	5%	6%	6%	7%
2006	7%	7%	8%	8%
2007	8%	8%	8%	8%
2008	7%	6%	5%	6%
2009	5%	4%	4%	4%
2010	4%	4%	4%	4%
2011	3%	4%	4%	3%
2012	3%	3%	3%	3%
2013	3%	3%	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%	3%	3%
2015	3%	3%	3%	3%
2016	3%	4%	4%	4%
2017	4%	4%	4%	4%
2018	4%	5%	5%	5%
2019	6%	6%	5%	5%
2020	5%	5%	3%	3%
2021	3%	3%	3%	3%
2022	3%	4%	5%	6%
2023	7%	7%	7%	8%
2024	8%	8%	8%	8%

Section 7520 Rates

(Current through October 2024)

The § 7520 rate is used to discount the value of annuities, life estates, and remainders to present value, and is revised monthly. It is equal to 120% of the applicable federal mid-term rate under I.R.C. § 1274(d), but rounded to the nearest two-tenths of a percent.

Normally, the § 7520 rate for the month in which the gift or death occurs is used to calculated the gift or estate tax value of the annuity, life estate, or remainder. However, the income, gift, or estate tax value of a charitable life estate or remainder can be determined using the rate for the month in which the gift or death occurs or a rate for either of the two preceding months.

The § 7520 rate for a calendar month is usually announced by the Internal Revenue Service in the form of a Revenue Ruling that is released around the 18th of the preceding month. The following is a chart of the rates that have been announced by the IRS:

	Jan.	Feb.	Mar.	Apr.	May	Jun.	Jul.	Aug.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.
1989	NA	NA	11.2%*	11.6%*	11.6%	11.2%	10.6%	10.0%	9.6%	10.2%	10.0%	9.8%
1990	9.6%	9.8%	10.2%	10.6%	10.6%	11.0%	10.6%	10.4%	10.2%	10.6%	10.6%	10.2%
1991	9.8%	9.6%	9.4%	9.6%	9.6%	9.6%	9.6%	9.8%	9.6%	9.0%	8.6%	8.4%
1992	8.2%	7.6%	8.0%	8.4%	8.6%	8.4%	8.2%	7.8%	7.2%	7.0%	6.8%	7.4%
1993	7.6%	7.6%	7.0%	6.6%	6.6%	6.4%	6.6%	6.4%	6.4%	6.0%	6.0%	6.2%
1994	6.4%	6.4%	6.4%	7.0%	7.8%	8.4%	8.2%	8.4%	8.4%	8.6%	9.0%	9.4%
1995	9.6%	9.6%	9.4%	8.8%	8.6%	8.2%	7.6%	7.2%	7.6%	7.6%	7.4%	7.2%
1996	6.8%	6.8%	6.6%	7.0%	7.6%	8.0%	8.2%	8.2%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	7.6%
1997	7.4%	7.6%	7.8%	7.8%	8.2%	8.2%	8.0%	7.6%	7.6%	7.6%	7.4%	7.2%
1998	7.2%	6.8%	6.8%	6.8%	6.8%	7.0%	6.8%	6.8%	6.6%	6.2%	5.4%	5.4%
1999	5.6%	5.6%	5.8%	6.4%	6.2%	6.4%	7.0%	7.2%	7.2%	7.2%	7.4%	7.4%
2000	7.4%	8.0%	8.2%	8.0%	7.8%	8.0%	8.0%	7.6%	7.6%	7.4%	7.2%	7.0%
2001	6.8%	6.2%	6.2%	6.0%	5.8%	6.0%	6.2%	6.0%	5.8%	5.6%	5.0%	4.8%
2002	5.4%	5.6%	5.4%	5.6%	6.0%	5.8%	5.6%	5.2%	4.6%	4.2%	3.6%	4.0%
2003	4.2%	4.0%	3.8%	3.6%	3.8%	3.6%	3.0%	3.2%	4.2%	4.4%	4.0%	4.2%
2004	4.2%	4.2%	4.0%	3.8%	3.8%	4.6%	5.0%	4.8%	4.6%	4.4%	4.2%	4.2%
2005	4.6%	4.6%	4.6%	5.0%	5.2%	4.8%	4.6%	4.8%	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%	5.4%
2006	5.4%	5.2%	5.4%	5.6%	5.8%	6.0%	6.0%	6.2%	6.0%	5.8%	5.6%	5.8%
2007	5.6%	5.6%	5.8%	5.6%	5.6%	5.6%	6.0%	6.2%	5.8%	5.2%	5.2%	5.0%
2008	4.4%	4.2%	3.6%	3.4%	3.2%	3.8%	4.2%	4.2%	4.2%	3.8%	3.6%	3.4%
2009	2.4%	2.0%	2.4%	2.6%	2.4%	2.8%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.2%	3.2%	3.2%
2010	3.0%	3.4%	3.2%	3.2%	3.4%	3.2%	2.8%	2.6%	2.4%	2.0%	2.0%	1.8%
2011	2.4%	2.8%	3.0%	3.0%	3.0%	2.8%	2.4%	2.2%	2.0%	1.4%	1.4%	1.6%
2012	1.4%	1.4%	1.4%	1.4%	1.6%	1.2%	1.2%	1.0%	1.0%	1.2%	1.0%	1.2%
2013	1.0%	1.2%	1.4%	1.4%	1.2%	1.2%	1.4%	2.0%	2.0%	2.4%	2.0%	2.0%
2014	2.2%	2.4%	2.2%	2.2%	2.4%	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%	2.0%
2015	2.2%	2.0%	1.8%	2.0%	1.8%	2.0%	2.2%	2.2%	2.2%	2.0%	2.0%	2.0%
2016	2.2%	2.2%	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%	1.8%	1.4%	1.4%	1.6%	1.6%	1.8%
2017	2.4%	2.6%	2.4%	2.6%	2.4%	2.4%	2.2%	2.4%	2.4%	2.2%	2.4%	2.6%
2018	2.6%	2.8%	3.0%	3.2%	3.2%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.4%	3.6%	3.6%
2019	3.4%	3.2%	3.2%	3.0%	2.8%	2.8%	2.6%	2.2%	2.2%	1.8%	2.0%	2.0%
2020	2.0%	2.2%	1.8%	1.2%	0.8%	0.6%	0.6%	0.4%	0.4%	0.4%	0.4%	0.6%
2021	0.6%	0.6%	0.8%	1.0%	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%	1.0%	1.0%	1.4%	1.6%
2022	1.6%	1.6%	2.0%	2.2%	3.0%	3.6%	3.6%	3.8%	3.6%	4.0%	4.8%	5.2%
2023	4.6%	4.6%	4.4%	5.0%	4.4%	4.2%	4.6%	5.0%	5.0%	5.4%	5.6%	5.8%
2024	5.2%	4.8%	5.0%	5.2%	5.4%	5.6%	5.4%	5.2%	4.8%	4.4%

* The rates shown for March and April of 1989 exist only for charitable transfers in May or June of 1989 because the donor may elect to apply a rate from one of the preceding two months. See Notice 89-60, 1989-1 C.B. 700, for details. Transfers actually made in March or April of 1989 are not valued using the rates shown above but using the 10% discount rate that applied before the effective date of section 7520. See Treas. Reg. section 20.2031-7A(d).

Before 1989, life estates, remainders, and annuities were valued as follows:

From 12/1/1983 to 4/30/1989, based on a rate of 10 percent and a unisex mortality table that was known as either Table CM (in one publication) or Table LN (in the regulations). You can find tables of factors for single life and term interests, as well as Table LN, at Treas. Reg. § 20.2031-7A(d)(6).
From 1/1/1971 through 11/30/1983, based on a rate of 6 percent and using a different mortality table, also known as Table LN, that showed mortality factors for males and females separately.
From 1/1/1952 through 12/31/1970, based on a rate of 3.5% and U.S. Life Table 38 (which was also gender-specific).
Before 1/1/1952, based on a rate of 4% and a still older mortality table (which was also gender-specific).

See Treas. Reg. § 20.2031-7A for additional information.

Applicable Federal Rates for 2014

← Previous Year | Current Year | Following Year →

— Short Term Rates for 2014 —

Month	Annual	Semiann.	Quarterly	Monthly
Jan-2014	0.25%	0.25%	0.25%	0.25%
Feb-2014	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
Mar-2014	0.28%	0.28%	0.28%	0.28%
Apr-2014	0.28%	0.28%	0.28%	0.28%
May-2014	0.33%	0.33%	0.33%	0.33%
Jun-2014	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%	0.32%
Jul-2014	0.31%	0.31%	0.31%	0.31%
Aug-2014	0.36%	0.36%	0.36%	0.36%
Sep-2014	0.36%	0.36%	0.36%	0.36%
Oct-2014	0.38%	0.38%	0.38%	0.38%
Nov-2014	0.39%	0.39%	0.39%	0.39%
Dec-2014	0.34%	0.34%	0.34%	0.34%

— Mid Term Rates for 2014 —

Month	Annual	Semiann.	Quarterly	Monthly
Jan-2014	1.75%	1.74%	1.74%	1.73%
Feb-2014	1.97%	1.96%	1.96%	1.95%
Mar-2014	1.84%	1.83%	1.83%	1.82%
Apr-2014	1.81%	1.80%	1.80%	1.79%
May-2014	1.93%	1.92%	1.92%	1.91%
Jun-2014	1.91%	1.90%	1.90%	1.89%
Jul-2014	1.82%	1.81%	1.81%	1.80%
Aug-2014	1.89%	1.88%	1.88%	1.87%
Sep-2014	1.86%	1.85%	1.85%	1.84%
Oct-2014	1.85%	1.84%	1.84%	1.83%
Nov-2014	1.90%	1.89%	1.89%	1.88%
Dec-2014	1.72%	1.71%	1.71%	1.70%

— Long Term Rates for 2014 —

Month	Annual	Semiann.	Quarterly	Monthly
Jan-2014	3.49%	3.46%	3.45%	3.44%
Feb-2014	3.56%	3.53%	3.51%	3.50%
Mar-2014	3.36%	3.33%	3.32%	3.31%
Apr-2014	3.32%	3.29%	3.28%	3.27%
May-2014	3.27%	3.24%	3.23%	3.22%
Jun-2014	3.14%	3.12%	3.11%	3.10%
Jul-2014	3.06%	3.04%	3.03%	3.02%
Aug-2014	3.09%	3.07%	3.06%	3.05%
Sep-2014	2.97%	2.95%	2.94%	2.93%
Oct-2014	2.89%	2.87%	2.86%	2.85%
Nov-2014	2.91%	2.89%	2.88%	2.87%
Dec-2014	2.74%	2.72%	2.71%	2.70%

ERISA Preemption of Beneficiary Designations

Decedent began divorce action before death and changed the beneficiaries of a profit sharing plan of his employer without spouse’s consent. ERISA and not 20 Pa.C.S.A. 6111.2 controls, meaning beneficiary designations could not exclude spouse without spouse’s consent in writing. Mancilla Estate, 3 Fid. Rep. 3d 297 (O.C. Chester 2013) (Opinion by Tunnell, J.)

Presumption of Undue Influence Overcome

Evidence that the decedent was eighty-nine years old, unable to perform the usual activities of daily living, experienced memory lapses, and exhibited other characteristics of old age and declining mental health were insufficient to overcome presumption of testamentary capacity, but was evidence of weakened intellect and so a presumption of undue influence arose from the execution of a “transfer on death” beneficiary designation naming as primary beneficiary the son to whom the decedent had given a power of attorney and who was involved in all decisions about the decedent’s care. However, there was sufficient evidence that the decedent exercised independent judgment to overcome the presumption of undue influence. LaVeglia Estate, 3 Fid.Rep.3d 322 (O.C. Carbon 2013):

Domicile Shown by Actions of Decedent

Decedent was domiciled in Pennsylvania at the time of her death because she had maintained the same home in Philadelphia for more than 40 years, and she had shown by her continued presence and connections to Philadelphia that she still considered it her home, even though she and her husband had purchased a residence in Florida and had signed various documents stating Florida to be their residence. Perelman Estate, 3 Fid.Rep.3d 307 (O.C. Philadelphia 2013):

Laches in Will Contest Within One Year of Death

Appeal from probate was denied even though the appeal was filed within one year of probate when there was an unexplained delay in the filing of the appeal and the estate was prejudiced by the delay because it was unable to make a charitable distribution within the first year and was required to pay taxes on capital gains as a result, so that the doctrine of laches applied. Mann Estate, 3 Fid.Rep.3d 302 (O.C. Blair 2013) (Opinion by Doyle, P.J.)

Attorney for Deceased Settlor not Required to Account to Non-Beneficiaries

Niece and nephew of deceased settlor failed to show that they were beneficiaries of a trust, or that the settlor’s lawyer had been appointed to serve as a trustee, and so they had no standing to compel an accounting from the lawyer. Frye Trust, 3 Fid. Rep. 3d 251 (O.C. Philadelphia 2013):

Weakened Intellect not Shown

Proponent of will received substantial benefit under new will because his share of the estate increased from 6% to 35%, and his family’s share increased from 39% to 76%, and proponent had a confidential relationship with the testator, his aunt, because he was one of her trusted advisors and assistants, performing many vital services for her, but contestant failed to present clear and convincing evidence of weakened intellect, only that the testator was aged and physically declining, while medical professionals and testator’s lawyer testified to her continuing mental acuity. Lista Will, 3 Fid. Rep. 3d 275 (O.C. Philadelphia 2006).