reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
20 PA Cons Stat § 3154 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3154 - Affidavit and oath

 § 3154. Affidavit and oath. (a) Fiduciary and witness.--The affidavit to a petition for the grant of letters and the oath of the fiduciary relative to the performance of his duties and, except as provided in subsection (b), the oath of a witness relative to probate of a will shall be taken before and administered by:  (1) Within the Commonwealth.--The register of any county of the Commonwealth.  (2) Outside of the Commonwealth.--A public officer of another jurisdiction having duties similar to those of a register who has been authorized to do so by the register of the county where the application for letters is to be made.  (b) Subscribing witness.--Unless there is a contest with respect to the validity of the will or unless the will is signed by mark or by another under section 2502(2) or (3) (relating to form and execution of a will), the oath of a subscribing witness relative to probate of a will may be taken before an officer authorized to administer oaths under the laws of this Commonwealth or under the laws of another state.  (July 14, 1988, P.L.553, No.99, eff. imd.)   Cross References. Section 3154 is referred to in sections 911, 3908 of this title.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3155 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3155 - Persons entitled

§ 3155. Persons entitled. (a) Letters testamentary.--Letters testamentary shall be granted by the register to the executor designated in the will, whether or not he has declined a trust under the will.  (b) Letters of administration.--Letters of administration shall be granted by the register, in such form as the case shall require, to one or more of those hereinafter mentioned and, except for good cause, in the following order:  (1) Those entitled to the residuary estate under the will. (2) The surviving spouse. (3) Those entitled under the intestate law as the register, in his discretion, shall judge will best administer the estate, giving preference, however, according to the sizes of the shares of those in this class.  (4) The principal creditors of the decedent at the time of his death. (5) Other fit persons. (6) If anyone of the foregoing shall renounce his right to letters of administration, the register, in his discretion, may appoint a nominee of the person so renouncing in preference to the persons set forth in any succeeding paragraph.  (7) A guardianship support agency serving as guardian of an incapacitated person who dies during the guardianship administered pursuant to Subchapter F of Chapter 55 (relating to guardianship support).  (8) A redevelopment authority formed pursuant to the act of May 24, 1945 (P.L.991, No.385), known as the Urban Redevelopment Law.  (c) Time limitation.--Except with the consent of those enumerated in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), no letters shall be issued to those enumerated in paragraph (4), (5) or (8) of subsection (b) until 30 days after the decedent's death.  (d) Death charges.--Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), the register shall not grant letters testamentary or letters of administration to any person charged, whether by indictment, information or otherwise, by the United States, the Commonwealth or any of the several states, with voluntary manslaughter or homicide, except homicide by vehicle, in connection with a decedent's death unless and until the charge is withdrawn, dismissed or a verdict of not guilty is returned.   (Apr. 16, 1992, P.L.108, No.24, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.838, No.118, eff. 60 days; Nov. 29, 2006, P.L.1536, No.171, eff. 60 days)    Cross References. Section 3155 is referred to in sections 3181, 3182 of this title.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3156 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3156 - Persons not qualified

§ 3156. Persons not qualified. No person shall be qualified to serve as a personal representative who is: (1) Under 18 years of age. (2) A corporation not authorized to act as fiduciary in the Commonwealth. (3) A person, other than an executor designated by name or description in the will, found by the register to be unfit to be entrusted with the administration of the estate.  (4) The nominee of any beneficiary, legatee or person having any interest whatsoever, when such beneficiary, legatee or person is a citizen or resident of any country outside the territorial limits or possessions of the United States, when it shall appear doubtful to the register that in the distribution of the estate any such person will have the actual benefit, use, enjoyment or control of the money or other property representing his share or interest therein.  (5) Charged, whether by indictment, information or otherwise, by the United States, the Commonwealth or any of the several states, with voluntary manslaughter or homicide, except homicide by vehicle, in connection with a decedent's death unless and until the charge is withdrawn, dismissed or a verdict of not guilty is returned.   (Dec. 6, 1972, P.L.1461, No.331; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.838, No.118, eff. 60 days)   2000 Amendment. Act 118 added par. (5).  1972 Amendment. Act 331 amended par. (1).  Cross References. Section 3156 is referred to in sections 3181, 3182 of this title.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3157 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3157 - Nonresidents

§ 3157. Nonresidents. The register shall have discretion to refuse letters of administration to any individual not a resident of this Commonwealth.   (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days)
20 PA Cons Stat § 3158 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3158 - Letters of administration C.T.A

§ 3158. Letters of administration C.T.A. When there is a will, but no executor qualifies, letters of administration cum testamento annexo may be granted to the person or persons entitled thereto.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3159 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3159 - Letters of administration D.B.N. or D.B.N.C.T.A

§ 3159. Letters of administration D.B.N. or D.B.N.C.T.A. When an entire vacancy occurs in the office of personal representative before administration is completed, the register, in a case of intestacy, shall grant letters of administration de bonis non, and in the case of testacy, letters de bonis non cum testamento annexo, to the person or persons entitled thereto.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3160 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3160 - Letters of administration durante minoritate, durante absentia, and pendente lite

§ 3160. Letters of administration durante minoritate, durante absentia, and pendente lite. Whenever the circumstances of the case require, letters of administration durante minoritate, durante absentia, or pendente lite may be granted to any fit person or persons, after such notice, if any, as the register shall require.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3161 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3161 - Oath of personal representative

§ 3161. Oath of personal representative. Before letters shall be granted to a personal representative by the register, the personal representative shall swear that he will well and truly administer the estate according to law. The oath of a corporate personal representative may be taken by any of its officers.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3162 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3162 - Advertisement of grant of letters

§ 3162. Advertisement of grant of letters. (a) Notice generally.--The personal representative, immediately after the grant of letters, shall cause notice thereof to be given in one newspaper of general circulation published at or near the place where the decedent resided or, in the case of a nonresident decedent, at or near the place where the letters were granted, and in the legal periodical, if any, designated by rule of court for the publication of legal notices, once a week for three successive weeks, together with his name and address; and in every such notice, he shall request all persons having claims against the estate of the decedent to make known the same to him or his attorney, and all persons indebted to the decedent to make payment to him without delay.  (b) Proofs of advertisement to trustee.--A personal representative who has advertised the grant of letters and received the notice required by section 7780.3(c) (relating to duty to inform and report) shall promptly send copies of the proofs of that advertisement to the trustee.  (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.77, No.37, eff. 60 days; Oct. 27, 2010, P.L.837, No.85, eff. 60 days)    Cross References. Section 3162 is referred to in section 7755 of this title.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3163 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3163 - Submission to jurisdiction

§ 3163. Submission to jurisdiction. (a) General rule.--By accepting appointment by the register of wills, the personal representative submits personally to the jurisdiction of the orphans' court division of the county where letters testamentary or letters of administration are granted in all matters involving the performance of the personal representative's duties as personal representative, and an action by any interested party seeking an accounting by, or removal of, the personal representative, or alleging breach of duty by the personal representative, shall be commenced by notice to the personal representative.  (b) Criminal contempt.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no personal representative shall be held in criminal contempt of an order of the orphans' court division without the prior issuance of a citation and service of process.  (July 8, 2016, P.L.497, No.79, eff. Jan. 1, 2017)   2016 Amendment. Act 79 added section 3163.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3171 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3171 - Individual estate

§ 3171. Individual estate. Except as hereinafter provided, before letters shall be granted to any personal representative, he shall execute and file a bond which shall be in the name of the Commonwealth, with sufficient surety, in such amount as the register considers necessary, having regard to the value of the personal estate which will come into the control of the personal representative, and conditioned in the following form:  (1) When one personal representative.--The condition of this obligation is, that if the said personal representative shall well and truly administer the estate according to law, this obligation shall be void; but otherwise, it shall remain in force.  (2) When two or more personal representatives.--The condition of this obligation is, that if the said personal representatives or any of them shall well and truly administer the estate according to law, this obligation shall be void as to the personal representative or representatives who shall so administer the estate; but otherwise, it shall remain in force.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3172 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3172 - Register's responsibility

§ 3172. Register's responsibility. If any register shall grant letters without having taken such bond as is required by law, he and his surety shall be liable to pay all damages which shall accrue to any person by reason thereof. Nothing herein stated shall be deemed to relieve the personal representative from liability which would otherwise be imposed upon him by law.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3173 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3173 - Fiduciary estate

§ 3173. Fiduciary estate. The register, in his discretion, upon the application of any party in interest, in addition to any bond required for the decedent's individual estate, may require a separate bond in the name of the Commonwealth, with sufficient surety, in such amount as the register shall consider necessary for the protection of the parties in interest in an estate of which the decedent was a fiduciary, and conditioned in the following form:  (1) When one personal representative.--The condition of this obligation is, that if the said personal representative shall well and truly account for property held by the decedent as fiduciary according to law, this obligation shall be void; but otherwise, it shall remain in force.  (2) When two or more personal representatives.--The condition of this obligation is, that if the said personal representatives or any of them shall well and truly account for property held by the decedent as fiduciary according to law, this obligation shall be void as to the personal representative or representatives who shall so account; but otherwise, it shall remain in force.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3174 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3174 - When not required

 § 3174. When not required. (a) Corporate personal representative.--No bond shall be required of:  (1) A bank and trust company or of a trust company incorporated in this Commonwealth. (2) A national bank having its principal office in this Commonwealth. (3) A foreign corporate fiduciary or a national bank having its principal office out of this Commonwealth, otherwise qualified to act if the laws of the state in which it is incorporated or in which the national bank is located provide a similar exemption for corporations existing under the laws of this Commonwealth.  (b) Individual personal representative.--Unless a bond is ordered by the court or is required by the will, if any, no bond shall be required of an individual personal representative who:  (1) Is named in the will as an original or successor personal representative and: (i) is a resident of this Commonwealth; (ii) has been excused from filing a bond by the express direction of the testator in his will; or  (iii) is not a resident of this Commonwealth but will serve with a resident co-personal representative of whom no bond is required if the petition for letters includes an averment that all assets will remain in the custody and control of the resident co-personal representative.  (2) Is not named in the will, if any, as an original or successor personal representative but is a resident of this Commonwealth and is either the sole residuary legatee or next of kin or is the nominee of all residuary legatees or next of kin who are adult and sui juris.   (July 9, 1976, P.L.551, No.135, eff. imd.; Apr. 18, 1978, P.L.42, No.23, eff. 60 days; July 11, 1980, P.L.565, No.118, eff. 60 days)
20 PA Cons Stat § 3175 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3175 - Requiring or changing amount of bond

§ 3175. Requiring or changing amount of bond. (a) By the court.--The court, upon cause shown and after such notice, if any, as it shall direct, may require a surety bond, or increase or decrease the amount of an existing bond, or require more or less security therefor.  (b) By the register.-- (1) If, after examining the inventory or inheritance tax return, the register determines that the register has required insufficient security, the register may direct the personal representative to post additional security.  (2) The personal representative shall post such additional security as the register may reasonably require.  (3) Subject to paragraph (4), in the event the personal representative fails or refuses to post the additional security, the register shall refer the matter to the court for appropriate enforcement.  (4) If the register requires additional security and the personal representative obtains a waiver from all parties in interest to the estate, the personal representative may elect to not post additional security, and the register shall be released and held harmless from any and all liability related to the personal representative's failure to post the security.  (5) A waiver under paragraph (4) must be signed on a form provided by the register subject to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 (relating to unsworn falsification to authorities) and contain, at a minimum, all of the following information:  (i) The name and address of the beneficiary. (ii) The name of the decedent. (iii) The estate's file number. (iv) The name and address of each personal representative. (v) A list of distributions that have been made to beneficiaries to date. (vi) The amount of additional security requested by the register. (vii) An estimate by the administrator of the amount of time necessary to complete the administration of the estate from the date of the waiver.  (c) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed as creating any liability of a register or the register's surety to any person for the register's failure to require additional security under this section.  (Oct. 24, 2018, P.L.722, No.113, eff. 60 days)
20 PA Cons Stat § 3181 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3181 - Revocation of letters

 § 3181. Revocation of letters. (a) When no will.--The register may revoke letters of administration granted by him whenever it appears that the person to whom the letters were granted is not entitled thereto.  (b) When a will.--The register may amend or revoke letters testamentary or of administration granted by him not in conformity with the provisions of a will admitted to probate.  (c) Death charges.--Whether or not a will has been submitted or admitted, the register may revoke letters testamentary or of administration when it appears that the person to whom the letters were granted has been charged with voluntary manslaughter or homicide, except homicide by vehicle, as set forth in sections 3155 (relating to persons entitled) and 3156 (relating to persons not qualified), provided that the revocation shall not occur on these grounds if and when the charge has been dismissed, withdrawn or terminated by a verdict of not guilty.   (Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.838, No.118, eff. 60 days)   2000 Amendment. Act 118 added subsec. (c).
20 PA Cons Stat § 3182 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3182 - Grounds for removal

§ 3182. Grounds for removal. The court shall have exclusive power to remove a personal representative when he: (1) is wasting or mismanaging the estate, is or is likely to become insolvent, or has failed to perform any duty imposed by law; or  (2) (Deleted by amendment). (3) has become incapacitated to discharge the duties of his office because of sickness or physical or mental incapacity and his incapacity is likely to continue to the injury of the estate; or  (4) has removed from the Commonwealth or has ceased to have a known place of residence therein, without furnishing such security or additional security as the court shall direct; or  (4.1) has been charged with voluntary manslaughter or homicide, except homicide by vehicle, as set forth in sections 3155 (relating to persons entitled) and 3156 (relating to persons not qualified), provided that the removal shall not occur on these grounds if the charge has been dismissed, withdrawn or terminated by a verdict of not guilty; or  (5) when, for any other reason, the interests of the estate are likely to be jeopardized by his continuance in office.   (Apr. 16, 1992, P.L.108, No.24, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.838, No.118, eff. 60 days)    2000 Amendment. Act 118 added par. (4.1).  1992 Amendment. See section 21 of Act 24 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability.  Cross References. Section 3182 is referred to in sections 5131, 5515 of this title.
20 PA Cons Stat § 3183 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES|Chapter 31 - Dispositions Independent of Letters; Family Exemption; Probate of Wills and Grant of Letters|Section 3183 - Procedure for and effect of removal

§ 3183. Procedure for and effect of removal. The court on its own motion may, and on the petition of any party in interest alleging adequate grounds for removal shall, order the personal representative to appear and show cause why he should not be removed, or, when necessary to protect the rights of creditors or parties in interest, may summarily remove him. Upon removal, the court may direct the grant of new letters testamentary or of administration by the register to the person entitled and may, by summary attachment of the person or other appropriate orders, provide for the security and delivery of the assets of the estate, together with all books, accounts and papers relating thereto. Any personal representative summarily removed under the provisions of this section may apply, by petition, to have the decree of removal vacated and to be reinstated, and, if the court shall vacate the decree of removal and reinstate him, it shall thereupon make any orders which may be appropriate to accomplish the reinstatement.    Cross References. Section 3183 is referred to in sections 5131, 5515, 7766 of this title.