Court Appointed Special Advocates

Links

• Estate Notices - PA Legal Ads
• Register of Wills and Clerks of Orphans' Court Association of PA
• PA Courts - Orphans' Court Forms (Register of Wills)
• PA Department of Revenue
• PA Department of Health
• Wealth Transfer in Pennsylvania
• York County Archives
• York County Bar Association
• York County History Center

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and Information

The Register of Wills frequently receives requests for assistance in preparing and/or filing forms required for a particular matter.  However, the Register of Wills Office is not permitted to offer opinions, directions or instructions on any matter that may be construed as legal advice.

Please see the menu below to select from our FAQs sections, which are divided by topic. Our hope is that the information will be useful by providing commonly requested information concerning the office.

The information provided is not intended to be legal advice or to offer any opinion of the legal remedies available or appropriate procedure in any particular circumstance.

Will Information

Estate Information

Inheritance Tax Information

Forms

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Register of Wills Forms:

PA Courts - Orphans' Court / Register of Wills Forms:

PA Department of Revenue:

GUIDE FOR FILING PETITION FOR ADJUDICATIONS & FIRST AND FINAL ACCOUNT

History of the Office

York County was part of Chester County until May 19, 1729, when York became part of Lancaster County. York remained part of Lancaster County until August 19, 1749, when York County was formally created.

The will of Daniel Johnson of Chanceford Township was the first to be probated (on Oct. 24, 1749) in the newly formed County.

The first Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court of York County was George Stevenson, who was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1718. At the time of his service, Stevenson was a prominent landowner who wielded significant political influence.

The Register of Wills was appointed by the General Assembly until 1790. From 1790 to 1839, appointments were made by the Governor of Pennsylvania.

On Oct. 11, 1839, John Stahle became the first elected Register of Wills.

Registers