Wills by state
How to Make a Will in Pennsylvania
What Pennsylvania law requires for a valid will, how signing works, and the details that trip people up — in plain English.
Pennsylvania will requirements at a glance
18+
You must be at least 18 and of sound mind.
Not required at signing
Pennsylvania is unique: a will is valid with just your signature at the end (20 Pa. C.S. §2502) — attesting witnesses are required only if you sign by mark or someone signs for you. Two people must still prove your signature at probate, so having two witnesses sign anyway, with the affidavit below, remains the practical standard.
Not required for validity
A notary is not what makes the will valid — but notarizing a self-proving affidavit (below) is strongly recommended.
Available
A short notarized statement signed with your witnesses. It lets the probate court accept the will without tracking your witnesses down later.
Recognized
An unwitnessed will in your own handwriting can be valid — but holographic wills are the most-contested kind. A properly witnessed will is far safer.
Inheritance tax
Pennsylvania levies an inheritance tax paid by some beneficiaries, at rates that depend on their relationship to you.
Signing your will in Pennsylvania
- 1
Put your wishes in writing
Decide who inherits, who serves as your personal representative (executor), and who would care for minor children. Our guided questions walk you through every decision.
- 2
Gather two adult witnesses
Choose adults who don't inherit under the will. You sign (or acknowledge your signature) in front of them; they sign in front of you.
- 3
Add the self-proving affidavit
You and your witnesses sign a short sworn statement before a notary — usually in the same sitting. This one step saves your family from having to locate witnesses during probate.
- 4
Store it well and tell your executor
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and findable — a fireproof box at home beats a bank safe-deposit box your family can't open. Tell your executor where it is.
Pennsylvania specifics worth knowing
Pennsylvania is unusually flexible about execution — a will generally needs only the testator's signature at the end — but witnesses still matter, because unwitnessed wills must be proved by two people familiar with the signature at probate in the Orphans' Court. Pennsylvania's inheritance tax applies at rates that depend on the beneficiary's relationship to you: transfers to a spouse are taxed at 0%, to children and parents at 4.5%, to siblings at 12%, and to most others at 15%.
Pennsylvania will FAQs
Does a will need to be notarized in Pennsylvania?
No. In Pennsylvania, a will is made valid by your signature at the end of the document — not by a notary. However, adding a notarized self-proving affidavit is strongly recommended: it lets the probate court accept your will without needing your witnesses to testify later.
Can I write my own will in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania recognizes holographic (handwritten, unwitnessed) wills, and you can also create a typed, witnessed will yourself — no lawyer is required. That said, holographic wills are the most frequently contested kind. A guided, properly witnessed will costs little and is far harder to challenge.
What happens if I die without a will in Pennsylvania?
Your estate passes under Pennsylvania's intestacy laws — a fixed priority list (usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings). Unmarried partners, stepchildren, friends, and charities receive nothing under these defaults, and the court chooses your estate's administrator and your minor children's guardian without your input.
How much does a will cost in Pennsylvania?
An attorney-drafted will in Pennsylvania typically runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars. With Plan Your After you build your complete estate plan — will, trust, powers of attorney, living will, and HIPAA authorization — free, and pay $149 only when you're ready to finalize and download, including a year of unlimited updates.
This page is general information about Pennsylvania law, not legal advice, and laws change. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.
Pennsylvania estate planning
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