Paralegal - ROW

Job Summary

Responsible for processing all applicable documents related to the following legal issues to include but not limited to:

Determining the validity of Wills and Codicils and the Granting of Letters to a Personal Representative, Issuing Oaths, Verifying Subscribing/Non-Subscribing Witnesses, Bond requirements, Self-Proving Affidavit, Preparation of Exemplified Records, Caveats (Formal and Informal), Revocations, Citations, Register of Wills Orders and attending Register Hearings as required.

(In addition – any other legal documents that would be deemed necessary or appropriate under the statutes for the Register of Wills to perform the Judicial Duties of the office.)

The Paralegal assists the Register of Wills and Chief Deputy Register of Wills with record processing duties and provides assistance to the general public, professionals and others in relation to the probating of wills and opening of estates. The Paralegal must be able to show empathy during the probate process. In the absence of the Chief Deputy Register of Wills, the Paralegal will assume those duties.

Appointed by the court to be the true and lawful Paralegal of the Register of Wills of the York County Court of Common Pleas to act as fully and completely in the premises as the Register of Wills in performing his duties.

About Us

Located in south-central Pennsylvania, York County Government offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and grow in a career while making a difference in the lives of York County residents. Each County department meets a unique need in the community and provides an opportunity for both professional growth and personal satisfaction. York County offers a competitive wage and benefit package.

The Register of Wills office/staff has exclusive jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the grant of letters to a personal representative. The office has the power to issue subpoenas, issue oaths, issue commissions. The PA Supreme Court has recognized that in probating wills and granting of letters of administration or letters testamentary that the Register of Wills office/staff in performing those duties acts in a judicial capacity. The Federal Courts have also recognized that in PA the Register of Wills is a Judicial Officer, holding that the Register of Wills office/staff had absolute immunity for Judicial Acts perform by the register office/staff in the exercise of judicial functions. The Register of Wills is an integral part of the Commonwealth’s Unified Judicial System and as such is part of the Judiciary.

Responsibilities

• Knowledge of 20 Pa. C.S.A. Probate, Estates & Fiduciaries Code, Inheritance & Estate Tax Including Intestacy Law (20 Pa. C.S.A. 3155), Caveats Formal/ Informal (20 Pa. C.S.A. 906), Bond Requirements, Self-proving Clause, Death Certificates, Wills and Codicils
• Greets and assists clients at counter utilizing excellent customer service skills
• Assists public and professionals in probating wills and raising estates
• Review Petition for Granting of Letters to meet requirements of 20 Pa. C.S.A. Probate, Estates & Fiduciaries Code
• Determine who qualifies as personal representative to administer the estate according to the intestacy law 20 Pa. C.S.A. Probate, Estates & Fiduciaries Code
• Determine bond requirements
• Determine the required fees due for any and all filings submitted pursuant to 42 P.S. Section 21022.1
• Collection of Fees (Fee Bill) and apply to proper account code
• Administers oath to personal representatives and witnesses
• Process and docket probate petitions, orders, citations, caveats, revocations – date/time stamp
• Process inheritance tax payments (REV 1500) and issue official receipt and validate postmark date for discount and apply to proper account code
• Review and docket Department of Revenue Inheritance Tax Appraisements and Assessments
• Transmit all required filings to Department of Revenue via the internet
• Process subsequent estate filings
• Reviews estates for additional probate fees due including notification to personal representative/counsel of record and collection of delinquent fees. Advise Register of delinquent accounts to initiate legal action
• Monitors Supreme Court Rule 10.6 requirement
• Notify Judge of non-compliance of 10.6 Rule
• Prepare and Process Exemplified Records for signature by Register and Orphans’ Court Judge
• Prepare Deputization documents for out-of-state personal representatives and witnesses
• Processes daily mail - Date/Time Stamp - Docket
• Answers telephone inquiries efficiently and in a courteous manner
• Assist pro se filers without giving legal advice
• Reconcile daily receipts reports for fees and inheritance tax and prepare bank deposit
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by elected Register/Clerk and Chief Deputy Register of Wills
• Responsible for the legal review of all required documents or tasks as they relate to the Statutory Powers and Duties of the Register of Wills per 20 Pa. C.S.A. Probate, Estates & Fiduciaries Code
• Assists with genealogy questions
• In absence of Chief Deputy, responsible for those job functions

Essential Requirements

• High School Diploma
• Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies; or Associate’s Degree in any discipline and two (2) years of Paralegal experience; or five (5) years of Paralegal experience or minimum 2 years office experience.
• Must be a team player and be able to work closely with a co-worker
• Excellent communication skills
• Must possess knowledge of operation of personal computers, to include Microsoft Word, Outlook, and other general office equipment
• Must possess accurate computer and data entry skills
• Ability to understand and apply Title 42 Domestic Relations Statute
• Ability to understand and apply Title 20 Probate, Estate and Fiduciaries Code, and PA Supreme Court Orphans’ Court Rules
• Shall have understanding of the PA Inheritance and Estate Tax

Contact Details

If you have any questions, please contact the county's Department of Human Resources at ychr@yorkcountypa.gov.