Pennsylvania probate, civil and family deadlines

Inheritance tax 5% discount ends

3 months after the date of death

To the extent that the inheritance tax is paid within three months after the death of the decedent, a discount of five per cent shall be allowed.

72 P.S. §9142 (Tax Reform Code §2142) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Inheritance tax return (REV-1500) and payment

9 months after the date of death

The returns required by subsection (a) shall be filed within nine months after the death of the decedent.

72 P.S. §§9136(d), 9142 (Tax Reform Code §§2136, 2142) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Written notice to beneficiaries and intestate heirs

3 months after the date letters were issued

(a) Within three months after a grant of letters or whenever there is a change in personal representative, a personal representative or the personal representative's counsel shall send a written notice

Pa. O.C. Rule 10.5(a), (d) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

One year from first complete advertisement: distribution without liability

12 months after the first publication of notice to creditors

unless the claim of such claimant is known to the personal representative within one year after the first complete advertisement of the grant of letters to such personal representative or thereafter but prior to such distribution.

20 Pa.C.S. §§102, 3532(a), (b) · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Advertise the grant of letters "immediately"; accounts are on citation

The personal representative, immediately after the grant of letters, shall cause notice thereof to be given in one newspaper of general circulation

20 Pa.C.S. §§3162(a), 3501.1 · Checked 4 October 2026 · Read the rule

Serve original process within the Commonwealth

30 days after the complaint was filed

Original process shall be served within the Commonwealth within 30 days after ... the issuance of the writ or the filing of the complaint.

Pa.R.C.P. 401(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Serve original process outside the Commonwealth

90 days after the complaint was filed

Original process shall be served outside the Commonwealth within ninety days of the issuance of the writ or the filing

Pa.R.C.P. 404 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Responsive pleading (answer or preliminary objections) due

20 days after the summons and complaint were served

every pleading subsequent to the complaint shall be filed within twenty days after service of the preceding pleading,

Pa.R.C.P. 1026(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Responsive pleading due: defendant served outside the United States

60 days after the summons and complaint were served

A defendant served outside the United States shall have sixty days ... from service of the complaint within which to plead.

Pa.R.C.P. 1026(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Plead over after preliminary objections are overruled

20 days after the court decided the motion

(d) If the preliminary objections are overruled, the objecting party shall have the right to plead over ... within twenty days after notice of the order or within such other time as the court shall fix.

Pa.R.C.P. 1028(d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Amended pleading due after order allowing or requiring amendment

20 days after the court decided the motion

(e) If the filing of an amendment, an amended pleading or a new pleading is allowed or required, it shall be filed ... within twenty days after notice of the order or within such other time as the court shall fix.

Pa.R.C.P. 1028(e) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Response to amended complaint due

20 days after the amended pleading was served

every pleading subsequent to the complaint shall be filed within twenty days after service of the preceding pleading,

Pa.R.C.P. 1026(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Answers and objections to interrogatories due

30 days after the discovery requests were served

The answering party shall serve a copy of the answers, and objections if any, within thirty days ... after the service of the interrogatories.

Pa.R.C.P. 4006(a)(2) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Answer to request for production due (with objections and documents)

30 days after the discovery requests were served

shall within thirty days after the service of the request

Pa.R.C.P. 4009.12(a) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Answers or objections to requests for admission due (otherwise admitted)

30 days after the discovery requests were served

The matter is admitted unless, within thirty days after service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time

Pa.R.C.P. 4014(b), (d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Amend as of course after preliminary objections are served

20 days after the motion was served

(1) A party may file an amended pleading as of course within twenty days after service of a copy of ... preliminary objections.

Pa.R.C.P. 1028(c)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Response to motion for summary judgment due

30 days after the motion was served

must file a response within thirty days after service of the motion identifying ... Summary judgment may be entered against a party who does not respond.

Pa.R.C.P. 1035.3(a), (d) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Response to motion governed by a county Local Rule 208.3(b)

20 days after the motion was served

Where a response is required, any party opposing a motion governed by Local Rule 208.3(b) shall file the response ... within twenty days after service of the motion, unless the time for filing the response is modified by court order

Pa.R.C.P. 208.3(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Post-trial motions due

10 days after the verdict or decision

Post-trial motions shall be filed within ten days after ... (1) verdict, discharge of the jury because of inability to agree, or nonsuit in the case of a jury trial; or

Pa.R.C.P. 227.1(c) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of appeal due (Superior/Commonwealth Court)

30 days after judgment was entered

within 30 days after the entry of the order from which the appeal is taken.

Pa.R.A.P. 903(a); Pa.R.A.P. 108(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Original process by mail: service complete on delivery

Service is complete upon delivery of the mail.

Pa.R.C.P. 403 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Cross-appeal: 14 days after first notice of appeal is served

within 14 days of the date on which the first notice of appeal was served, ... or within the time otherwise prescribed by this rule, whichever period last expires.

Pa.R.A.P. 903(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Motion notice, opposition and reply dates are local

(b) A court, by local rule, numbered Local Rule 208.3(b), may impose requirements

Pa.R.C.P. 208.3(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Serve original process in domestic relations matter (in Pennsylvania)

30 days after the petition was filed

Within 30 days of filing the original process, a person or party shall serve the original process ... on a defendant located within the Commonwealth.

Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4(e)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Serve original process in domestic relations matter (outside Pennsylvania)

90 days after the petition was filed

Within 90 days of filing the original process, a person or party shall serve the original process ... on a defendant located outside the Commonwealth as:

Pa.R.C.P. 1930.4(e)(2)(i) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Mutual-consent divorce: earliest grant, once 90 days from commencement have passed

90 days after the petition was filedEarliest day, not a last day: the day after this period

(1) The court may grant a divorce where it is alleged that the marriage is irretrievably broken and 90 days ... have elapsed from the date of commencement of an action under this part

23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(c)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Mutual-consent divorce: affidavits of consent may be signed 90+ days after service

90 days after the petition was servedEarliest day, not a last day

the parties have signed Affidavits of Consent 90 days or more after service of the complaint

Pa.R.C.P. 1920.42 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Notice of appeal due (Superior/Commonwealth Court)

30 days after the judgment was entered

within 30 days after the entry of the order from which the appeal is taken.

Pa.R.A.P. 903(a); Pa.R.A.P. 108(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Cross-appeal: 14 days after first notice of appeal is served

within 14 days of the date on which the first notice of appeal was served, ... or within the time otherwise prescribed by this rule, whichever period last expires.

Pa.R.A.P. 903(b) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Divorce: no answer deadline; averments deemed denied

The averments in the complaint as to the divorce or annulment, ... shall be deemed denied unless admitted by an answer.

Pa.R.C.P. 1920.14(a)-(b); 1920.42 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Irretrievable-breakdown divorce: one year living separate and apart

have lived separate and apart for a period of at least one year and that the marriage is irretrievably broken

23 Pa.C.S. § 3301(d)(1) · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

Consent affidavits filed within 30 days of signing; 20-day wait after Notice of Intention

and have filed the affidavits within 30 days of signing, ... the moving party shall wait a minimum of 20 days after service of the Notice of Intention to File

Pa.R.C.P. 1920.42 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule

No post-trial motions in domestic relations; reconsideration does not stop the appeal clock

(a) There shall be no motions for post-trial relief in any domestic relations matter, including

Pa.R.C.P. 1930.2(a)-(b); Pa.R.C.P. 1920.52 · Checked 24 October 2026 · Read the rule