Delaware County runs probate out of the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court Division at the Government Center in Media. If a parent or relative left you a twin in Upper Darby, a small detached house near Drexel Hill or an older home in Chester, the first job is the same: get the estate opened and get letters issued. The person with letters is the person who can sign a sales contract for the estate.
No obligation. We respond within 24 hours.
Delco's inner-ring twins and Chester's older industrial housing often need broad updates, which makes heirs wonder whether to renovate, list or sell as-is. This guide covers the Media office's appointment process, how inheritance tax is filed and paid there, and how a cash sale works alongside it. It is general information. An estate attorney and a tax professional should handle your specific file.
The county offers 30-minute in-person and virtual appointments to probate an estate. For an in-person visit, call the probate desk at 610-891-4419. For a virtual appointment, the office asks that you email all materials as PDF attachments in one single message to the probate email address on its page. Do not send multiple emails. Appointments are 30 minutes, so write down your questions and ask the estate attorney which records to bring.
The county lists a completed online pre-entry form among the items you need. Filling it out before the appointment keeps the meeting short. Make sure names on the form match the death certificate and the deed, since mismatches slow down a later sale.
Bring the death certificate, the original documents to probate and a payment method. The county accepts check, money order or credit card for these fees and refers you to its ROW fee schedule for amounts. Bring a printed copy of the deed if you already have one.
The Register of Wills is the agent for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. The office accepts the REV-1500 return, in duplicate, and sends it on. For inheritance tax payments it accepts check and money order, made out to Register of Wills, Agent. It does not take credit cards.
The county says its staff do not help with form completion, tax assessment, refunds or underpayment bills. Questions about those go to the Department of Revenue, which the county lists at 717-787-8327. A tax professional can complete the return and tell you which rate applies to each heir.
The Department of Revenue lists 4.5% for direct descendants, 12% for siblings and 15% for other heirs, with a 5% discount for paying within three months of death. The tax becomes delinquent nine months after death. Estates that plan to sell the house usually want the sale proceeds in time to cover the tax.
Under Pennsylvania law, a personal representative can sell real property that is not specifically devised unless the will provides otherwise. A specific devisee generally must join the sale. If the court requires a bond, sale proceeds are held back until security is addressed. Ask the estate attorney to confirm what applies before you accept an offer.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Probate appointment | One 30-minute appointment, in person or virtual |
| Inheritance tax discount window | Within 3 months of death |
| Inheritance tax delinquent | 9 months after death |
| Kaizen cash offer | Within 24 hours of getting the property details |
| Kaizen closing | 14 to 30 days, or on the date you choose |
Government Center, 201 W. Front St., Media, PA 19063
610-891-4400
Probate appointments, letters and inheritance tax returns. Probate line 610-891-4419; inheritance tax line 610-891-4110.
Official pageSome Delco heirs keep a house, some rent it, some list it. A listing can bring more when the house is updated, but twins that still have original kitchens, old wiring or unfinished cleanout work take time and money to prepare. Add agent commission, carrying costs while the house sits, and the risk a buyer's loan falls through. Ask for a market opinion from an agent, then compare it to the net from a cash offer. If the twin is rented, ask the estate attorney how rent and tenant matters should be handled during administration.
If the estate wants out of the twin quickly, Kaizen will buy it as-is for cash. You get an offer within 24 hours, with no repairs and no agent commission, and we close in 14 to 30 days or on the date the estate sets. Letters from the Media office come before any contract. Show the paperwork to your estate attorney, and call 267-329-0084 with questions.
At the Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court Division in the Government Center, 201 W. Front St., Media. The county offers 30-minute in-person and virtual appointments. For in-person visits, call 610-891-4419.
The county lists a death certificate, a completed online pre-entry form, the original documents to probate, and payment by check, money order or credit card. Fees are on the county's ROW fee schedule.
No. The county says the Register of Wills accepts the REV-1500 return and transmits it to the Department of Revenue, but does not help complete forms, assess the tax or handle refunds. It refers those questions to the Department of Revenue at 717-787-8327.
By check or money order made payable to Register of Wills, Agent. The office does not accept credit cards or make change for cash. The return must be submitted in duplicate.
Yes, once the executor or administrator has letters and the authority to sell. We make as-is cash offers within 24 hours with no repairs and no commission, and can close in 14 to 30 days or on the estate's date. The estate attorney should approve the contract.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm details with the office or a professional.
No obligation. No fees. Just a fair offer from a local buyer.