Free Tools and Information
for Scranton, PA Consumers

Pennsylvania Inheritance Law & Probate Procedure

• Pennsylvania PROBATE COURT FINDER:
  
  • Probate Court for Lackawanna County: Key information about your local probate court (Courts of Common Pleas Court in Pennsylvania) for Lackawanna County.
• How Probate Works in Pennsylvania: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Lackawanna County's probate court.
  • Here are links to:
    • Pennsylvania Probate Forms and the
    • Pennsylvania State Probate Court Website.
• Small Estates Procedures in Pennsylvania: Learn how to use Pennsylvania's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.

  • In Pennsylvannia, there's no Affidavit procedure. You can use a summary probate procedure if an estate's property is $50,000 or less, not counting real estate, certain payments the family is entitled to and funeral costs.

    20 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. 3102.

• Pennsylvania Estate Taxes:

  • Pennsylvania, like most states, does not impose an estate or inheritance tax. Only a few states do.

• Avoiding Probate in Pennsylvania. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
  • Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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Bankruptcy & Debt

• MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
  • for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for May 15, 2024)
• Pennsylvania BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Pennsylvania law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy. 
  • Federal Exemptions available in Pennsylvania?:  

    • Yes. Federal exemptions are available.

  • Pennsylvania Homestead Exemption

    • None; however, property held as tenancy by the entirety may be exempt against debts owed by only one spouse

  • Pennsylvania Vehicle Exemption

    • none

• Pennsylvania BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
• FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
  We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

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Democracy In Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County, Scranton 

• Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
• How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Scranton, PA.
  • Key Links:
    • Check Your Pennsylvania Voter Registration Status: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/voterregistrationstatus.aspx
• Gerrymandering in Pennsylvania: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
• Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about 

 

Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

• Benefit Amounts in Pennsylvania: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
  • Minimum: 
    • $68 per week
  • Maximum: 
    • $605 per week
  • Duration: 

    • In Pennsylvania, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks under state law. 

• Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
• How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Pennsylvania.
  • Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Unemployment Compensation 
    • 888-313-7284
• Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
• COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

• Pennsylvania Wage & Hour Law

  • Pennsylvania Minimum Wage:  

    • Under the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, as amended in 2006, the current minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage.

  • Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Pennsylvania and whether they apply to you.
  • Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Pennsylvania. 
  • Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Pennsylvania.

    • In Pennsylvania, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $2.83 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

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Find a Lawyer in Scranton, PA

• Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
• DUI, Criminal Defense
• Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
• Immigration
• Legal Aid
  • PALawHelp 

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