After appointment by the Court, the personal Representative has the power to act on behalf of the estate. Thus, after appointment, the Personal Representative can begin to marshal assets and pay debts.
The Register of Wills office or the Orphans’ Court monitors this process by requiring that the Personal Representative file Inventories of assets and accountings of estate financial activity. Although the actual requirements vary from county to county, the Personal Representative must stand ready to establish the value of all assets and show that all lawful debts have been paid. The Personal Representative must also file information about assets passing outside of the formal estate (for example, as joint tenants).
