Pennsylvania Orphans' Court Rules – 2026
Rules governing proceedings in the Orphans' Court divisions of Pennsylvania courts of common pleas, including estates, trusts, guardianships, adoptions, and related matters.
Browse all 143 rules of the 2026 edition organized by section below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
Chapter I: Preliminary Rules
Rules 1.1–1.99
Chapter II: Accounts, Objections and Distributions
Rules 2.1–2.11
Chapter III: Petition Practice and Pleading
Rules 3.1–3.15
Chapter IV: Format and Service of Legal Paper by Parties and Court; Electronic Filing
Rules 4.1–4.7
Chapter V: Rules Governing Specific Types of Petitions
Rules 5.1–5.50.
Chapter VI: [Reserved]
Rules 6.1–6.12
Chapter VII: Rules Relating to Pre-hearing and Hearing Procedure
Rules 7.1–7.4
Chapter VIII: Reconsideration
Rules 8.1–8.2
Chapter IX: Auditors and Hearing Officers
Rules 9.1–9.8
Chapter X: Register of Wills
Rules 10.1–10.7
Chapter XI: [Reserved]
Rules 11.1–11.2
Chapter XII: [Reserved]
Rule 12.15
Chapter XIV: Guardianships of Incapacitated Persons
Rules 14.5–14.14
Chapter XV: Adoptions
Rules 15.1–15.24
Chapter XVI: Proceedings Pursuant to Section 3206 of the Abortion Control Act
Rules 16.1–16.12
Chapter XVII: [Reserved]
Rule 17