Rule 3.1 Petitions Generally

If you want to bring a matter before the Orphans' Court, you generally need to file a written petition with the clerk. This petition has to follow the format and requirements laid out in the court rules.

If your matter involves a petition for adjudication or a statement of proposed distribution, different rules apply. These are covered under Chapter II of the rules, not this section.

In practice, most questions about how an estate or trust is being handled come up when someone files an official Account. This applies whether the case involves a deceased person's estate, a minor's estate, or a guardianship. Beyond filing an Account, you can also start a case by filing a petition, but that petition must be signed and verified under oath, confirming that the information in it is true.