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Will Contest Deadline in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, a party in interest may challenge the probate of a will by appealing from the register's decree within 1 year, and a no-contest clause is unenforceable if there was probable cause for the contest.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Pennsylvania at a glance

Deadline to contest
1 year
On petition of a party in interest, the court may shorten the appeal period to 3 months.
Clock starts
Register of wills' decree admitting the will
No-contest clauses enforced
Yes, unless probable cause existed

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Pennsylvania

How long do you have to contest a will in Pennsylvania?

Deadline to contest in Pennsylvania: 1 year. On petition of a party in interest, the court may shorten the appeal period to 3 months.

When does the deadline to contest a will start in Pennsylvania?

Clock starts in Pennsylvania: Register of wills' decree admitting the will.

Are no-contest clauses in wills enforceable in Pennsylvania?

Yes, unless probable cause existed. No-contest clauses enforced in Pennsylvania: yes, unless probable cause existed.

Where do the Pennsylvania will contest deadlines come from?

The rules above come from 20 Pa.C.S. 908 and 20 Pa.C.S. 2521. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines for will contests are often short and strictly applied. Knowing exactly which event starts the clock in the state where the will is probated, such as the date of admission, the date notice was mailed, or the date of publication, matters as much as knowing the length of the period.

Only people with a legal stake in the estate can usually contest a will, such as heirs who would inherit without the will or beneficiaries named in an earlier will. A contest also needs a recognized legal ground. Being disappointed with the amount left to you is generally not enough on its own.

A no-contest clause (also called an in terrorem clause) says a beneficiary who challenges the will loses their gift. Whether such a clause is enforced, and whether there is an exception for challenges brought with probable cause or in good faith, depends on state law. Anyone weighing a challenge, and anyone drafting a will, can check the state statute and may want to talk to a probate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.