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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3159 (2026)

 Letters of administration D.B.N. or D.B.N.C.T.A.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 3159.  Letters of administration D.B.N. or D.B.N.C.T.A.

When an entire vacancy occurs in the office of personal representative before administration is completed, the register, in a case of intestacy, shall grant letters of administration de bonis non, and in the case of testacy, letters de bonis non cum testamento annexo, to the person or persons entitled thereto.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2011–2025 · leading case: Fulton v. Fulton, 106 A.3d 127 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014).
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Fulton v. Fulton, 106 A.3d 127 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). “20 Pa.C.S. § 3159. [2] 2. Decedent’s children are Earnest, Marvin, who is deceased, Brent, Karen, and twins, Donald and Ronald.”
In re Est. of Bechtel, 92 A.3d 833 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014). “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3159. . Although the Account is captioned as "Account of Donald R.”
Dorsey v. Redman, 22 A.3d 274 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2011). “See also Section 3159 of the PEF Code, 20 Pa.C.S. § 3159 (providing in part that when a "vacancy occurs in the office of personal representative before administration is completed, the register, in a case of intestacy, shall grant letters of administration de bonis non”).”
Smolsky, R. v. Totaro, S. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 3159. -2- J-S95019-16 their residual shares to purchase the Forest Lane property, stating that he would need written confirmation from them confirming that they would relinquish their shares.”
In Re: Est. of J.M., Appeal of: D. Shannon (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025). “3 See 20 Pa.C.S. § 3159 (“When an entire vacancy occurs in the office of personal representative before administration is completed, the register, in a case of intestacy, shall grant letters of administration de bonis non, and in the case of testacy, letters de bonis non cum…”
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