Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 779 (2026)

  Nonsuits.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 779.  Nonsuits.

(a)  In general.--The orphans' court division may enter a nonsuit under the same circumstances, subject to review in the same manner and with the same effect as in an action at law.

(b)  Will contest.--A nonsuit may be entered against a contestant in a will contest whenever the contestant has the burden of overcoming the presumption of validity arising from due proof of execution as required by law and the contestant has failed to satisfy that burden.

(c)  Other cases.--In any other case a nonsuit may be entered against a party where the disposition of the case depends on an issue on which that party has the burden of proof and has failed to satisfy that burden.

(Dec. 10, 1974, P.L.867, No.293, eff. imd.)

 

1974 Amendment.  Act 293 added section 779.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2016–2026 · leading case: Est. of Alston, D., Appeal of: Pompeya, Y. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026).
In Re: Koeberlein, E., Appeal of: Koeberlein, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 779(a). “[A] nonsuit may be entered against a party where the disposition of the case depends on an issue on which that party has the burden of proof and has failed to satisfy that burden.”
In the Est. of: Stevenson, T., III (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 779(a), (c). A motion for compulsory non-suit .”
Est. of Alston, D., Appeal of: Pompeya, Y. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2026). “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 779. 8 Entry of a judgment of non pros would provide Pompeya the ability to file a petition to strike and/or open the judgment of non pros, something she had been foreclosed from doing in this matter’s current posture given the unclear nature of the court’s…”
— 20 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 779(a) — 2 cases
In Re: Koeberlein, E., Appeal of: Koeberlein, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “” 20 Pa.C.S. § 779(a). “[A] nonsuit may be entered against a party where the disposition of the case depends on an issue on which that party has the burden of proof and has failed to satisfy that burden.”
In the Est. of: Stevenson, T., III (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “See 20 Pa.C.S. § 779(a), (c). A motion for compulsory non-suit .”
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