The Pennsylvania Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters / Oath of Personal Representative is a legal document required by the state of Pennsylvania to begin the probate process. It is used to nominate an executor or administrator of the estate, and to request that the court grant the executor or administrator the authority to administer the estate. This document must be filed with the local Orphans’ Court and typically includes the decedent’s name, the date of death, the names of the heirs, the names of the executor or administrator, and the names of any creditors. There are three main types of Pennsylvania Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters / Oath of Personal Representative: Regular Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters; Small Estate Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters; and Decedent’s Estate Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters. The Regular Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters is used for estates that are larger, and requires the executor or administrator to be approved by the court. The Small Estate Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters is used for smaller estates, and does not require court approval. The Decedent’s Estate Petition for Probate and Grant of Letters is used for estates that have been left without a will, and requires the court to appoint an administrator to manage the estate.