Section 201.8. Register of wills

(a) General rule. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the functions and duties of register of wills under the Probate, Estates and Fiduciaries Code (20 Pa.C.S.) are performed by the Register of Wills of the county elected as provided by statute.

(b) Home rule counties. Under Article IX of the Constitution of Pennsylvania the elected office of Register of Wills may be abolished. The following unofficial summary of local law is provided for the general information of the public and system and related personnel and shall not be construed as an authoritative interpretation of any provision of law:

(1) Erie County. Section 1 of Article IV of the charter provides for an elected Clerk of Records, who has and exercises all powers and duties conferred by law upon the Register of Wills.

(2) Northampton County. Article III of the charter provides for an elected County Executive. Section 1303 of the charter abolishes the elected office of Register of Wills effective the first Monday of January 1980. Section 1304(b)(3) of the charter transfers the duties, functions and powers of such office to the County Executive or to his subordinate as provided by law. Article X of the County Administrative Code provides that the Department of Court Services will perform all functions formerly performed by the Register of Wills.

The provisions of this § 201.8 adopted September 19, 1979, effective September 29, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 3304.