The Orphans' Court has jurisdiction over estates, which often involve giving control over another person's property. The Orphans' Court may receive filings in a decedent's estate, an incapacitated person's estate or a minor's estate. A decedent's estate may have distribution or inheritance issues to settle.
Many of those cases are brought before the judge for audit by filing an accounting with the court to ensure all financial duties were properly met. A guardianship case puts a third party in charge of a living person and/or their property. Any time a minor is due money, whether through inheritance or settlement, their estate can be processed through the Orphans' Court.
Audit
An Accounting is filed. An Audit date is assigned based on when the accounting was filed. On the day of Audit, the Attorney presents a Petition for Adjudication and Appearance. All filings are presented to the Judge who will review the matter and issue the Adjudication of the Estate or set a hearing if needed to resolve any issues.