Expert Report

There are all sorts of forms executors, beneficiaries, and probate court clerks have to fill out and correspond with during probate and estate settlement, including affidavits, letters, petitions, summons, orders, and notices.

Expert Report is a commonly used form within Pennsylvania. Here’s an overview of what the form is and means, including a breakdown of the situations when (or why) you may need to use it:

Atticus Fast Facts About Expert Report

Sometimes it’s tough to find a quick summary— here’s the important details you should know about Expert Report:

• This form pertains to the State of Pennsylvania

Government forms are not typically updated often, though when they are, it often happens rather quietly. While Atticus works hard to keep this information about Pennsylvania’s Form G-06 - Expert Report up to date, certain details can change from time-to-time with little or no communication.

Step 1 - Download the correct Pennsylvania form based on the name and ID if applicable

Double check that you have both the correct form name and the correct form ID. Some Pennsylvania probate forms can look remarkably similar, so it’s best to double, even triple-check that you’re using the right one! Keep in mind that not all States have a standardized Form ID system for their probate forms.

Step 2 - Complete the Document

Fill out all relevant fields in Form G-06, take a break, and then review. Probate and estate settlement processes in PA are long enough to begin with, and making a silly error can push your timeline even farther back. No thank you!

Note: If you don’t currently know all of the answers and are accessing Form G-06 online, be sure to avoid closing the browser tab and potentially losing all your progress (or use a platform like Atticus to help avoid making mistakes).

Step 3 - Have Form G-06 witnessed or notarized (if required)

Some States and situations require particular forms to be notarized. If you have been instructed to get the document notarized or see it in writing on the document, then make sure to hire a local notary. There are max notary fees in the United States that are defined and set by local law. Take a look at our full guide to notary fees to make sure you aren’t overpaying or getting ripped off.

Step 4 - Submit Expert Report to the relevant office

This is most often the local probate court where the decedent (person who passed away) is domiciled (permanently resides) or the institution involved with this particular form (e.g. a bank). Some offices allow you to submit forms online, other’s don’t, and we while we generally recommend going in-person to expedite the process, sometimes that simply isn’t an option.

It’s also a generally good idea to establish a positive working relationship with any probate clerk (unfortunately there’s enough people & process out there making things more difficult and unnecessarily confusing for them), so a best practice is to simply ask the probate clerk proactively exactly how and where they’d prefer you to submit all forms.

Need help getting in touch with a local probate court or identifying a domicile probate jurisdiction?

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Different probate forms or processes can require different deadlines or response times for completing the appropriate form.

While some steps in the process are bound to specific deadlines (like petitioning for probate, having to submit an inventory of assets, or filing applicable notices to creditors and beneficiaries), many probate forms or processes are not tied to a specific deadline since the scope of work can vary based on situational factors or requirements involved.

Either way, there are a bunch of practical reasons why personal representatives should work to complete each step as thoroughly and quickly as possible when completing probate in Pennsylvania.

5 reasons you should submit G-06 as quickly as possible:

1. The sooner you begin, the faster Pennsylvania can allow heirs and beneficiaries to get their share of assets subject to probate. Acting promptly can also decrease the costs & overall mental fatigue through an otherwise burdensome process.
   
   Helpful Context: What’s the Difference Between Probate and Non-Probate Assets?

2. In general, creditors of an estate usually have around 3-6 months from the time you file notice to creditors to file any claims for debt against the deceased’s assets. If they don’t, then that debt is forfeited (and more importantly, the executor won’t be held personally responsible). So doing this sooner means you have a better idea of who is owed what and ensures you won’t get a surprise collector months later.

3. Not filing a will within 30 days (on average) could mean that the probate process proceeds according to intestate laws (laws that govern what happens to someone's stuff without a will) or is subject to unnecessary supervision by the probate court. And if you aren't directly related to the deceased (a.k.a. next of kin), this could also mean you lose your inheritance.

4. It’s important to file any necessary state tax returns on behalf of the deceased or estate by the following tax season in Pennsylvania. If you don’t, you could owe penalties and interest. This also includes any necessary federal tax returns such as Forms 1040, 1041, or even a Form 706 estate tax return.

5. If a house in the State of Pennsylvania is left empty (or abandoned) for a while, insurance can get dicey. For example, if the house burns down and no one has been there for a year, an insurance company may get out of paying your claim.

If you’re not using Atticus to get specific forms, deadlines, and timelines for Pennsylvania probate, then try and stay as organized as possible, pay close attention to the dates mentioned in any correspondence you have with the State’s government officials, call the local Pennsylvania probate clerk or court for exact answers regarding Form G-06, and when in doubt— consult a qualified trust & estates lawyer for that area.

Expert Report is one of the many probate court forms available for download through Atticus.

It may also be available through some Pennsylvania probate court sites, such as . In order to access the latest version, be updated with any revisions, and get full instructions on how to complete each form, check out the Atticus Probate & Estate Settlement software or consider hiring a qualified legal expert locally within Pennsylvania.

While Atticus automatically provides the latest forms, be sure to choose the correct version of Form G-06 - Expert Report f using any other site or resource in order to avoid having to re-complete the form process and/or make another trip to the Pennsylvania probate court office.

Expert Report is a .pdf, so opening it should be as simple as clicking “View Form” from within the Atticus app or by clicking the appropriate link found on any Pennsylvania-provided government platform. Once you’ve opened the form, you should be able to directly edit the form before saving or printing.

Here’s the text, verbatim, that is found on Pennsylvania Form G-06 - Expert Report. You can use this to get an idea of the context of the form and what type of information is needed.

Form G-06 Effective June 1, 2019 INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING AN EXPERT REPORT To establish incapacity, the petitioner must present testimony from an individual qualified by training and experience in evaluating persons with incapacities of the type alleged by the petitioner. As an accommodation to such expert witnesses, the court may accept a complete and legible expert report in accordance with the attached form in lieu of expert testimony, whether in person or by deposition, unless otherwise required by rule or order of court. Form G-06 Effective June 1, 2019 COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF ________________________ COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA ORPHANS’ COURT DIVISION EXPERT REPORT RE: _______________________________________________________________________ An Alleged Incapacitated Person (AIP) No. ____________________ PART I: PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND (You may attach your curriculum vitae, if it provides an- swers to Questions 1 through 5. Please answer those questions not covered by curriculum vitae.) 1. Name: _______________________________________ Title: _______________________________ 2. Professional Address: ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Complete education information: 4.Do you have any active professional licenses?  Yes  No If yes, indicate in what state or states you are licensed as well as the date(s) issued. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ List any board certifications: ______________________________________________________________ 5. An Incapacitated Person is legally defined as: An adult whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively and communicate decisions in any way is impaired to such a significant extent that he/she is partially or totally unable to manage his/her financial resources or to meet essential requirements for his/ her physical health and safety. Do you have experience evaluating whether or not an individual is incapacitated?  Yes  No If yes, indicate the basis of your experience: ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ Name of Institution Type of Degree Received Date Completed Undergraduate Graduate Post-Graduate p. 1 of 5 Form G-06 Effective June 1, 2019 PART II: ALLEGED INCAPACITATED PERSON (AIP) 6. a. Have you treated, assessed, or evaluated the AIP? YesNo b. Indicate the date(s) and location of any treatment, assessment, or evaluation you have provided or made over the last two (2) years: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ c. If 6a. is yes, what tests have you or others administered, e.g., mini mental status exam (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), St. Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS), etc.? List dates administered and the score. (Attach test results, not just the score.) ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 7. What is the present condition of the AIP? List all known medical and psychiatric diagnoses and current symptoms. (You may attach a list from your records.) Diagnosis Symptoms/Manifestations 8. List all known medications, including over-the-counter, that the AIP is taking. For each known medication, indicate, if known, the prescribing physician and the diagnosis for which the medication was prescribed or the reason for taking. (You may attach a list from your records.) Medication Diagnosis/Reason Taken Prescribing Physician p. 2 of 5 Form G-06 Effective June 1, 2019 9. Indicate the AIP’s ability to perform the following functions: Unimpaired Needs Some Help (Explain in #10 ) Totally Impaired Not Assessed or Not Enough Information Receiving and evaluating information effectively Communicating decisions Ability to give informed consent Short-term memory Long-term memory Activities of daily living Managing finances (including paying bills, making deposits, withdrawals and working with financial institutions) Managing health care (including following doctor’s orders and managing/taking medications) Responding to emergency situations Ability to resist scams Providing for physical safety 10. For any response in Question 9 where the AIP “needs some help,” please describe the type and extent of assistance needed. ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ 11. What recommendations have you made or would you make concerning services necessary to meet the essential requirements for the AIP’s physical health and safety? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ p. 3 of 5 Form G-06 Effective June 1, 2019 12. What recommendations have you made or would you make concerning management of the AIP’s finances? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ 13. As indicated in Question 5, an Incapacitated Person is legally defined as: An adult whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively and communicate decisions in any way is impaired to such a significant extent that he/she is partially or totally unable to manage his/her financial resources or to meet essential requirements for his/her physical health and safety. In your expert opinion, within a reasonable degree of professional certainty and based on your knowledge, skills, experience, and education, is the AIP incapacitated? Yes, totally impairedYes, partially impairedNo 14. In your opinion, the most appropriate, least restrictive living situation for the AIP is (check one): The AIP can be left alone without supervision Home ( with part-time home health aide or 24/7 assistance) Independent living facility (room and board provided, emergency services readily available) Assisted living facility (room and board provided, assistance with some activities of daily living) Secure facility (Alzheimer’s/Mental Health for safety and basic needs) Skilled nursing facility 15. If your responses in Question 9 indicated that the AIP is totally impaired or “needs some help”, do you expect the AIP’s abilities in the next 6 months to (Check best estimate): Stay the same  Improve  Decline Please explain: ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ PART III: GUARDIANSHIP AND SERVICES 16. Are you aware of any circumstances, medical or otherwise, that create a need for the appointment of an emergency guardian for the AIP? Yes  No If yes, indicate reasons: ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ p. 4 of 5 Form G-06 Effective June 1, 2019 18. Please provide any additional information that could assist the court in determining incapacity. _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ I verify that the foregoing information is correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief; and that this verification is subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904 relative to unsworn falsification to authorities. ______________________________ __________________________________________________ Date Signature __________________________________________________ Name (type or print) __________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________ City, State, Zip __________________________________________________ Telephone __________________________________________________ Email 17. The AIP is required to be at the hearing, absent circumstances that could cause harm to the AIP. Putting aside whether the court proceeding may be moderately upsetting to, confusing to or not understood by the AIP, do you believe that the AIP’s presence at the hearing would cause harm to the AIP’s physical or mental condition? YesNo Indicate reason for response: _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ p. 5 of 5