If you are looking for an attorney in Cecil Township, PA, Kostrub Law Firm’s office is here in Washington County. Daniel Kostrub handles oil and gas and mineral rights matters. Heather Kostrub handles wills, trusts and estates. This page covers our office details, the county offices you may need, and what local landowners and families should know.
What happens after you call: our office asks a few questions, checks for conflicts of interest, and sets a time for you to meet with Dan or Heather.
Our office
Kostrub Law Firm, PLLC
Pittsburgh and Cecil Township, PA
Phone: (304) 982-1586
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Meetings by appointment
Our firm has served clients in this area since 2006.
Washington County offices you may need
Many local legal matters run through county offices in the city of Washington, the county seat. Knowing which office does what can save you a trip.
- Washington County Courthouse — 1 South Main Street, Washington, PA 15301 The Court of Common Pleas sits here, including the Orphans’ Court Division, which oversees estates, trusts and guardianships.
- Register of Wills — located at the Washington County Courthouse This office accepts wills for probate. Probate is the court process that confirms a will is valid and gives the executor legal authority to act. The Register issues “letters testamentary” (when there is a will) or “letters of administration” (when there is not), which let the personal representative manage the estate.
- Recorder of Deeds — This office keeps deeds, mortgages, oil and gas leases, assignments and other recorded documents. Recorded leases and deeds are the starting point for any mineral title review. Many records can be searched online
Our attorneys work with these offices regularly, so in most matters you will not need to visit them yourself.
Gas development and what it means for local landowners
Washington County sits in the Marcellus Shale region, and it has seen a great deal of natural gas development since the late 2000s. Well pads, gathering lines and pipeline rights-of-way are a familiar sight in many townships here, including Cecil.
That history means many residents own, lease or have inherited mineral interests. A mineral interest is ownership of the oil and gas under land, which can be separated from ownership of the surface. Common situations we hear about include:
- A new lease offer or an extension request. Older leases may be near the end of their term, and companies may ask owners to extend or amend them. Learn what to look for before you sign in our gas lease review guide.
- Inherited minerals with unclear title. A grandparent may have reserved the gas rights decades ago. Today those rights may be split among many heirs. Our page on owning and selling mineral rights explains how ownership is traced.
- A division order in the mail. Before paying royalties, the operator sends a division order, a document that states your decimal share of production. It should be checked against your lease and title. See how division orders work.
- Royalty checks that seem low. Pennsylvania law requires operators to give royalty owners certain information on each payment statement (58 P.S. § 35.1–35.2). If you can’t follow your statement, our page on royalty payment concerns explains your options.
- Surface activity on your land. Roads, pads and pipelines usually involve a separate agreement. Read about surface use and pipeline agreements.
You can look up nearby wells on the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s oil and gas mapping tools Those maps show well locations and permits. They do not show who owns the minerals; that requires a title review of county records.
For a full overview, see our oil and gas services.
Planning ahead for land and family
Mineral rights and family land pass to the next generation by will, trust, or Pennsylvania’s intestate rules (20 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21), which apply when someone dies without a will. Without a plan, an interest can split among many relatives, and each may need to sign papers before payments resume.
Heather Kostrub helps families plan for this. Start with our estate planning services, or learn how a will works in Pennsylvania. If a loved one has died, see settling an estate through probate.
Driving directions
All routes are general guidance.
- From Canonsburg: Head west from town on local roads toward Cecil Township The drive is short.
- From McDonald: Head east toward Cecil Township
- From Venetia (Peters Township): Head west toward Canonsburg, then continue into Cecil Township
- From Hickory: Take PA-50 East toward Cecil Township
- From I-79: Use the Canonsburg / Cecil Township area exits and follow local roads to Pittsburgh and Cecil Township, PA.
Coming from Allegheny County? See how we work with Pittsburgh-area clients.
Who you will work with
If you need a lawyer in the Canonsburg, PA area, you will work directly with one of our two attorneys:
- Daniel B. Kostrub — oil and gas leases, mineral rights, title opinions, division orders and royalties.
- Heather N. Kostrub — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate and family succession planning.
Talk with a Cecil Township attorney
Whether you live in Canonsburg, McDonald or here in Cecil, you can meet with a Washington County attorney close to home. Please call first so we can set aside time for you.
Schedule a consultation · Call (304) 982-1586
After you call: we ask a few questions, check for conflicts, and book a time with Dan or Heather.
We also serve Canonsburg, Peters Township, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon and other nearby towns. See all communities we serve.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.