Kostrub Law Firm is a two-attorney law firm serving Pittsburgh and Allegheny County from our office in Cecil Township, just south of the county line in Washington County. Heather Kostrub helps Pittsburgh-area families with wills, trusts and estates. Dan Kostrub helps people who own land or gas rights in Washington County and nearby counties, wherever they live now.
What happens after you call: we ask a few questions, check for conflicts of interest, and set up a meeting by phone, video or at our office.
How Pittsburgh-area clients work with us
You do not need to live in Washington County to hire us. Many clients live in Pittsburgh neighborhoods or in the South Hills and only visit our office when they must.
- First conversation by phone or video. Most first meetings can happen without a drive.
- Documents by secure email or mail. We review leases, deeds, old wills and statements before we meet, so your time with us is focused.
- Signings in person. Some documents must be signed with witnesses and a notary. A Pennsylvania power of attorney, for example, must be signed, dated, witnessed by two people and notarized (20 Pa.C.S. § 5601). We schedule those at our Cecil Township office.
Allegheny County offices for wills and estates
If a loved one lived in Allegheny County when they died, the estate is usually opened in Allegheny County, even if they owned property elsewhere. These are the offices involved:
- Allegheny County Register of Wills — City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. This office accepts wills for probate and issues the letters that give an executor or administrator authority to act. Probate is the court process that confirms a will is valid and puts someone in charge of the estate.
- Orphans’ Court Division, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas —. This court handles contested estates, trust questions, guardianships and other disputes about a person’s estate. Despite the name, most of its work has nothing to do with orphans.
- Allegheny County Department of Real Estate —. This is where Allegheny County deeds and mortgages are recorded.
After letters are granted, Pennsylvania law requires the personal representative to advertise the estate (20 Pa.C.S. § 3162) and to send notice to beneficiaries within three months (Pa. O.C. Rule 10.5). Our page on the probate process walks through each step.
When a Pittsburgh estate includes Washington County land or gas rights
This is one of the most common ways Pittsburgh families end up working with both of our attorneys.
Many people who grew up in Washington County moved to the city but kept the family farm, or kept the gas rights under it. When they die, the estate is opened in Allegheny County where they lived. But the land and mineral records stay with the Washington County Recorder of Deeds, and the gas company that pays royalties will want proof of who the new owners are.
That can mean:
- Recording estate documents or a new deed in Washington County.
- Sending the operator letters from the Register of Wills and a death certificate so payments can move to the heirs.
- Signing new division orders, the forms that confirm each owner’s share before royalties are paid.
- Paying Pennsylvania inheritance tax on the value of the mineral interest. Rates depend on who inherits, such as 4.5% for children and grandchildren and 12% for siblings (72 P.S. § 9101 et seq.).
Heather can guide the estate side while Dan reviews title and the payment paperwork. If you are planning ahead, Heather can help you choose a will or trust that keeps family mineral rights from splitting among many heirs. For the energy side, see our oil and gas services and how we handle mineral rights questions.
Pittsburgh-area communities we serve
Our office is a short drive from the South Hills and the I-79 corridor. We regularly work with clients from:
- Bridgeville — just north of the Washington County line along I-79.
- South Fayette — the township next to Cecil Township across the county line.
- Bethel Park — South Hills families planning wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
- Upper St. Clair — families updating older estate plans or settling a parent’s estate.
- Pittsburgh — city residents, especially those with family land or gas rights in Washington County.
Driving from downtown Pittsburgh
From downtown, take I-376 West through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, then follow I-79 South toward Washington. Exit for the Canonsburg / Cecil Township area and follow local roads to Pittsburgh and Cecil Township, PA. Drive time is usually outside rush hour.
From the South Hills (Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair), many clients take local roads west toward I-79 South. From Bridgeville, I-79 South is the most direct route.
For parking, hours and the full office details, see our Cecil Township office page.
Who you will work with
- Heather N. Kostrub — estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney and probate. Start with our estate planning services.
- Daniel B. Kostrub — oil and gas leases, mineral rights, title opinions and royalties.
Talk with an Allegheny County attorney close to home
If you need a Pittsburgh estate and oil and gas lawyer who works on both sides of the county line, we would be glad to hear from you.
Schedule a consultation · Call (304) 982-1586
After you call: we check for conflicts and set up a phone, video or office meeting with Heather or Dan.
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.