The court shall have exclusive power to remove a personal representative when he:
(1) is wasting or mismanaging the estate, is or is likely to become insolvent, or has failed to perform any duty imposed by law; or
(2) (Deleted by amendment).
(3) has become incapacitated to discharge the duties of his office because of sickness or physical or mental incapacity and his incapacity is likely to continue to the injury of the estate; or
(4) has removed from the Commonwealth or has ceased to have a known place of residence therein, without furnishing such security or additional security as the court shall direct; or
(4.1) has been charged with voluntary manslaughter or homicide, except homicide by vehicle, as set forth in sections 3155 (relating to persons entitled) and 3156 (relating to persons not qualified), provided that the removal shall not occur on these grounds if the charge has been dismissed, withdrawn or terminated by a verdict of not guilty; or
(5) when, for any other reason, the interests of the estate are likely to be jeopardized by his continuance in office.
(Apr. 16, 1992, P.L.108, No.24, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.838, No.118, eff. 60 days)
2000 Amendment. Act 118 added par. (4.1).
1992 Amendment. See section 21 of Act 24 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability.
Cross References. Section 3182 is referred to in sections 5131, 5515 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 20 - DECEDENTS, ESTATES AND FIDUCIARIES
Section 3101 - Payments to family and funeral directors
Section 3102 - Settlement of small estates on petition
Section 3122 - Payment or delivery of exemption
Section 3123 - Payment from real estate
Section 3126 - Grantee or lienholder
Section 3131 - Place of probate
Section 3132 - Manner of probate
Section 3132.1 - Self-proved wills
Section 3133 - Limit of time for probate
Section 3134 - Nuncupative wills (Repealed)
Section 3135 - Wills in foreign language
Section 3136 - Wills probated outside the Commonwealth
Section 3137 - Enforcing production of will
Section 3138 - Later will or codicil
Section 3152 - When 21 years elapsed
Section 3153 - Contents of petition
Section 3154 - Affidavit and oath
Section 3155 - Persons entitled
Section 3156 - Persons not qualified
Section 3158 - Letters of administration C.T.A
Section 3159 - Letters of administration D.B.N. or D.B.N.C.T.A
Section 3160 - Letters of administration durante minoritate, durante absentia, and pendente lite
Section 3161 - Oath of personal representative
Section 3162 - Advertisement of grant of letters
Section 3163 - Submission to jurisdiction
Section 3171 - Individual estate
Section 3172 - Register's responsibility
Section 3173 - Fiduciary estate
Section 3174 - When not required
Section 3175 - Requiring or changing amount of bond
Section 3181 - Revocation of letters
Section 3182 - Grounds for removal
Section 3183 - Procedure for and effect of removal
Section 3184 - Discharge of personal representative and surety