A new Pennsylvania law ensures that when someone passes away without a will or family heirs, their estate will have a meaningful impact on the community they called home.

Act 50 of 2025, which took effect January 2026, updates the Commonwealth’s intestate succession laws to direct certain estates with no will and no eligible heirs to a community grantmaking fund at the local community foundation. The change transforms assets that might otherwise remain unclaimed into a lasting community legacy.

In Lackawanna County, these funds will support charitable grantmaking through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, strengthening local nonprofits and helping address emerging needs throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“This new law is a powerful example of how thoughtful public policy can create real, lasting impact at the local level,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “When someone passes away without a will and without family to inherit, they can still leave something meaningful behind for the community they were part of.”

The legislation was championed by the Registers of Wills & Clerks of Orphans’ Court Association of Pennsylvania, which plays a critical role in administering estates across the Commonwealth.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation also emphasizes that the best way to ensure your wishes are honored is to create or update a will.

“Even a simple plan can make things easier for the people you love,” Ducceschi added. “This law addresses rare situations where there is no will and no family to inherit, but we encourage everyone to take steps to document their wishes and consider the legacy they want to leave.”

Funds received through Act 50 will be added to a community grantmaking fund held by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, supporting charitable efforts that serve residents now and for generations to come.

To learn more about estate planning resources or charitable giving options, visit SAFDN.org or contact Brad Reid, Philanthropy Manager at brad@safdn.org.