An Act amending Title 20 (Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in dispositions independent of letters, family exemption, probate of wills and grant of letters, providing for small estate primary residence affidavit.

HB 2172 simplifies transferring a decedent's primary residence in small estates by allowing a "small estate primary residence affidavit" process. It directly affects surviving spouses, descendants, or ascendants of someone who died owning a primary residence valued at $150,000 or less, without requiring full probate. The bill establishes a county-based process where a sworn affidavit (with income verification below 120% of federal poverty guidelines to waive fees) can transfer the home, bypassing court-appointed administrators. The law expires seven years after implementation and includes a requirement for the Local Government Commission to study its effectiveness after five years.