Monroe County Register of Wills Kate Best, with assistance from the Veterans Affairs office and the county commissioners, announced a new program, the Veteran Probate Waiver Program, that is starting in 2025.

The Register of Wills office will now waive up to $150 of county fees toward the opening of a qualified veteran’s estate.

“This is our way to help make the difficult time after a loved one has passed a bit easier and remind all Monroe County veterans and their families how thankful we are for their service,” Best said. “I come from a family of veterans and know just how much they sacrifice for their country. Continuing to expand and add programs to assist veterans and their families is the least we can do.”

Any individual looking to open an estate for a veteran can complete an easy application in the Register of Wills office. That application will be verified by the Veterans Affairs office and then returned to the register so the office can start the probate process with the reduced fee.

The Veterans Affairs office provides general veteran benefit services to all veterans of all time periods and their respective dependents. The staff can help explain available programs, assist in obtaining necessary substantive evidence/documents and to file with the respective adjudication department at the regional office. All services are free of charge.

The Register of Wills office provides various services to the public such as the probate (opening) of decedent estates, collection of inheritance taxes and maintenance of records pertaining to estates.

More information about the new program is available by contacting the Register of Wills office at 570-517-3347 or the Veterans Affairs office at 570-517-3187.