PREFACE

Although we are assuming a new identity, our Philadelphia roots run deep. We proudly succeed to a long-standing tradition of publishing "Forms for Use Before the Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Division in Philadelphia," combined for the first time with the "Register of Wills of Philadelphia County Manual." Better known as the "Green Book" and "Blue Book" respectively, they constitute the 2002 edition of the "Philadelphia Estate Practitioner Handbook," a comprehensive compendium of forms and narrative to assist fiduciary lawyers in the Philadelphia area with whom we interact on a daily basis. An update of the Red Book, formally titled "Practice and Procedure in the Office of Register of Wills and Orphans' Court Division in Philadelphia," will complete the triad of practice aids for inclusion in the Philadelphia Estate Practitioner Handbook at a future date.

It is our hope that the Handbook will immeasurably assist both the newly admitted and seasoned attorney alike by helping avoid missteps that cost time, money and valuable client relationships. The revisions not only incorporate changes due to the adoption of new statutes and rules, but guide lawyers in the use of technology and internet access to court forms and rules.

It is with a deep measure of esteem for our relationship with the Probate and Trust Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Judges of the Orphans' Court of Philadelphia that we sponsor this publication.