to file via GIS at no cost but have a filing fee associated with paper filings. Counties may charge a higher fee for paper filings due to the requirement that all paper filed guardianship reports must be manually entered into GTS by the clerk of the orphans' court office.
Any filing fees charged by the county can be paid using a credit or debit card during the report filing process. If the county charges a filing fee when using GTS, there is a $2.75 service fee added to handle the payment processing by US Bank. The total amount of the filing fee and service fee will be collected by GTS prior to filing the report. For example, if the county charges a $10.00 GTS filing fee, then upon checkout, the final charge will be $12.75 ($10.00 filing fee + $2.75 service fee). There is no service fee if the county does not charge a GTS filing fee.
If the cost of the filing fee would create a burden on the estate, as guardian you may request to have the filing fee waived by the court. Contact the clerk of the orphans' court office in the county in which the guardianship is filed to discuss how to request a filing fee waiver.
Help and guidance – When completing a report online through GTS, help icons or additional text appear next to select questions on the electronic versions of the reports to provide clarity or give examples of what should be included. If you attempt to submit an incomplete report, GTS will not let you file and will provide guidance on what is missing.
Online quick reference guides, training manuals, and training videos on how to use GTS are available online through the GTS Help System. You can reach the GTS Help System by clicking the Help icon found on the GTS Dashboard.
You may also call the GTS Help Desk at 1-877-227-2672, Option 1, anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to speak to a Help Desk representative who will address your questions about using GTS. You may also reach the Help Desk via email at GTSAOPC@PACourts.us. The GTS Help Desk is unable to provide legal assistance or take payments over the phone.
Automatic financial calculations – For guardians of the estate, the annual report captures various financial details, including a list of assets owned by the IP, annual income, and annual expenses. GTS will automatically calculate the totals for you by section and copy the information to the appropriate sections of the report.
If you file your Annual Report of Guardian of the Estate using GTS, select financial information, such as the list of assets owned by the IP and unspent income, will automatically pre-fill on future reports. The information pre-filled should be reviewed by you and updated if anything has changed.
Access to previously filed reports – GTS will allow you to view any Inventory or annual reports filed on your case (since 2019) by any current or past guardian. You will have the ability to review, download, or print the previously filed reports.