Pennsylvania · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Pennsylvania: get back what you're owed

Nine free guides for Pennsylvania, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Pennsylvania

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$12,000
Court
Magisterial District Court
Filing fee
$95–$228
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Pennsylvania

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
30 days
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent (with exceptions)
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
10 days
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Cities with their own rules: Philadelphia

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Pennsylvania

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Minimum wage (2026)
$7.25
Final paycheck if fired
Next payday
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Pennsylvania

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 mo / 12,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Pennsylvania

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Aug 1 most counties (Phila: early Oct)
Where you appeal first
County Board of Assessment Appeals (Philadelphia: Board of Revision of Taxes)
Median effective tax rate
1.30%
Median yearly tax on a home
$3,311

Closed for 2026Closed for 2027 annual appeals in most counties (August 1 or September 1; Philadelphia October 5, 2026). Interim changes can be appealed within 40 days of the notice. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Pennsylvania

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
See the rules
Homestead deadline
March 1
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
See the rules

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Pennsylvania

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Pennsylvania Unclaimed Property (Search and Claim PA)
Held by the state
Over $5 billion (February 2026)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Pennsylvania

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
6 months
Waiting period
See the guide
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Debt Collector Map

Debt collectors in Pennsylvania

A collector can sue you only for a limited time, and state law limits how much of your pay it can take after a judgment. You can dispute the debt in writing.

Time limit to sue on a debt
4 years
Wage garnishment limit
Not for most consumer debts
State license for collectors
No statewide license

Facts from Debt Collector Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Pennsylvania

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Pennsylvania
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract4 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement4 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit30 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent10 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedNext paydayWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 mo / 12,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineSee the guideLemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealAug 1 most counties (Phila: early Oct)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineMarch 1Exemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file6 monthsDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodSee the guideDivorce Law Map
Debt collectorsTime limit to sue on a debt4 yearsDebt Collector Map

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