Republican Jean Papay, the current register of wills/clerk of orphans’ court, has announced that she will be seeking a second term.

Papay said, “It is a distinct honor to serve the people of Carbon County, and I will continue to be a good steward of the taxpayers’ money.”

The register of wills collects money and commission on the state’s inheritance tax. The commission is then turned over to the county’s general fund. While in office (2018-2020), Papay’s office has collected a total of $11,985,961 and has remitted the commission collected, for a total of $112,400.41 to the county. In addition, the office also collects county fees that are submitted to Carbon County General Fund. During the same duration her office has remitted a total of $323,189.72 to the county.

Recently, Papay’s office had an audit completed by the Pennsylvania State Auditor General’s Office.

The audit was conducted for the time frame in which she has been the office holder.

The findings of the audit yielded that Papay was in compliance with the state laws and regulations that are applicable to the collection of money on behalf of the commonwealth.

Papay attributes the success of her office to the dedication, professionalism and compassion of her staff: Barbara Miller, first deputy; Hannah Robels, second deputy; and Elizabeth Dodson; who was hired as the genealogy and marriage license clerk following the retirement of longtime employee Kathie Paul.

The register of wills and clerk of orphan’s court’s primary responsibilities include the probate of estates, collection of inheritance taxes as an agent of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the maintenance of all records of probate proceedings, including the docket for orphan’s court, and the application for and granting of marriage licenses.

As a result of work completed in the office and the nature of the records that are stored in the office, they are also a resource for genealogists. Additionally, the office handles matters related to guardianship, adoptions and genealogy research.

Papay, a Palmerton resident, is the mother of three and has been married to her husband, Scott, for 30 years.