What did the Supreme Court decide?

The Court quashed (dismissed) the notice of appeal because the appealed order was not eligible for direct appeal to the Supreme Court under the applicable statute and rule.

Who is affected by this decision?

The parties to the case—Paula Grapes (as executrix) and Linda J. Grapes—are affected because the attempted direct appeal will not proceed in the Supreme Court.

What are the legal grounds for quashing the appeal?

The Court relied on 42 Pa.C.S. § 722 and Pa.R.A.P. 341, which limit which orders are final and can be appealed directly to the Supreme Court; the appealed order did not meet those criteria.

Can this decision be appealed further?

No further appeal from the Supreme Court's procedural order quashing a notice of appeal is generally not available; the appropriate next move would be to seek relief in the courts of common pleas or pursue appellate review in the proper intermediate appellate forum if available.

Grapes, P., Aplt. v. Grapes, L. v. Grapes, P.

Docket 4 WAP 2026

Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

CivilDismissed

Filed: Apr 21, 2026 · 1 week ago
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Type: Unanimous Opinion
Case type: Civil
Disposition: Dismissed
Docket: 4 WAP 2026

Direct appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (Notice of Appeal) from an order of the courts of common pleas.

Summary

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a per curiam order dated April 21, 2026, quashed a notice of appeal in a dispute between Paula Grapes (as executrix of an estate) and Linda J. Grapes. The Court concluded that the appealed order was not one of the types of final orders that may be appealed directly to the Supreme Court under 42 Pa.C.S. § 722 and the state appellate rules defining final orders. Because the appeal did not meet the statutory and rule-based criteria for direct review, the notice of appeal was dismissed.

Issues Decided

Whether the order below constituted a type of final order that may be appealed directly to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court under 42 Pa.C.S. § 722.
Whether the notice of appeal complied with Pa.R.A.P. 341's definition of a final order.

Court's Reasoning

The Court relied on the statutory list in 42 Pa.C.S. § 722 and Rule 341 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure, which together determine what orders are final and therefore appealable directly to the Supreme Court. Because the order at issue did not fall within the enumerated categories of final orders subject to direct appeal, the Court found that it lacked a proper basis to exercise direct appellate jurisdiction. This deficiency justified quashing the notice of appeal.

Authorities Cited

42 Pa.C.S. § 722
Pa.R.A.P. 341

Parties

Appellant: Paula Grapes as Executrix of the Estate of David B. Grapes
Appellee: Linda J. Grapes
Appellant: Paula Grapes

Key Dates

Decision date: 2026-04-21

What You Should Do Next

1
Assess proper appellate route
Determine whether the order can be appealed to the Superior or Commonwealth Court, or whether a reconsideration or refiled appeal in the correct forum is appropriate.
2
Consult appellate counsel
Consult an attorney experienced in Pennsylvania appellate procedure to evaluate whether the order is final for appellate purposes or whether additional proceedings in the trial court are required.
3
Consider motion procedures
If appropriate, consider filing a motion in the court of common pleas to clarify or enter a final, appealable order, or seek reconsideration or certification that the order is final under Rule 341.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Supreme Court decide?: The Court quashed (dismissed) the notice of appeal because the appealed order was not eligible for direct appeal to the Supreme Court under the applicable statute and rule.
Who is affected by this decision?: The parties to the case—Paula Grapes (as executrix) and Linda J. Grapes—are affected because the attempted direct appeal will not proceed in the Supreme Court.
What are the legal grounds for quashing the appeal?: The Court relied on 42 Pa.C.S. § 722 and Pa.R.A.P. 341, which limit which orders are final and can be appealed directly to the Supreme Court; the appealed order did not meet those criteria.
Can this decision be appealed further?: No further appeal from the Supreme Court's procedural order quashing a notice of appeal is generally not available; the appropriate next move would be to seek relief in the courts of common pleas or pursue appellate review in the proper intermediate appellate forum if available.

The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.

Full Filing Text

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
                               WESTERN DISTRICT


 PAULA GRAPES AS EXECUTRIX OF THE                   : No. 4 WAP 2026
 ESTATE OF DAVID B. GRAPES,                         :
                                                    :
                      Appellant                     :
                                                    :
                                                    :
               v.                                   :
                                                    :
                                                    :
 LINDA J. GRAPES,                                   :
                                                    :
                      Appellee                      :
                                                    :
                                                    :
               v.                                   :
                                                    :
                                                    :
 PAULA GRAPES,                                      :
                                                    :
                      Appellant                     :


                                         ORDER

PER CURIAM


       AND NOW, this 21st day of April, 2026, the Notice of Appeal is QUASHED. See

42 Pa.C.S. § 722 (delineating the type of final orders from the courts of common pleas

that may be appealed directly to this Court); Pa.R.A.P. 341(b) (defining final orders).