Probate and Estate Administration

Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s financial, tax, property, and personal affairs. Even when a person has a will or a smaller estate, the probate process is still typically required to legally change title to a person’s assets, pay necessary taxes, resolve any outstanding debt they may have had, and catalog and distribute property.

The process can be complicated and time-consuming, and the assistance of quality legal representation can take the burden from loved ones left behind so they can grieve and focus on other, more important things. Common and simple mistakes can create additional expense and delay in the probate process, and can even result in penalties or loss of assets.

There are deadlines, countless complicated forms, and requirements that may be unfamiliar or confusing to someone who may only go through the process once in their life, but that our attorneys deal with every day. If you have been appointed the Executor, Administrator, or Trustee for a loved one’s estate, we advise you and walk with you through the Probate process.

Every estate is different, and the involvement of our attorneys in each part of the process will vary according to an estate’s needs. From the simple to the complex, we can assist you with an overview of the system and procedures, as well as your duties as Executor or Trustee. We can assist with gathering the necessary information regarding the assets, liabilities, and debts of the deceased, reviewing the estate planning documents and plans for distribution to beneficiaries, completing and filing the necessary paperwork with the Clerk of Court, preparing tax forms, and selling or distributing the assets of the estate as needed. We can structure our level of involvement according to the needs of each estate, and can handle the process completely from start to finish or simply be available to answer your questions when they arise.

If you have been appointed an Executor or Trustee, contact our team to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help during this challenging time.