What Is Probate
Probate is the legal process of settling an estate, which includes verifying a will, paying debts, and distributing assets. It can take months or even years, causing unnecessary stress and costs for your family. Even with a will, probate is required, making additional estate planning tools essential.
Estate planning ensures your assets are handled smoothly after you pass away, but without a plan, your loved ones may face probate—a lengthy and complex court process.
The duration of a probate court procedure might range from months to perhaps years. That's probably the last thing you want your loved ones to go through just after your passing. And if you don't have a plan, your family may have to deal with potentially disastrous consequences beyond only the financial and emotional toll on them.
Best Reasons to Avoid Probate
- Time-Consuming – Probate can take months or even years, delaying asset distribution.
- Expensive – Legal fees and court costs can reduce the estate’s value.
- Lack of Privacy – Probate records are public, exposing your estate details.
- Family Disputes – Heirs may contest wills, leading to prolonged legal battles.
- Creditor Claims – Creditors can file claims, diminishing inheritance amounts.
How to Simplify the Process
Proper estate planning can minimize or even avoid probate. Our firm offers tools like:
- Trusts to bypass probate and maintain privacy.
- Powers of attorney to protect you if incapacitated.
- Strategic asset planning to reduce estate taxes and legal fees.
Probating an Estate or Administrating a Trust
As an executor or trustee, you’ll need to follow some rules—like sorting out who gets what based on the asset type, ownership, and value. You might also deal with creditors or legal hiccups. Our friendly probate lawyers are here to guide you through it all, keeping things simple and stress-free.
Here’s how we can help
- Keep you safe from liability with beneficiaries or creditors
- Handle wills and trusts in probate court (or skip it when possible!)
- Wrap up estates or trusts with family agreements or court steps
- Plan ahead to avoid probate hassles
- Make sure assets go where they’re supposed to
Trusts can get tricky—like when a couple’s joint trust splits into sub-trusts (think Survivor’s Trust or Bypass Trust) for tax perks or to protect assets. It’s easy to trip up without realizing it, but we’ll help you:
- Understand what the law expects
- Nail your trustee duties
- Get all the paperwork done right
Life is unpredictable, but a well-prepared estate plan ensures your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected. Let us help you create a plan that brings peace of mind and financial security.