Probate & Estate Administration

Probate is a judicial proceeding that passes a deceased person's property to his or her heirs or devisees. The probate process does require going to court but it does not have to be stressful or overly expensive. Contact us to discuss if probate is needed after a loved one has passed.

A Will does not cause or avoid probate. Instead, it is the roadmap to be followed. Whether or not probate is required involves reviewing the assets of an estate to determine if a court order is needed to pass that asset onto someone's heirs. 

If someone does not write their own Will, the law effectively creates one for them. State laws will determine who inherits property. This usually means property goes to spouses, children, parents, or siblings.

If possible, before coming in for a free probate consult, you should gather some important information:

• the decedent's Will;
• records of any real estate the decedent owned;
• records of any bank or investment accounts the decedent owned;
• contact information for the decedent's immediate family members and anyone named in the Will.

With this information we can determine if probate will be required and the best way to proceed with wrapping up an estate.