Probate of Estates Legal Services
Administration of an estate is the most complex legal process that many people will encounter.
Why is this?
- The amount of information gathering, attention to detail and “number crunching” can be overwhelming.
- The intricacies of the Probate Court can be frightening.
- The length of the process can be discouraging.
How and when does one start?
- Start at once. Sadly, the days immediately before and after the funeral provide the best opportunities to gather some of the critical details.
- Get as many death certificates as the funeral home will allow, as soon as the funeral home will give them to you.
- Locate the Will. While a copy will be helpful, the Probate Court requires the original document.
- Get the exact names and addresses (and phone numbers and social security numbers, if possible) for anyone who might be an heir. Accuracy and detail is important.
What about the attorney?
- You do not have to choose the attorney who wrote the Will.
- Choose your attorney with great care.
- Choose an attorney you feel comfortable with and can work closely with.
- Choose an attorney who gives attention to detail, and who has considerable experience in the Probate Court.
- Involve the attorney at the earliest possible time – even if you do not yet have much of the needed information about the estate.