Estate Planning Attorney

After a loved one has passed away, their estate will likely have to go through probate. It’s a legal process in which a will is proven valid in court and has a long reputation of being costly, long and stressful. However, you can take steps to make the process less burdensome.

Here are some tips for making the probate process less stressful.

Understand Your Role

Before probate begins, it’s important to know your role in the process. For example, if you were named the executor of the estate, you should understand that you have a lot of responsibilities ahead of you, including filing paperwork, locating and distributing assets and paying debts. If you don’t think you can fulfill the responsibility anymore, you should consider having the court appoint someone else.

Have Realistic Expectations

While it would be ideal to get your inheritance right away and move on with your life, it isn’t realistic. It’s important to accept that the process may take at least a year to complete. Although waiting so long can be frustrating, preparing yourself for it can make things a little easier.

Notify Creditors Immediately

Creditors can come looking for any debts they’re owed after someone dies. This can slow down the probate process. To speed things up, notify the creditors as soon as possible about the death.

Don’t Miss Deadlines

After a person dies and leaves their estate, you will have to file several documents. It’s important to meet these deadlines to avoid additional court appearances, money and stress. 

Hire a Probate Lawyer

The probate process can be overwhelming and complex for the average person. That’s why it’s in your best interest to hire an experienced probate lawyer to assist you with the process. A skilled lawyer, for example, can help you avoid personal liability by preventing you from making errors when paying creditors, giving notices and distributing assets. He or she can also help minimize disputes in the estate and get the estate probated in a quicker manner.

If you’re responsible for administering an estate, you should schedule a consultation with a skilled probate lawyer today. During the initial consultation, he or she will thoroughly assess the estate and help it get moving in the right direction. Probate is an important legal matter, so it’s crucial to have someone with knowledge and experience on your side. You’ll feel much better about the situation when you have a confident probate lawyer assisting you.