Estate and probate administration is the process by which the Probate Court determines the following:

  • Validity of wills, trusts, and other instruments
  • Appointment of executors, personal administrators or representatives
  • Oversees the distribution of the assets in the decedent’s estate
  • Legal will contests and estate disputes
  • Appointment of guardians for incapacitated persons

If you have a matter concerning a loved one who has died or who has become incapacitated, our firm will handle the legal aspects of their estate, property and/or wellbeing with compassion and diligence.

Estate and probate administration is a major area of our practice and we are dedicated to helping our clients navigate through this process. We recognize that our clients come to us needing a legal solution to an emotional and sensitive situation.

The administration of a loved one’s estate can be difficult. At times, heirs may disagree over the interpretation of estate documents. When those estate documents are unclear, combined with poor family communication and/or the misappropriation of property, litigation can arise. Even minor family conflicts can result in emotionally charged estate litigation.

Therefore, our goal is to provide our straightforward legal advice while never losing sight of the emotional component.

Our staff assists the personal representative of your loved one’s estate in gathering, valuing, accounting for and distributing their assets in accordance with their will or the law of intestate succession. As counsel for the personal representative, our responsibility is to ensure that all steps are properly taken in order to carry out the decedent’s intent, in accordance with law.

The following are some helpful things to remember as you begin this process:

  • If your loved one had a will or trust, find it and secure it
  • Assemble bills, bank and/or investment account statements
  • Secure a death certificate
  • Do not try to pay any bills or disburse any funds belonging to the deceased

Download our free Estate Probate Questionnaire

For free information you should consider before hiring an attorney, please call us at 317-983-0817.