Probate and Estate Administration
Losing a loved one can be emotionally and physically draining. Settling their estate, and potentially contending with a probate, can make a difficult time almost unmanageable. Our team at Orchard Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to assist you in settling the estate of your loved one, walking you through every step of the probate or administration process, and resolving any disputes and issues that may arise. Not only do we have the expertise you need to navigate this complex responsibility, we also have a true passion for client care and try to make this process a painless and streamlined as possible.
Probate
Probate is, simply stated, the court-supervised process of settling and distributing an estate after someone passes away. The probate process is easier with a well-designed Last Will and Testament or Revocable Living Trust that that outlines a person’s wishes for the settlement of their assets and property. The process can move smoothly and quickly, or can take years to complete. In many cases, who you hire to represent you is the deciding factor between these scenarios.
Hiring Orchard Law Firm means you will have:
- A team familiar with the Probate process
- Someone who can contact creditors, distribute assets and help with a variety of administrative tasks
- Assistance with conflicts ranging from a family member contesting a Will, to concerns about a Personal Representative/Executor
- Assistance in organizing and distributing complicated and/or large estates
- An expert in filing and drafting legal documents with the court
Having a team that is experienced and truly cares about your unique case is essential to your peace of mind during this difficult time. Hire a team you can trust to take care of you and guide you through this process. Call us today for a free consultation.
Estate Administration
Living Trusts are designed to avoid the probate process, but even without a court-supervised probate, there are numerous steps that must be completed before the estate of your loved one is settled and distributed. Since Trusts often have very complex and strict terms, having our experienced team that understands those terms and responsibilities can make the administration process run more smoothly and efficiently.
As administrator of a Trust, duties can include:
- Collecting and organizing estate assets
- Assessing the value of the assets within the Trust
- Paying debts of the estate
- Tax considerations of the estate
- Keeping detailed and accurate records of assets and distributions
- Communication with beneficiaries to provide information and distributions and timelines
- Collecting and filing legal documents as required
- Collaborating with other professionals in regards to real estate, automobiles or other assets
- Mediation between beneficiaries, if needed … and more.
Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss the probate process or estate administration for your loved one at (612) 293-3840.