You need a probate attorney, and you need one fast
Handling the estate after the death of a family member or close friend can be an emotionally draining process. One of the first and perhaps the most important things that you have to deal with is the probate process. Probate is the legal process that takes place after someone dies in order to determine how his or her assets are to be distributed.
Hiring a probate attorney can really help when it comes to navigating the probate process during this difficult time and can make the difference between an easy probate vs. a long, drawn-out process. Retaining the services of a probate attorney can help you to avoid making costly mistakes when navigating the California probate laws and procedures which can be complicated.
You’ll need the services of a probate attorney who can take the time to answer all of your questions. An experienced probate attorney can get you through the process more quickly, help deal with any issues that should arise such as filing court documents and setting a court date, if necessary, sending notices to beneficiaries, or making sure that any tax obligations are handled properly.
A good probate attorney should:
- Be sympathetic to your needs and loss
- Be able to explain the probate process in detail
- Be available to answer questions
- Be forthcoming with all information
- Be objective throughout the process
Whether you need a probate attorney next month, next week, or the next day, the Law Office of David W. Foley, California Living Trusts, can provide you with expert counsel to help you get through the entire probate process.
What you need
The probate process will go more smoothly if you’re organized and prepared with respect to the required paperwork. If you’ve been named as the executor of a will, you’ll need to bring the following documents to the first meeting with your attorney:
- Copies of the death certificate of the deceased
- Last will and testament and any codicils
- Bank statements as well as any other financial statements
- A list of assets belonging to the deceased
- A list of names and addresses as well as any other contact information for the beneficiaries
The more information and documentation that you can provide at the outset, the more streamlined the probate process.
Talk to someone today
Even if you’re the executor of a simple will which leaves property to a family member(s), there are legal steps that are required in order to distribute these assets. Probate can take some time which can make handling family dynamics very difficult. Frequent family communication regarding the probate process and timeline is very important in order to avoid or diffuse any issues that arise from settling the estate.
The San Diego Law Firm of David W. Foley, attorney for Probate Court in California, can provide objective advice and counsel which can help to diffuse potential conflicts among family members during the probate process.
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