Probate

Probate is the court-supervised transfer of property from a deceased person to his or her heirs.  The probate process requires court filings, publication of notices, and heir notification.  We do our best to expedite the probate process.

Some steps of probate include:

  • Personal Representative / Executor Appointment
  • Admission of Will to Probate
  • Notice Publication
  • Heir Notification
  • Asset Gathering
  • Claim / Creditor Payment
  • Property Distribution
  • Activity / Financial Accounting
  • Estate Tax Return Filing
  • Small Estate Affidavit Filing (an abbreviated probate process for small estates)

Although Probate has received a bad name, it does accomplish some very important functions.  First, it is there to ensure that the debts of the person are paid; second, it cuts off the claims of creditors.  Creditors that are unknown by the end of the probate process are unable to collect on their debt.  This serves an important public purpose of finality and faith that the property that is received from the estate is free of claims down the road. Finally, probate serves the purpose of distributing a person’s assets according to their will.