When someone passes away, their assets must go through the probate process before the estate can be dispersed. This involves figuring out what property they have, paying off any creditors and finally distributing the final assets to heirs or beneficiaries. It’s a long and complicated process that requires huge amounts of paperwork and even court hearings. That’s where a probate attorney can help. They have expertise and knowledge of the entire probate process to help make it easier for families to sort through it.
Skilled Probate attorneys are useful for a variety of reasons, including helping executors make sure they do everything they need to in order to avoid being held liable in the event of any mistakes. They can also help real estate agents get a clear answer on whether it’s legal to list a home or other piece of real estate that is still in the probate process. They can also provide insight on whether an estate qualifies for streamlined procedures that would speed up the process and make it more manageable.
Another thing that probate attorneys do is work with anyone who disputes a will or claims against the estate. For example, if one of the deceased’s children from a previous relationship believes that they didn’t receive their fair share, a probate attorney can help resolve that issue and represent the estate in court if necessary. They can also assist with other disputes that might arise during the probate process, like if there is a question about whether a will was signed under duress or undue influence.
A probate attorney can also help with the actual process of distributing assets to beneficiaries, as well as filing tax returns and completing other forms of estate administration. They can also manage bank accounts, collect proceeds from life insurance policies and pay any estate or inheritance taxes that are due. They can also make sure that a complete inventory of all estate property is kept and that all bills are paid before closing the probate estate. You may check out https://www.chicagoprobateattorneys.net/our-attorney/ to find out the qualifications of our attorneys.
There are many more things that a probate lawyer can do, but the above points are just a few examples of why it’s important to have one. If you’re interested in finding out more about how a probate attorney can help, contact us for a free in-person or virtual consultation. We can discuss your specific situation and help you decide what is the best course of action for you and your family.