Do You Need to Hire a Probate Lawyer?

Do you need to hire a probate lawyer if someone has recently passed away in your family and you were left to handle their affairs? Read on to find out more.

A probate lawyer is not someone you must hire to handle the estate of a person who has passed on but having such a lawyer can make dealing with complicated issues involved in probate that much easier. Oh the problems that you can run into if you do not know all of the ins and outs of handling probate! There are so many issues involved that once you start working through an estate you may decide that hiring a probate attorney is the wisest course of action to take.

There is no state in the country that requires you to hire a probate lawyer. However probate is not a small thing nor is it simple, especially for those who have never dealt with such complicated matters in the past. Calling in a professional is highly recommended! If you are the one in charge of the estate of a deceased person then you are personally responsible to make sure that everything is taken care of. If something is not done correctly then you are liable for the error(s).

The last thing you want is to have any of your beneficiaries angry at you because you did not send out copies of forms soon enough or because you did not follow the correct steps. One mistake and it can feel as though a house of domino’s is falling down around you. This is the last thing you want to have to cope with at a time when stress is already high because a family member has passed away. A probate lawyer is trained to do this kind of work and knows what to expect when it comes to probate proceedings. This is one expense that can offer you peace of mind as well as offering it to the beneficiaries as well!

There are instances when an estate is very basic and straightforward. If the instructions on what to do are known to you and if you are aware of what forms need to be filled out and what copies need to be sent to what people then you might experience no problems whatsoever in making your way through the probate system. In this case seeking assistance from a probate lawyer may not be necessary. On the other hand if an estate is extensive or if unexpected complications arise then you may find that you have gotten in over your head and that the services of a probate attorney are very much required.

Some of the most frequent complications that arise during the process of probate include tax issues such as a question of whether past taxes are still owing or not or a dispute over unfinished contracts, debts or what property in a will is community property and what property is not. There are cases where a great deal or money or property is willed to a minor and a guardian must therefore be appointed. A probate attorney would know all about how to do this while the average person would not have a clue.