What is a Probate Attorney and What Can They Do For You?

Most people have never heard of a probate attorney, but this is the lawyer that will help you when a loved one dies and you need someone to go through the person's will. Although you may think that the will is easy to understand, the lawyer will help to make sure that all of the person's property is accounted for. The lawyer will make sure that the bills are paid and that the person's last desires are met.

If you have the will, and you do not know where to turn, you should ask a probate attorney for advice. The lawyer will assist you in filing necessary paperwork. This is important because your jurisdiction possibly has laws that restrict when the paper must be filed. You want to make sure that the paperwork is completed correctly, and a lawyer will see to that.

Your lawyer will also be there to assist you of the case is more complicated than you thought, and you need assistance. If there are surprises during the proceedings, the lawyer will make sure that the deceased wishes are met. The lawyer should have a solid understanding of a wide range of laws that may be helpful in court. For example, they should know about various laws that govern different businesses and properties. They should also have a good understanding of international laws, because your loved one may have finances and property abroad.

The lawyer will be available to you during proceedings and be of assistance if you are the person who has been named to administer the estate. The lawyer may advise you to ask for additional financial guidance from an accountant. If you have been named as the personal representative for the deceased, it is your job to find the heirs and locate the person's valuables. You may also be asked to file the person's final tax return and make sure that any money, including taxes, has been paid as required to creditors. Most people understand that the personal representative makes sure that the heirs and charitable organizations receive assets that the person has requested in the will.

If you hire a probate attorney, you will have someone to help you if you must defend the estate against a fraudulent claim. If you feel that a claim for a part of the estate is not within the scope of the deceased desires, a lawyer can help you file the appropriate paperwork and battle any lawsuits that may arise. If you have been named as the personal representative to an estate, or if you want to contest the contents of a will, you should consider contacting a lawyer right away. The lawyer will consult with you and give you some options that could help you in your position. If you need someone to explain the process to you, a lawyer can give you an honest explanation of the steps that are taken after a person dies to make sure that his or her desires are kept and other issues are handled legally.