Being named the administrator of a loved one’s estate is an honor, reflecting the family member’s trust that you are the person who will best ensure their wishes are carried out after they pass away.
While you are certainly aware of the emotional aspects of this duty, facing the legal obligations of being the probate administrator for a loved one’s estate often feels like a daunting task, especially if you are new to estate law in Pennsylvania.
If you’ve been named an estate administrator for a deceased family member, contact the Chester County probate lawyers at ThePeoplesLawFirm.com for experienced legal guidance throughout the probate process.
Why Selecting a Chester County Estate Administration Lawyer at ThePeoplesLawFirm.com May Be the Right Choice
Probate is one of the few legal processes that suddenly falls into the hands of a person who has never worked in the court system; yet, the administrator may be held personally liable for errors.
For this reason, hiring attorney Michaelangelo L. Dippolito, a published author with decades of experience in estate law, provides significant advantages, including the following:
- Over 26 years of experience behind your probate case to provide a streamlined, efficient process
- A minimized risk of errors, oversights, or conflicts arising that can delay the probate process
- A well-earned reputation of respect within the legal community and satisfied clients, giving you confidence when you need it most
- A law firm with a commitment to compassionate legal guidance and a dedication to professional excellence allows you to better serve your family and your lost loved one
Your Chester County estate administration attorney from ThePeoplesLawFirm.com will personalize a strategy for the most efficient probate administration process based on the unique circumstances of your loved one’s estate.
What Does Estate Administration Involve In Chester County, Pennsylvania?
Probate is the court’s procedure for the orderly distribution of a deceased individual’s (the decedent’s) assets according to their expressed wishes after the estate meets financial obligations, such as debts and taxes.
The executor or personal representative named in a will becomes the estate administrator after the principal’s death. When a decedent does not leave a will, the court appoints a close family member as the probate administrator, and the distribution of any remaining assets follows the state’s intestacy laws for inheritance.
The probate administrator must first file the will with the Chester County Register of Wills and present the death certificate. A Chester County will attorney can help with the process of filing a will.
Next, they file a petition with the Chester County Probate court to open a probate case for the estate. Then, the probate portion of estate administration proceeds as follows:
- The estate administrator notifies the beneficiaries named in the will, creditors, tax agencies, and the public (through a newspaper notice) of the probate initiation
- They conduct an inventory of the estate’s holdings and pay any debts and all tax obligations, sometimes requiring the sale of property
- The estate administrator must periodically inform the probate court of the status of the estate, including the sale of any property
After meeting all financial obligations, the administrator oversees the distribution of the remaining assets to the named beneficiaries.
Call ThePeoplesLawFirm.com Today for Legal Counsel Throughout the Estate Administration Process In Chester County
The estate administration process requires meticulous attention to detail and careful navigation by a Chester County estate administration lawyer to avoid errors that could leave the probate administrator personally responsible to beneficiaries, creditors, or the IRS.
Instead of taking on a daunting legal procedure alone, contact Michaelangelo L. Dippolito at ThePeoplesLawFirm.com for guidance throughout the probate process, leaving you free to focus on helping your family through the emotional consequences of the loss while your estate administration attorney in Chester County navigates the legal consequences.
