Despite the distinctive honor of being chosen by a loved one to carry out their last wishes for the distribution of their estate, it can be a daunting prospect when the time comes to fulfill the probate portion of this duty.
As an estate administrator for a deceased loved one, you have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of the estate and heirs. This can quickly become challenging due to the complex rules and requirements of probate and estate administration in Upper Uwchlan.
Contact Pennsylvania probate attorney Michaelangelo L. Dippolito at ThePeoplesLawFirm.com today to avoid taking on this legal endeavor alone.
Why Choose Us as Your Estate & Probate Law Firm?
For over 26 years, ThePeoplesLawFirm.com has been dedicated to assisting families through the legal entanglements of probate and estate administration in Pennsylvania.
By hiring an estate administration and probate attorney in Upper Uwchlan, you have the following advantages:
- Legal counsel and guidance throughout every stage of probate
- Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring all paperwork, filings, and legal requirements are met
- An estate and probate attorney dedicated to crafting an efficient strategy to accomplish probate and estate administration as smoothly and promptly as possible
ThePeoplesLawFirm.com offers a free phone consultation so you can learn more about estate administration and probate, and how an Upper Uwchlan estate administration and probate lawyer can help facilitate the process.
Who Can Be the Administrator of an Estate After a Death In the Family?
Sometimes, family members conflict over estate management after a death, but only the person the decedent named in their will as a personal representative becomes the probate administrator responsible for overseeing the execution of the will’s directives.
On the other hand, if an individual dies without a will, a spouse, parent, adult child, or other responsible family member may ask the probate court to appoint them as the estate administrator.
An estate administrator is a fiduciary, meaning they must act in the best interests of the estate.
What Is Involved In the Probate Process In Upper Uwchlan?
Probate is the process that allows an orderly distribution of property to beneficiaries after a death. In Pennsylvania, all estates that include real estate property and/or have a value of $50,000 or more must go through the full probate process.
The probate process is as follows:
- The estate administrator files the will with the Will Register Office in the decedent’s county of residence
- They file a petition to open probate with the probate court in the same county
- After receiving authorization, they notify the beneficiaries of the probate case
- Pennsylvania also requires the administrator to notify creditors, tax agencies, and the general public (notifying the public through a newspaper or online news forum alerts creditors to come forward)
- After compiling a list of assets and debts, the administrator is responsible for first facilitating the payment of debts and taxes through the estate and then distributing the remainder of the assets to the appropriate beneficiaries
When the decedent’s wishes are expressed in a will, the estate administrator must honor the written bequests. If there is no will, the state’s intestacy laws for inheritance determine the correct beneficiary.
Call ThePeoplesLawFirm.com for an Upper Uwchlan Estate Administration and Probate Attorney
Making an error or oversight can cause delays and conflicts, prolonging the probate process.
A serious financial mistake could leave you financially responsible. Instead of taking on the stress of a challenging legal process alone, contact Michaelangelo L. Dippolito for experienced legal counsel throughout each step of the process by ThePeoplesLawFirm.com.
