The probate process is exacting and complex, yet the duty to oversee probate and other legal aspects of estate administration falls into the hands of a family member who typically has no legal background.
When a person has a will or estate plan drafted, they name a personal representative whom they trust to manage their estate after they die. Often, this is a spouse, parent, adult child, or sibling.
If you’ve been named the personal representative of a loved one, it’s time to fulfill those commitments once the loved one passes away. Instead of doing this alone, reach out a Pennsylvania probate lawyer at ThePeoplesLawFirm.com for experienced legal guidance throughout the process.
Why Choose Us as Your Willistown Estate Administration & Probate Law Firm?
Facing the prospect of a challenging legal process while you are still grieving is often distressing. Fortunately, you don’t have to face it on your own.
Instead, ThePeoplesLawFirm.com offers the following advantages in your probate process:
- An attorney with over 26 years of experience in probate law in Pennsylvania
- A commitment to open communication throughout the process, so you are included in the process without bearing the full burden of challenging legalities
- A personalized strategy that prioritizes the estate and heirs, meeting fiduciary responsibility, while effectively and efficiently managing probate
- A free telephone consultation so you can learn how an attorney can help in your unique case
Your loved one trusted you to carry out their wishes. Now, you can trust an experienced lawyer to prioritize your loved one’s estate and be a steadfast ally at your side.
What To Expect From the Probate and Estate Administration Process In Willistown, PA
After a loved one passes away, it takes time to grieve and focus on the initial actions, such as planning and carrying out the funeral and burial. If you were named as the loved one’s personal representative, you are the one tasked with initiating and fulfilling the probate process. This involves taking significant legal actions.
Fortunately, an experienced estate lawyer can help you do the following:
- Advise you on the documents you’ll require, such as the will, any life insurance policies, and certified copies of the death certificate
- Assist in filing the will and death certificate with the county’s Will Register
- File a petition for probate with the county probate court (sometimes called Orphans’ Court)
- Obtain letters of authorization from the probate court granting the authority to manage estate administration
- Notify all beneficiaries, known creditors, and the tax authorities of the open probate period
- Notify the public through the newspaper or online news forum in order to alert any additional creditors to come forward before the one-year time limit
- Conduct a complete inventory and assessment of the estate, including all assets, debts, and tax obligations
- Oversee the payment of debts and taxes according to directions in the will, sometimes requiring the sale of one or more assets
- Distribute the remaining assets to beneficiaries according to bequests in the will or estate plan
Specific types of assets may not require probate, such as funds in bank accounts with transfer on death (TOD) designations, life insurance benefits, and assets held in a living trust.
Contact ThePeoplesLawFirm.com to Learn How a Probate Attorney Can Help
No one should have to undertake a challenging legal process without the guidance of an attorney experienced in this unique area of Pennsylvania law.
Contact Michaelangelo L. Dippolito to learn how an estate lawyer can assist you throughout the estate administration and probate process in Willistown.
