Estate Administration and Probate
Losing a loved one can be difficult, especially if you are responsible for administering the deceased’s estate. This can involve probating a Will, administering a trust, or securing your rights to an inheritance. The Dean Law Firm has extensive experience in all aspects of estate administration and can help guide you through this process.
We can administer the estate on your behalf or serve as a guiding hand to ensure that your role as an estate fiduciary is carried out smoothly and in compliance with the law.
How It Works
If you are looking to ease the process of estate administration and probate, contact us today to learn more.
Here are some of the basic steps involved in Administering an Estate:
Typically, a Will or Trust can be located among the decedent’s personal effects or important documents within their primary residence. Sometimes, they are filed with the probate clerk of the County of the decedent’s primary residence for safekeeping. If you cannot locate the original Will or Trust, contact the deceased’s attorney for guidance.
This includes family members, friends, creditors, and any other individuals or organizations listed in the will as beneficiaries or recipients of assets.
This includes the will, death certificate, bank statements, insurance policies, and any other pertinent information.
Not all estates need to be probated, depending on the nature of the assets held by the deceased. If you have questions on whether the Will must be probated, please contact us and we will be happy to help! If probate is required, you must contact the Probate Clerk within the
Circuit Court of the County the decedent resided in, and make a qualification appointment.
Creditors typically have a specific time frame in which they must file a claim against the estate.
This includes liquidating any assets that must be sold to pay off debts or distribute funds among beneficiaries.
This info is then used to submit regular reports to the probate court. The executor must also make sure that all taxes are paid and that the estate is in compliance with all state and federal laws.
The estate is officially closed, and the executor is discharged from their duties.
File a final accounting with the commissioner of accounts, and estate tax return if needed.
To Keep In Mind
We are here to help you navigate through the complex estate administration process or protect your rights as an estate beneficiary.
