Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a deceased person (decedent), paying the decedent’s debts, and distributing the decedent’s assets to their beneficiaries. In general, the decedent’s assets pay the probate proceeding’s cost, the decedent’s funeral expenses, then the decedent’s outstanding debts. The remainder is distributed to the decedent’s beneficiaries.
Probate can be a stressful and confusing process. When assets are in only the name of the deceased and they did not leave a will or a trust, all assets like bank accounts, 401ks, insurance policies, annuities, real estate and other property must be accounted for and distributed through the probate process. In cases when the deceased leaves a will, the courts will still have to supervise the asset distribution and creditor resolution.
Our experienced probate attorneys can help ensure your loved one’s estate is administered with ease, care and compassion. We can assist you in interpreting any documents left behind and direct you in carrying out the deceased’s instructions in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
A personal representative or executor should engage a qualified attorney to assist in the administration of the decedent’s probate estate. Many legal issues can arise even in the simplest probate estate administration and most can be unfamiliar to personal representatives and executors.
Marks Gray also assists families when a loved one is no longer able to handle financial and legal matters. Our team presents and explains all the options and alternatives. When legal guardianship is the best option available, our guardianship attorneys will guide you through the court requirements to establish and administer the guardianship.
“The future of your family is important, and we’re here to help.” – Marks Gray Attorney Janice Richardson.
