Probate & Estate Administration
If you find yourself with the responsibility of picking up the pieces after a death, we want to support you. We can guide you through the legal processes surrounding death and unburden you so you can focus on your grief and healing - not complicated legal procedures.
Getting Started with the Basics
What is probate?
Simply put, probate is the process by which the government oversees the legal transfer of property from a deceased person's estate to new owners through the paying of debts and the redistribution of assets.
What is an estate?
You can think of an estate as an imaginary box where all your assets and liabilities are placed automatically upon your death. Assets that have a legal transfer mechanism already in place do not become part of the estate.
Who is responsible for a probate?
A Personal Representative ("executor") is appointed by the court to administer an estate. The Personal Representative is usually named in the deceased's Will, but one will be appointed whether or not there is a Will.
When is probate required?
Probate is required if an estate's value exceeds $75,000, or if the deceased owned real estate of any value. Transfer-on-death mechanisms like joint ownership or beneficiaries can keep assets out of an estate.
Probate: What to Expect
The 6 Steps of Probate
How long will it take?
It depends. The simplest of estates should expect to take 4-6 months, but the more property and the more people looking to benefit, the longer it will take.
How much will it cost?
Many times, attorney's fees are a lot of the cost, so the more support you need, the higher the cost. It is safe to expect the total cost to be at least $4,000-$8,000.
How is the work billed?
Generally, Probate & Estate Administration Support is billed at an hourly rate. We also offer a flexible retainer for clients who want to simplify billing.
Common Questions