Probate & Trust Administration

Our experienced attorneys will assist you in navigating the challenges and confusing process of qualifying for probate and distributing the estate assets to the beneficiaries.  Relevant attorneys will assist you with handling the entire process, from handling qualification, submitting appropriate documents, opening bank accounts, and obtaining a separate tax identification number, to determining how the assets of the estate should be distributed to beneficiaries.

Get assistance with:

• Obtaining a Qualification of Executor (under a Will) or Administrator (if there is no Will)
• Opening appropriate Bank Accounts and Obtaining a TIN from the IRS
• Serving and Publishing required Notices
• Assisting with Inventory, Title, and Deeds
• Managing Taxes and Expenses
• Identifying and Collecting Assets
• Avoid Probate, Save Time and Money
• Distributing Estate Assets to Beneficiaries

What is Probate?

Probate is a judicial process where a deceased individual’s estate is administered and distributed. If there is a Will, then the Will is admitted by the person who is named in the Will. This person is known as the Executor, and it is their duty to administer the decedents estate. If there is No Will, then the process is the same except that an Administrator is appointed by the Court and is issued by the Court a "Certificate of Qualification" or also sometimes referred to as “letters Testamentary” or “Letters of Administration”.

Your Duties Under Probate

Overall, the duty of the Executor or Administrator is to identify and collect the assets (personal assets, real estate, financial accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance, etc.) of the decedent, identify any of their liabilities, review and pay appropriate creditor claims (typically claims arising prior to the decedent’s death), prepare, file and pay any taxes (typically federal and/or state estate taxes, federal income tax returns (decedent’s final return-IRS Form 1040) and estate income tax returns (IRS Form 1041), pay expenses of administration and finally distribute the net remaining assets, and file appropriate accounts with the Commissioner of Accounts.