Wills, Trusts and Probate

Nobody likes to talk about death, or what should be done with their property if they should die, but experience has taught us that organizing for paying your expenses, and arranging the disposition of your assets (an “Estate Plan”) is in the best interests of those you love. They are, after all, grieving for their loss. The stress and complication brought on by an incomplete estate plan only adds to their difficulties.

One of the best gifts you can give, is to leave certainty about asset distributions; uncertainty leads to conflict among family members, which no one intends but many accomplish by inattention, avoidance, or misinformation. We can help with that. 

We can also help with Probate. Probate is the process after a death, of determining the assets and liabilities of the decedent, and ensuring that the Will is “allowed” by the Probate Court as quickly and painlessly as possible. Many people do not understand that Probate is generally necessary if any assets (real estate, personal property, investment or bank accounts) are owned by the decedent in his/her own name at the time of death. Obviously they can no longer transfer or sell the asset, or write a check, so Probate is the process by which the heirs are notified, and a judge officially appoints a Personal Representative, who can then engage in transactions on behalf of the Estate of the decedent. We can help expedite this process, and walk you through the steps in an orderly manner. It will not be as daunting as it might seem.

If you are appointed Personal Representative, it is not expected that you know how to do this, and you don’t have to. That’s why we are here.