If a loved one has passed away and you are named in their will or believe you are entitled to a portion of their estate, hire our Orange, CA probate lawyer at The Katje Law Group. Our firm will guide you through the probate process and inform you of your rights. Several factors go into executing a will, such as the legality of the document, the relationship between family members, and how large the estate is. Get representation in probate court by retaining our probate lawyer today.
What A Probate Lawyer Does
Our probate lawyer helps beneficiaries and executors of wills through the process of probate after the creator of the will has passed away. We have over twenty years of combined experience in estate planning law and can offer a full review of the will to outline what you can expect during the probate process. Other duties our probate lawyer can help with are:
- Collecting and appraising assets
- Filing a life insurance claim and managing that payout
- Paying off any of the creator’s outstanding bills like debt and estate taxes
- Preparing documents and filing with the court
When you are grieving the loss of a loved one, it’s hard enough without dealing with a complicated estate plan on your own. Let our Orange probate lawyer help you through the process as easily and quickly as possible. In addition, probate court can take years to complete, especially if the will is contested or unclear. Our firm will let you know what your options are when it comes to maintaining properties in the will and managing potential inheritance funds.
Benefits Of Working With A Probate Lawyer
Every state has a different probate process, so finding a knowledgeable local lawyer is essential to expediting the execution of the will. Our attorney will walk you through every step of probate and offer suggestions to shorten the time it takes to complete. Other benefits of working with our will lawyer include:
- We act as a buffer between you and your family members, especially if there are disagreements about the will
- Protecting your rights and best interests in probate
- Strategizing how to pay off the creator’s existing debt if the estate does not have enough money to cover outstanding bills
- Ensure the right distributions and property are given to the correct person
- Discover issues immediately and be proactive in seeking resolution.
Regardless of how the will was drafted, it is up to the probate court to determine its validity. If the will was written by a will lawyer, there shouldn’t be an issue following its instructions. However, when loved ones create wills on their own, whether handwritten or through an online template, they may not be legally binding. If you find yourself in this situation, get the advice of our probate lawyer before taking any further action.
In most cases, the estate pays for the probate lawyer. Attorney fees are taken out of the overall inheritance amount, so all beneficiaries are equally impacted. That also means beneficiaries are not usually responsible for our fees unless the creator of the will did not have enough money when they passed.
The Katje Law Group will help you overcome the many obstacles that probate may put into your path. Our dedicated and compassionate Orange probate lawyer is only a phone call away. Schedule a meeting at our firm to get a better understanding of the probate process and help interpret wills and estates. Without legal representation, you may prolong receiving your inheritance or be vulnerable to contests from disgruntled family members. With our team on your side, you can trust that someone is standing up for you and protecting your best interests.