Probate Lawyers Near You
- Michigan
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- New Mexico,
- New York
- Probate
- Business Law
- Cannabis & Marijuana Law
- +14
- Communications & Internet Law
- Construction Law
- Entertainment & Sports Law
- Estate Planning
- Immigration Law
- Insurance Claims
- Intellectual Property
- Law Practice
- Products Liability
- Real Estate Law
- Securities Law
- Tax Law
- Trademarks
- White Collar Crime
- Probate
- Business Law
- Cannabis & Marijuana Law
- +14
- Communications & Internet Law
- Construction Law
- Entertainment & Sports Law
- Estate Planning
- Immigration Law
- Insurance Claims
- Intellectual Property
- Law Practice
- Products Liability
- Real Estate Law
- Securities Law
- Tax Law
- Trademarks
- White Collar Crime
- Florida
- Probate
- Business Law
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Business Law
- Estate Planning
- California
- Probate
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- +1
- Personal Injury
- Probate
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- +1
- Personal Injury
- California
- Probate
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Estate Planning
- Tennessee
- Probate
- Business Law
- Collections
- +6
- Employment Law
- Estate Planning
- Intellectual Property
- Landlord Tenant
- Real Estate Law
- Trademarks
- Probate
- Business Law
- Collections
- +6
- Employment Law
- Estate Planning
- Intellectual Property
- Landlord Tenant
- Real Estate Law
- Trademarks
- Texas
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- +1
- Law Practice
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- +1
- Law Practice
- Florida
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Ohio
- Probate
- Animal & Dog Law
- Appeals & Appellate
- +12
- Business Law
- Collections
- Criminal Law
- Education Law
- Elder Law
- Energy, Oil & Gas Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Intellectual Property
- Landlord Tenant
- Municipal Law
- Real Estate Law
- Trademarks
- Probate
- Animal & Dog Law
- Appeals & Appellate
- +12
- Business Law
- Collections
- Criminal Law
- Education Law
- Elder Law
- Energy, Oil & Gas Law
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Intellectual Property
- Landlord Tenant
- Municipal Law
- Real Estate Law
- Trademarks
- Michigan
- Probate
- Business Law
- Elder Law
- +2
- Estate Planning
- Real Estate Law
- Probate
- Business Law
- Elder Law
- +2
- Estate Planning
- Real Estate Law
- Georgia
- Probate
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Estate Planning
- Illinois
- Probate
- Business Law
- Collections
- +3
- Construction Law
- Estate Planning
- Landlord Tenant
- Probate
- Business Law
- Collections
- +3
- Construction Law
- Estate Planning
- Landlord Tenant
- Connecticut,
- Massachusetts,
- Rhode Island
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- +2
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Tax Law
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- +2
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Tax Law
- Arizona
- Probate
- Criminal Law
- Divorce
- +4
- Domestic Violence
- DUI & DWI
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Probate
- Criminal Law
- Divorce
- +4
- Domestic Violence
- DUI & DWI
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Connecticut,
- New York
- Probate
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business Law
- +10
- Criminal Law
- Divorce
- DUI & DWI
- Education Law
- Elder Law
- Employment Law
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- White Collar Crime
- Probate
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business Law
- +10
- Criminal Law
- Divorce
- DUI & DWI
- Education Law
- Elder Law
- Employment Law
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- White Collar Crime
- Florida
- Probate
- Criminal Law
- Divorce
- +6
- Family Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Workers' Compensation
- Probate
- Criminal Law
- Divorce
- +6
- Family Law
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Workers' Compensation
- Ohio,
- Pennsylvania
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Divorce
- +4
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Divorce
- +4
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- Illinois
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Divorce
- +5
- DUI & DWI
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- Traffic Tickets
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Divorce
- +5
- DUI & DWI
- Estate Planning
- Family Law
- Personal Injury
- Traffic Tickets
- Connecticut
- Probate
- Business Law
- Elder Law
- +2
- Estate Planning
- Real Estate Law
- Probate
- Business Law
- Elder Law
- +2
- Estate Planning
- Real Estate Law
Probate Lawyers by Legal Issue
Upon someone’s death, money, assets, and any other personal belongings are distributed according to the decedent’s wishes. This legal process is formally designated as probate. It can be advantageous to enlist a lawyer's expertise during this process. When is it appropriate to hire a probate lawyer, and what factors should be considered before making such a choice?
When Do You Need a Probate Lawyer?
Seeking the services of a probate attorney is beneficial in different circumstances, and typically, this depends on various factors related to a decedent’s estate and the complexity of laws. You may need a probate lawyer if:
The estate is complex, contested, or involves significant assets;
There are disputes or disagreements between beneficiaries or family members;
There is insufficient liquidity in assets to cover debts and taxes;
The will is contested, or its validity is questioned;
You’re not conversant with probate procedures and legal requirements.
Probate law firms or qualified attorneys managing such cases can reassure executors and beneficiaries that everything is handled legally and adequately.
What to Consider When Hiring a Probate Lawyer
If you're having trouble deciding between a few options or can't find trustworthy responses to the question, "Where to find probate lawyers near me?"
State and Practice Areas
- The first rule when hiring lawyers is that probate laws vary across states. The attorney must be licensed in the state where the probate proceeding has been filed.
- Confirm that probate and estate administration are their primary practice areas.
Background and Education
- Look for probate specialists who graduated from an accredited law school.
- Check if they have earned additional credentials, e.g., a certification in estate planning from reputable professional organizations.
Professional Record
- Attorneys probate related cases similar to yours must be documented in their professional records.
- An experienced probate attorney should efficiently deal with disputed wills, trusts, estates, or guardianship issues.
- Verify a lawyer's disciplinary history via the state bar association. Previous instances of being disciplined could cause concerns regarding their level of professionalism.
Reviews and Testimonials
- Check clients’ testimonials to determine whether they were satisfied with cooperation and succeeded in court.
- Pay attention to comments on an attorney's professionalism, promptness in responding to questions, and capability to explain complex legal principles clearly.
Verdicts and Settlements
- If you're wondering, "Will a probate attorney near me handle my case effectively?" Find information about the attorney's past case outcomes.
- Ask about verdicts and settlements – a history of favorable outcomes indicates proficiency in this legal area.
Initial Consultation
- Find out if lawyers for probate cases provide a complimentary first meeting to discuss your situation.
- Create a set of inquiries regarding their background, pricing system, projected deadlines, and any other questions related to your unique circumstances.
- To help make your discussion more efficient, bring relevant documents, such as the deceased's will and asset lists.
Explore Lawrina Match Probate Lawyer
It can be intimidating to navigate the complexities of estate settlement. You don't need to do it alone, though. Take advantage of Lawrina Match, a service that connects you with the best probate lawyer in your area. It's simple – just fill out a short form choosing the appropriate state and practice area, and you'll be matched with lawyers probate with the right expertise to guide you. On Lawrina Match, you can review the profiles of all lawyers, including their experience, practice areas, educational background, awards, or certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your executor is responsible for carrying out the instructions set out in your will. The trustee of a trust established in a will and probate has a similar role, but for a much longer period. Usually, the trustee is in charge until all assets have been distributed. Co-executors or co-trustees can be family members, children, friends, or financial institutions.
Trustees are also typically given some discretion over trust funds and when beneficiaries are to receive distributions.
Executors and trustees have significant responsibilities despite their simple titles. As part of their final tasks, creditors must be paid or negotiated with, beneficiaries must be notified and paid, the final tax return must be filed, and investments need to be managed. These are all important responsibilities.
You will have to wait for your case to be resolved depending on the circumstances. Depending on factors such as whether and how vigorously the case is defended, the availability and quality of evidence, and the availability of the court, the timeline can be affected.
Any debts you have at the time of your death must be settled, regardless of whether you have a will or a trust (or neither). Your property may need to be sold to pay debts if your assets are not liquid. Trustees and executors can negotiate with creditors to repay debts over time, and often do.