Probate Proceedings

“My loved one has passed away, what do I do now?”

“How can I amend my planning documents in the middle of contentious divorce proceedings?”

“I found a bank account my husband owned in his name only when he died twenty years ago without a will.”

“My sister is angry that our mother didn’t name her to be in charge of the estate.”  

Grieving for a loved one while attempting to administer their estate and managing the health care of a family member can be difficult, and we are here to advise you through the process.

Probate is the legal process involved in settling all aspects of property distribution, from real estate to bank accounts to your  father’s watch and Civil War  era handgun. Many people have not made wills or have attached sticky notes to personal possessions; we can advise how those common situations are handled. Some families discover hoarding situations they were unaware of or chose to ignore. We can suggest dumpster companies.

We navigate the complexity of this settlement process in a way that honors you and your family. We handle complicated situations and relationships effectively and thoughtfully.  

There are so many forms, contingencies and choices (not to mention challenging family members) that it’s difficult to get it right. We minimize fees and paperwork – and, when possible, help you avoid probate court.  Sometimes we’ve been asked to resolve legal work attempted by well-meaning family members.

However, we have seen it all, and we know how to solve the problems while keeping the process moving forward.