Manage Difficult Probate Issues With Experienced Legal Aid

Most people believe that once they draft a will, the process is done. Their assets will pass without problems. The person who wrote the will has finished their part, but it is just the beginning for their beneficiaries. After someone dies, their will has to go through probate and must be validated in court.

Probate can be difficult to deal with when you are grieving. You want an attorney who has your loved one's best interest at heart. I am attorney Ashlei Dior Gradney, I can work with you through probate to ease the stress of the legal details as you grieve.

What Is Probate?

Probate is the process, under the guidance of the court, that allows an estate to be settled. The purpose is to make sure that there is not any fraud, and that the deceased's wishes are upheld.

Essentially, the estate is frozen until the will is verified. It also allows the person's creditors and taxes to be paid before the estate is distributed according to the will and closed.

The Probate Process

The process involves quite a few steps, usually in this order:

• Appointing an executor
• Identifying/collecting the assets
• Paying creditors
• Settling probate disputes
• Distributing the assets

Assets to distribute can include:

• Boats
• Cash
• Investment securities (stocks and bonds)
• Jewelry
• Life insurance policies
• Real estate
• Retirement accounts
• Vehicles

Asset distribution is the final step because any state and federal taxes must be paid from the estate before distributing anything to the heirs.

If someone disputes a will, a judge will hear testimony and examine evidence. If the will is thrown out, a previous will can be enforced. The estate might also pass through intestate succession, meaning the probate court will determine who gets the assets.

You Can Ease This Complicated Process With Professional Guidance

Even the most accomplished executors often find that it is best to have a probate attorney at their side to help them overcome issues of accuracy and fairness. You want someone who will keep your loved one's interests at heart, someone who will make sure their estate is distributed as the way they wanted.

Contact me online or call 214-699-4068 to set up a consultation with me.