Probate or estate administration is the process for passing assets of a deceased person to his or her heirs, after the payment of creditors.

Any estate, with or without a will, must go through probate prior to the distribution to heirs. Our firm represents both personal representatives and beneficiaries in the probate process.

We represent clients with all types of estate, will, trust and probate issues.  Our attorneys are knowledgeable and understand the details of the often complex process.  We work hand in hand with the personal representative throughout the entire process. We take pride in our ability to minimize delays in the probate process and in handling probate matters as quickly as possible.

In assisting clients in planning their estate, a client may need documents such as a will, power of attorney, and Health Care Directive.

A will is a legal document that details show a person wants to dispose of his property at his death.  A power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes one person to act on behalf of someone else in a legal or business matter.  A Health Care Directive allows a person to name a power of attorney to make health care decisions for that person if that person cannot provide informed consent.  It also provides a section to determine end of life decisions, i.e. whether to prolong life or not to prolong life.

Our attorneys have extensive experience preparing these documents to best convey the clients' wishes and needs for the future.

Some of the most important decisions that our clients make involve the wise use and preservation of their assets and the making of provisions to pass those assets on to their family and loved ones.

The lawyers in our firm who counsel and represent clients on estate and probate matters are experienced in handling all aspects of these important matters for our client.

Our legal counseling and services related to the use, preservation, and eventual transfer of assets include:

  • Business succession planning.
  • The establishment of limited liability companies and other entities to protect family ownership and continuity.
  • The drafting and execution of a Last Will and Testament.
  • The drafting and execution of a Trust.
  • The drafting and execution of a Power of Attorney.
  • The drafting and execution of a Healthcare Directive.
  • The establishment of guardianships and conservatorship.
  • Planning regarding family members with special needs or situations.
  • The identification of potential family conflicts and the means to address them.
  • The probate of wills and will contests.
  • The administration of estates.

Our attorneys work closely with the clients in order to ensure that the client's needs are met in a timely and cost-effective manner.

As you consider your specific needs, please review our article on the benefits of a last will and testament, power of attorney and health care directive.