What is a Probate Lawyer?

If you are a personal representative or executor of an estate or even just a beneficiary, you may have heard the term “probate attorney” mentioned. You may wonder if you need to hire a lawyer to handle the estate or even question their job in handling an estate. It’s important in your job as the personal representative that you understand what a probate lawyer does, when they are necessary, and your role when working with one.

What is a Probate Lawyer Supposed to do in the Probate Process

A probate lawyer is an attorney who offers legal counsel and assistance to the personal representative or executor of an estate throughout the probate process. Probate is a complicated process that can take months to complete or even years in some cases.

There are numerous steps to the process which the personal representative is responsible to complete. They can also be held liable for mistakes that may occur during the process. A probate lawyer can help them navigate this complicated situation.

Is a Probate Attorney the Same as an Estate Attorney?

A probate lawyer may also be known as an estate attorney. The two terms technically mean the same thing. Sometimes people associate an estate attorney with a probate process that is larger and has more assets.

However, the lawyer can work with estates of any size as they go through probate. The lawyer can even guide the personal representative or beneficiaries to know when probate isn’t required.

What Does a Probate Attorney Do?

The role of a probate attorney can vary, depending on the size and complexity of the estate. In the simplest situations, they are knowledgeable on probate law and the nuances of specific state laws, and they may give legal advice, answer questions or direct the personal representative through the steps to complete the probate process.

In more complicated estates, the lawyer often has a significant role. They may help find, identify and secure the decedent’s assets. They can get appraisals for any real estate that belonged to the decedent.

Once the inventory is complete and creditors have been notified, the probate lawyer can help pay the debts of the estate. They may also assist with selling off assets to pay those debts if there aren’t enough liquid assets.

There can be a lot of paperwork in dispersing an estate. A lawyer can fill out those documents, such as preparing income tax returns. They will also be able to determine if an estate or inheritance tax is applicable and pay those taxes. The attorney may manage any checking accounts of the estate and collect proceeds from life insurance policies and other accounts.

Once the debts and taxes have been paid, the lawyer can help transfer assets from the decedent to the beneficiaries according to the directives in the will or according to state laws. They may be responsible for distributing the assets and closing probate for the estate once everything is finished.

One of the most important roles for a probate attorney is to deal with those who contest the will or creditors putting in a claim against the estate which the personal representative denies. In these situations, the lawyer may present supporting evidence to the court on behalf of the estate.

What Information to Know Before Contacting a Probate Attorney

Before you contact a probate attorney, you should know what you need them for. It’s helpful to have an idea of the assets owned by the estate and if you anticipate problems with beneficiaries or other involved parties.

Find out how the assets are being held. If they must go through probate, you may need to hire a lawyer. It’s also helpful to know if the estate qualifies for an informal probate process, which is usually a designated maximum dollar amount. Informal proceedings are usually less cumbersome and don’t need a lawyer.

When You Will Likely Need a Probate Attorney

Not all estates will need to hire a probate attorney. If the assets include a named beneficiary and the estate is below a certain dollar amount for value, the personal representative may not even need to go through probate.

In other cases, the probate process for the estate may move along smoothly with no need for legal advice from an attorney. However, there are other instances where a probate lawyer is helpful and even necessary for the estate to be dispersed.

If a contract is necessary during probate, a probate attorney may need to draft the document. For instance, a group of three siblings each inherits their parents’ home. Two of the siblings want to sell, but the third sibling wants to live in the home. The other two would need to sell their portions to the third sibling. A contract would be necessary to sell the property to the third sibling.

When an estate includes a business owned by the deceased, a lawyer is often needed to close the business, sell it or transfer ownership legally. If the business was a partnership, the decedent’s portion must be sold or transferred to the partner.

If a conflict arises about the will, a probate lawyer may be necessary to represent the estate. Perhaps a second set of children from a second spouse didn’t receive equal shares in the estate, and they are protesting. The lawyer would help settle the dispute or represent the estate and decedent’s wishes in court. Many times, the attorney can find a resolution without the delay and expense of taking the issue to court.

Sometimes, the wording of a will isn’t clear on certain points. A probate lawyer may be required to interpret the meaning or take the will to court to determine the interpretation. If the personal representative denies a claim made by a creditor, they may need a lawyer to defend their actions.

Hiring a probate attorney will cost money, so it’s important to know why you need one, when to hire one and when you can get by without one. However, they can make complex issues get resolved more easily and the probate process gets completed with fewer delays.

How a Probate Lawyer Advises and Assists a Personal Representative

Sometimes a personal representative may want to hire a probate lawyer to assist them through the probate process. They know they are responsible for the handling of the estate and may not feel comfortable with the weight of that task alone. An attorney can ensure they meet all the requirements of the job and protect them if the beneficiaries dispute their actions.

Probate lawyers can provide valuable assistance to the personal representative. Some ways they do that is as follows: